Erik D. Baines
Biography
Erik was born in Virginia and raised in Northern California. He returned to Virginia as a high school student and attended first Fishburne Military School in Waynesboro, Virginia. After Fishburne, he attended the Virginia Military Institute from which he graduated with honors in 2002. Prior to law school, Erik enjoyed time spent as a teacher to middle and high school students. Erik graduated from the University of Richmond School of Law and was inducted into the Order of the Coif. Erik is married with a daughter and two sons as well as a menagerie of pets. His leisure interests include spending time with his wife and children and outdoor recreational activities, such as hiking, camping, backpacking, and kayaking.
Education
- University of Richmond, School of Law, Richmond, Virginia
- Honors: Order of the Coif
- Honors: First Place 2012 Walter Scott McNeill Legal Writing Competition
- Honors: RBA Young Lawyers Section Scholarship
- Honors: CALI Awards for Excellence: (1) Property, (2) Bankruptcy, (3) Secured Transactions, (4) Remedies, and (5) Tax Policy.
- Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia
- B.A., Bachelor of Arts – 05/2002
- Honors: First Standing Graduate in the History curriculum
- Honors: Marshall Table (Omicron Delta Kappa)
- Major: International Studies; History, Minors: German; German Culture
Past Positions
- Associate, Barnes & Diehl, P.C. (2014-2024)
- Adjunct Faculty, Virginia Commonwealth University (2012-2017)
- Associate, Hull Street Law (2013-2014)
- Law Clerk, City of Richmond Circuit Court (2012-2013)
- Law Student Intern, Jeanette Lipman Family Law Clinic (2011-2012)
- Law Student Intern, Chesterfield County Commonwealth Attorney's Office (2011)
- Law Student Intern, Boleman Law Firm (2010-2011)
Professional Associations
- Member, Board of Trustees, Fishburne-Hudgins Educational Foundation
Practice Areas
- Family Law
- Criminal Defense
- Estate Planning
Classes & Seminars
- Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (February 2020) – Child Abuse or Corporal Punishment?
- Richmond Bench Bar (October 2022) – Subpoenas Duces Tecum
Current Employment Position
- Attorney
Published Works
- Children's Testimony in Custody and Visitation Case, Virginia Family Law Quarterly (Fall, 2014)
- Update on Family Law (Fall 2014-2017)
- Family Status and Today's Families, 47 Rich. L. Rev. 729 (January, 2013)
- 21st Century Jury Issues, 43rd Annual Criminal Law Seminar (contributing author) (2013)
- “Essentials of Handling No-Fault Divorces in Virginia” (Fall 2018)
- Annual Fall “Update on Family Law” (2018-2022)
- Annual Spring “Update on Family Law” (2018-2022)
Honors
- Selected to Super Lawyers Super Lawyer (2024)
- Selected to Up and Coming Lawyers by Virginia Lawyers Weekly, 2018
- Selected to Super Lawyers Rising Stars (2016)