Robert Barnhart

Assistant Professor

Department

• Law School

Contact Information

• rbarnhart13@law.capital.edu
• Capital University Law School

Biography

Robert Barnhart joined the faculty at Capital University Law School in 2022 after over fifteen years as a practicing attorney in Columbus, Ohio. He graduated in 2003 from Ohio University with a B.A. in Philosophy and in 2006, he earned his J.D. from the University of Notre Dame Law School where he served as the Executive Articles Editor for The Notre Dame Law Review.He began his career as a prosecuting attorney in the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office before opening the Barnhart Law Office LLC to provide criminal defense services in Columbus and the surrounding areas. He transitioned from private practice to work in the Death Penalty Division at the Ohio Public Defender’s Office where he worked on death penalty trials, appeals, post-conviction actions, and sought clemency from the Ohio Parole Board and Governor for death-sentenced individuals. Prior to joining Capital, Professor Barnhart worked in the felony trial division of the Franklin County Public Defender’s Office. Professor Barnhart has represented hundreds of clients in Ohio in criminal cases.At Capital, Professor Barnhart teaches Criminal Law and Evidence. He researches and writes in those areas.