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Patrick T. Barone
Barone Defense Firm
280 N. Old Woodward Ave.
Suite 200
Birmingham, MI 48009
Phone: 248-594-4554
Website: baronedefensefirm.com



About Patrick T. Barone
Patrick T. Barone is the founding partner and CEO of The Barone Defense Firm, headquartered in Birmingham, Michigan, with offices in Grand Rapids. He is a nationally recognized leader in DUI defense, including complex cases involving serious injury or death. He is the author of five books—including the two-volume treatise Defending Drinking Drivers, Michigan DUI Law: A Citizen’s Guide, and Michigan Gun Law: Armed and Educated—six book chapters, and more than 130 articles published in legal and scientific journals. Mr. Barone is a thought leader on the integration of AI into DUI practice, presenting nationally on how it can support legal research, case analysis, and persuasive storytelling in the courtroom. He is also an expert in challenging forensic evidence, including breath, blood, and field sobriety testing, and has been judicially qualified as an expert in DUI investigations and SFST protocols. A board-certified educator, trainer and practitioner of Psychodrama, Sociometry, and Group Psychotherapy, Mr. Barone employs these techniques to uncover the emotional truth of each case, enabling jurors to connect deeply with the client’s story. As a faculty member with the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan (CDAM) Trial Practice College, he teaches trial skills through psychodrama-based methods, helping lawyers develop authentic, emotionally resonant advocacy. He is a sought-after speaker on DUI defense tactics, forensic evidence, and emerging legal technology. A consistent inclusion in Best Lawyers in America and AV Preeminent-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, he is known for his innovative legal strategies and commitment to protecting clients’ rights, reputations, and futures.
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Virtual Forensic Library

NCDD members have access to a comprehensive forensic library that provides invaluable information to be used when defending clients charged with DUI.
This library includes scientific articles on drug and alcohol intoxication, toxicology and pharmacology, methods of testing for blood alcohol content, field sobriety testing, potential errors that may occur during testing, accident reconstruction, expert testimony, and evidentiary rules. This valuable information can ensure that you provide a high quality defense to clients charged with DUI based on the circumstances of their case and the laws in their state.
FROM OUR BLOG
Ethics Task Force Blog
04/15/2025
Written by Jonathan Dichter The Heart of Client Care: Moving Beyond Case Management In the legal profession, we often talk about "case management" - the systems and processes that keep our cases moving efficiently. But what about *client care*? True client care goes beyond deadlines and filings; it's about treating clients as *people*-scared, uncertain, and in need of guidance. And when done...
Personal Contact: Using the Officer's Observations Against Them
03/10/2025
Written by Charles GoodwinEdited by Michelle Behan and Steven Hernandez The typical DUI investigation has three phases. It begins with the vehicle in motion and focuses on driving patterns that officers are trained might indicate impairment. Next is personal contact, where the officer will observe physical manifestations that are also purportedly correlated with alcohol ingestion and impairment. Finally, the officer will...