July 06, 2021
Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, P.L.L.C. deeply regrets to announce that partner Chris Barrier passed away on July 3, 2021, in Little Rock. He was 78 years of age.
“Chris was a leader in our firm’s real estate practice and in our community. He was an outstanding lawyer and even better person,” said Managing Director Jeff Thomas. “Anyone who has admired the artwork in our Little Rock office knows of Chris’s strong artistic sensibilities as he was primarily responsible for building the firm’s corporate art collection. What a wonderful legacy he has left with us and we will greatly miss him.”
Barrier earned his Juris Doctor from Duke University and a Bachelor of Arts from Hendrix College where he was presented the 2011 Humanitarian Award, an honor given annually to an alumnus who has significantly improved the quality of life in the world through service and dedication to humanity. He joined Mitchell Williams in August 1967 and was one of the firm’s first associates hired. He became a firm partner in January 1971.
Barrier concentrated his law practice on real estate, secured lending and municipal finance. During his career, he was recognized by “The Best Lawyers in America” and Chambers USA for real estate law, land use and zoning law, and municipal law. He also served as chairman of the Arkansas Bar Association’s banking law section and the real estate section.
Because of his love, passion and knowledge of art, Barrier became the firm’s art partner. He established the firm’s corporate art collection and was responsible for selecting and purchasing art with the concerted effort to build a collection of works by Arkansas artists.
Barrier was born November 2, 1942 in Jacksonville, Fla. He is survived by his beloved wife Nan Selz, his loving daughters Catherine Barrier of Little Rock and SevaPriya Sarah Barrier of Alachua, Florida, and by his wonderful grandchildren Lucy Eleanor Dugan and Tamal Holzman Barrier. He is also survived by his brother Michael and wife Phyllis of Little Rock, by Emily Charles Barrier, the mother of his daughters, and by his stepsons Micah Brown and Jacob Brown.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, July 6 at 2:00 p.m. at the Temple, 3700 Rodney Parham Road in Little Rock. For more information on Barrier’s legacy, his obituary is available here.