Barbara J. Wagner

Barbara J. Wagner is a member of Barnwell Whaley in Charleston whose practice includes Civil Litigation, Insurance Defense, Toxic Torts, Construction Law, products liability, professional malpractice, and related disputes. Her background is distinctive because she combines legal training with advanced scientific education and prior work as a research chemist and college chemistry professor. Wagner applies that technical experience to matters involving scientific evidence, alleged exposures, products, construction defects, insurance issues, and complex liability questions.

Wagner earned a B.S. from Indiana University, a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of California, Davis, and a Juris Doctorate, magna cum laude, from Charleston School of Law. Before entering legal practice, she worked in scientific research and teaching and is named on multiple U.S. patents. Her combined science and legal education supports close analysis of technical records, expert opinions, causation issues, and the scientific concepts that can be central to toxic tort and product cases.

Wagner’s practice covers asbestos litigation, bad faith, condominium and property-owner association law, construction disputes, directors and officers liability, insurance coverage, personal injury, products liability, professional malpractice, and toxic torts. Her scientific background is especially relevant in cases involving chemicals, exposure, product composition, and competing expert theories. She also has experience with professional and bar leadership, including work connected to construction-law and local bar organizations.

Barbara J. Wagner has received professional recognition for insurance and litigation work and is active in the Charleston legal community. Her practice brings together scientific literacy, legal analysis, and civil litigation experience in matters that can involve highly technical evidence. By helping clients evaluate expert testimony, understand liability issues, and develop litigation strategy, she provides practical representation in complex insurance, construction, product, professional, and toxic tort disputes.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Barnwell Whaley Patterson & Helms, LLC
• Member, South Carolina Bar
• Board Member, Charleston School of Law Foundation (2021)
• Pupilage Group Leader, James L. Petigru American Inn of Court (2017-2018)
• Construction Chair, South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys Association
• Executive Committee, Charleston County Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, American Chemical Society

Licensed State

• South Carolina

Education

• Charleston School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD) Magna Cum Laude
• University of California, Davis
  Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Organic Chemistry
• Indiana University
  Bachelor of Science (BS)

Awards & Badges