Melody barnes biography obama

American lawyer and political advisor

Melody C. Barnes (born April 29, ) is an American lawyer and political advisor. Formerly an aide and chief counsel to SenatorEdward M.

Kennedy on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Barnes later worked at the Center for American Progress, a think tank, before joining Senator Barack Obama's presidential campaign.

Melody barnes biography obama

After Obama took office as president, Barnes was appointed director of the Domestic Policy Council, serving in that post from January to January After leaving the White House, Barnes assumed roles at the Aspen Institute and New York University.

Since , she has been at the University of Virginia, where she teaches law and is the co-director of the UVA Democracy Initiative.

Early life and education

Barnes was born on April 29, , and grew up in Richmond, Virginia.^[1] Barnes's father Charles H.

Barnes Jr. was a civilian employee of the U.S. Army, and her mother Mary Frances Rogers Barnes (–) was a teacher.^[