Stacy Barrett

Stacy Barrett

Attorney · UC Law San Francisco

Stacy Barrett started writing articles for Nolo as a freelancer in 2019. She became a full-time Legal Editor in 2021. Her articles appear on sites including Nolo.com, CriminalDefenseLawyer.com, Lawyers.com, AllLaw.com, and Avvo.com.

Education. Stacy has a B.A. from Northern Arizona University, where she graduated with highest honors, and a J.D. from UC Law San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings). She earned several academic awards from both institutions, including scholarships for academic achievement.

Legal career. Stacy began working as a criminal defense attorney in 2006. Her first job was with the Napa County Public Defender. She represented clients accused of misdemeanors and felonies. She also represented parents in civil contempt proceedings and patients facing involuntary civil commitments in state hospitals. In 2016, Stacy continued her work as a trial attorney at a private law firm. A few of Stacy's victories in trial court received national and international media coverage.

Other pursuits. Prior to her legal career, Stacy wrote feature articles for a small-town newspaper and copy pages for a national magazine in New York City. During law school she taught Street Law to middle school students receiving residential treatment in San Francisco. In 2019, she co-founded a program to support formerly incarcerated students in community college.

Why Nolo? Stacy's work as a deputy public defender, commitment to equity in education, and writing background led her to Nolo in 2019. She believes in Nolo's mission to provide all people, regardless of income level, the information they need to make important legal decisions.

Articles By Stacy Barrett

Legal Guide to Gender-Affirming Care
Anti-trans developments in states like Texas are shining a light on the legal rules around access to gender-affirming health care.
Roe v. Wade Overturned: What Does It Mean for Abortion Rights?
The Supreme Court has ended the constitutional right to an abortion. The procedure is now likely to be banned or heavily restricted in nearly half of the states.
How Much Will My Divorce Cost?
See what Nolo’s national survey showed about typical divorce costs, including what people pay when they hire lawyers and what they spend when they handle their own cases.
Astroworld: Concert Injury Lawsuits
Learn about lawsuits over the Astroworld tragedy and who’s legally responsible when concerts and other crowded events turn deadly.
How the Britney Spears Case Might Change Conservatorship Law Forever
In the fall of 2021, just about everywhere you'd turn—from gossip magazines, to Netflix, to Capitol Hill—people were talking about Britney Spears’s conservatorship. For more than a decade, Spears was under the court-approved control of her father, Jamie Spears. In late September 2021, a judge granted
Who Is Liable in a Self-Driving Car Crash?
As self-driving cars move out of science fiction and onto the nation's streets and highways, what happens when you're involved in an accident with a driverless vehicle?
Will My Medical Malpractice Claim Go to Arbitration?
You might have agreed to arbitrate (knowingly or not) rather than sue for medical malpractice, but you may still have options.
Parental Responsibility Laws and Personal Injury
Many people don't realize that parents can be held legally liable for the acts of their minor children.
Illinois Personal Injury Laws and Statutes of Limitations
Get an overview of the laws governing personal injury lawsuits in Illinois.
Hawaii Personal Injury Laws and Statutes of Limitations
Learn about personal injury fault and liability rules, damage caps, the statute of limitations, and more in Hawaii.