Barnes was the driving force behind the establishment of Sedgwick's African American Lawyers Forum in 2002, and he remains the chair of that group. He co-chairs the firm's Inclusion and Diversity Committee and is actively involved in pipeline and mentoring activities. His work with the Los Angeles County Bar's Subcommittee on Diversity in the Profession involves local high school students, the Posse Foundation and SAGE (Summer Associate Girls Inc. Externship). Barnes is also the co-chair of the Programs Committee for the California Minority Counsel Program and active in the Minority Corporate Counsel Association.