Barry Selvidge works tirelessly as a registered civil mediator in Georgia mediating and arbitrating business matters and employment issues, but his passion for music and the arts has created a journey that has been anything but conventional law practice. His legal career is just one facet of his interesting life. Barry brings over forty years of experience in diverse legal and business roles, most recently Of Counsel for Cobb Law Group. With a deep passion and lifelong connection to music, he has added a new role that brings together his love for the arts, his legal career and his desire to make a difference in the community. Barry now serves as Chairman of the Board for the Oconee Performing Arts Society (OPAS) in Greensboro, Georgia, a position he will hold for a two-year term.

Hailing from a family of musicians, music is more than a hobby or a career for Selvidge. It has been a part of his life since childhood when at the young age of five years old, he came home from church and recalled a melody by ear on the piano. Growing up, Selvidge had a natural gift playing the piano. This innate talent and his passion have opened many doors in his life. His love for music did not stop at the piano. As he grew older, this gift would evolve over time into a full-fledged passion for music, which led him to explore other instruments. He expanded his talents by picking up the guitar and clarinet and enjoys a variety of genres and styles of music. He has always made time for his musical passion, even while pursuing his education. In fact, you might have found Barry playing a gig around town during his college and law school days as he supported himself through school by playing music. Little did he know that these experiences would shape his future and intertwine his legal career with this passion for the arts.

Not only was his personal life shaped by his musical journey, his professional career was as well. As an attorney, Barry has been involved in entertainment law where he found success advising musicians and performers such as backup singers from well-known musical groups such as Steely Dan, Boz Scaggs, Al Jarreau and Miami Sound Machine to name a few. He has helped clients navigate complex contracts with his contract review and negotiation skills, doing so many times pro bono due to his passion for the industry.

Beyond the business side of entertainment, Barry has always felt a deep connection to the power of the arts. He believes that art, whether music, theater or dance, has the ability to transform individuals, particularly with young people. This passion has led him to his current position as Chairman of the Board for OPAS (www.opas.org), a non-profit organization that presents a variety of high-quality arts experiences while helping to foster a sense of shared community through the arts. The organization is dedicated to enriching the community through the arts with a mission to bring world class talent to the area and foster arts education. As part of this mission, OPAS provides programs to local schools, bringing opportunities that many children would otherwise not experience. OPAS endeavors to have a tangible impact and to inspire them to pursue creative outlets to build confidence, critical thinking skills and skills of self-expression. The arts education programs, which send professional musicians and performers into local schools, have introduced countless children to the joys of the arts.

For Selvidge, his role as Chairman is fueled by his passion. His experience in the entertainment industry is invaluable to this role. As an attorney with these years of experience, Barry brings a unique perspective as Chairman. His legal expertise is beneficial for the organization in areas such as risk management, helping to ensure that the organization can continue to operate effectively. As Chairman of the Board, Barry has found a way to merge his legal background with his passion, while giving back to his community. Not surprisingly, you may find Barry around the community playing a gig with GridRocked, his current classic rock band or serving as keyboardist for the praise team at Lake Oconee Church. Barry’s journey, both legal and artistic, is an example of the impact of combining passion with purpose.

This is just one example of our highly-qualified neutrals at the Georgia Center for Arbitration & Mediation.  Barry exemplifies the balance, the experience, and the creative problem-solving solutions that each of our amazing mediators and arbitrators imbue.  If you need to schedule a mediation or arbitration, please contact us to meet Barry or another neutral to help you solve your business or legal problems without the need of an expensive attorney.