Robert Barnett, a Washington, D.C. lawyer known for representing prominent politicians and leading figures in television news, passed away Friday after a lengthy illness. He was 79 years old.
Rita Braver, a former CBS News correspondent and Barnett’s wife, confirmed that he passed away in a Washington hospital.
Barnett, a senior partner at the Washington law firm Williams & Connolly, was the lawyer that politicians and public officials often turned to when leaving public service. He was known for negotiating lucrative book deals, securing multimillion-dollar contracts for former Presidents Obama, Clinton, and George W. Bush.
Barnett was also deeply involved in Democratic politics. He frequently practiced with candidates by playing the role of their opponent, helping to prepare Al Gore and Joe Lieberman for the 2000 election, John Kerry and John Edwards in 2004, Hillary Clinton during her first presidential run in 2008, and Geraldine Ferraro when she ran for Vice President in 1984.
In a 2008 interview with CNN, Barnett said she often provoked Ferraro, leading to physical altercations. According to Barnett, Ferraro would frequently hit her on the arm, and Barnett ultimately left the situation bruised and upset.
Barnett served as Bill Clinton’s practice opponent for debates during the 1992 presidential campaign. He also provided counsel to the Clintons during two difficult times: the suicide of White House aide Vince Foster in 1993, and the public revelation of Bill Clinton’s affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.
Barnett’s clients in the television news industry included well-known figures like Brian Williams (formerly of NBC News), Lesley Stahl of “60 Minutes,” CNN’s Sanjay Gupta, Chris Wallace, and NBC News’ Andrea Mitchell. He also represented Fox News personalities Jesse Watters and Peter Doocy, as well as his wife, whom he’d been married to since 1972.
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Over a 58-year career, Leibner successfully negotiated contracts for some of the most prominent and highly-paid figures in network news, such as Diane Sawyer, Dan Rather, and Mike Wallace.
Barnett also navigated Ann Curry’s messy exit from NBC’s “Today” in 2012.
Barnett was a lawyer who had a reputation for creating agreements specifically designed to help his clients.
In 2008, Barnett explained to the Financial Times that people leaving government positions often receive many job offers. He said his firm starts by understanding what the individual wants – where they want to live, and whether their priority is financial gain or personal enjoyment.
Many clients preferred Barnett because he charged a flat hourly rate instead of a commission. This meant they avoided the typical 10-15% fees agents usually take from salaries or book deals.
Barnett’s clients believed he gave them 100% regardless of their stature.
Retired journalist Judy Muller shared on Facebook that Bob skillfully represented her during negotiations with ABC, making her feel valued and treated with the same care as his high-profile clients. She described him as a genuinely kind and intelligent person.
The sentiment was shared by CBS News Executive Editor Susan Zirinsky.
Zirinsky recalled that anyone who worked with Bob could trust him completely with their confidential information. She described him as someone who always had people’s backs and kept their secrets safe.
Barnett also drew praise from the companies that paid the lucrative contracts for his TV clients.
In a statement, Fox News Media CEO Suzanne Scott said that his honesty, good advice, and understanding of the company were incredibly helpful to her over their 30 years working together.
Barnett also represented bestselling authors James Patterson and Mary Higgins Clark.
Born in Waukegan, Illinois, Barnett grew up in a family where his father managed the local Social Security office and his mother worked part-time at a department store. He went on to earn a degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin, followed by a law degree from the University of Chicago.
Let me tell you about this guy’s early career – it’s fascinating. He landed in Washington D.C. back in the early seventies and immediately started building an impressive resume. He got a prestigious clerkship with Supreme Court Justice Byron White, then transitioned into a role assisting Senator Walter Mondale. By 1975, he’d joined the firm Williams & Connolly, and he clearly made an impact – they made him a partner just three years later. Talk about a fast track!
He is survived by his wife, as well as his daughter, Meredith Barnett, a sister, and three grandchildren.
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2025-09-27 00:32