Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Hon. Suzanne Maxwell Barnes is a judge for the Erie County Court in the Eighth Judicial District of New York. She was elected to the County Court in November 2018.

While on the bench, she has presided over felony criminal matters.

Maxwell Barnes received a B.A. from St. Lawrence University in 1984. She then completed a J.D. at the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law in 1987.

Prior to joining the bench, Maxwell Barnes worked as a court attorney referee with the New York State Unified Court System. As such, she conducted pretrial conferences, hearings and trials. She also spent time as an assistant district attorney, handling grand jury assignments and felony trials until leaving the public sector to become a criminal defense attorney.

Her memberships included the Board of Directors of Lawyers for Learning.

Maxwell Barnes was endorsed by both the Erie County Democratic and Conservative parties as well as the Unity Coalition. She was rated “highly qualified” by the Women’s Bar Association of Western New York.

At the time of her election, she resided in Orchard Park. Her husband, Richard Barnes, is an attorney in Buffalo, New York, and they have five children.

Maxwell Barnes is registered as a Democrat.