Lawyer, Coach, and Wrestler: An Interview with Denver Attorney Travis Barbarick

There is an old Zen proverb that goes like this: “Before enlightenment, chop wood and carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood and carry water.”

Travis Barbarick, a Denver attorney with The Babcock Law Firm, likes to reflect on this proverb from time to time. He takes it to mean that you need to do the little things to develop your skills, but even after you’ve achieved a certain level of competence, you need to continue to do the little things to hone your skills.

Travis has been developing and honing his skills as a workers’ compensation and personal injury attorney for more than a decade.

Early success

The son of a teacher, Travis has always enjoyed helping others. He also recognized from a young age that he is stubborn and loves to debate anyone about anything. He thought the law was the perfect marriage of these interests.

After graduating magna cum laude from the University of Central Missouri, where he was captain of the wrestling team and a 3-time Academic All-American, Travis attended the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law.

During law school, Travis clerked for the Honorable Judge George W. Draper III at the Missouri Supreme Court and worked for the office of the public defender. Although he loved both positions, his first job after graduating from law school in 2014 was very different. He worked on mergers and acquisitions for large businesses.

It didn’t take long before Travis began missing helping everyday people. He applied for a job representing injured workers and has never looked back.

Legal career

Travis joined The Babcock Law Firm in Denver, Colorado, after practicing workers’ compensation law at another firm for 5 years. At The Babcock Law Firm, Travis focuses on workers’ compensation and personal injury cases.

Travis is a member of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, the Workers’ Compensation Education Association, the Colorado Bar Association, and the Workers’ Injury Law and Advocacy Group. Although he has won some “big” cases in his career, Travis believes that all of his cases are equally important.

“What does Tom Brady say when asked about which is his favorite Super Bowl? ‘The next one.’ Every case has unique factors that make it important in one way or another.”

Travis knows that litigation can be frustrating for both the attorney and the client. The importance of helping a client during what is undoubtedly one of the toughest moments of their life keeps Travis motivated, but he stresses that accident victims should take the time to find the right attorney for them. That’s why Travis offers free, no-obligation consultations.

“Competency and honesty. Whether or not an attorney has these qualities will be obvious in the attorney’s presentation and how they answer your questions. You will feel whether the attorney is right for you in your gut.”

Family life

Travis likes to joke that he is a part-time youth sports coach. He has 2 young sons that play youth sports all year round. Travis’ father was a high school coach and, like his father, Travis finds a ton of joy in coaching kids.

Between practicing law, coaching, and other parenting duties, Travis’ days are pretty busy.

“There is very little couch time in the Barbarick household.”

On those rare evenings when he can kick off his shoes and unwind, you’re likely to find Travis turning on The Lincoln Lawyer and watching his favorite fictional attorney Mickey Haller go to work.