Leslie Barnes
Leslie provides strategic business and legal support to the teams within Arnold Ventures with respect to government affairs activities, policy-related communications, advocacy activities, political engagement, and advocacy grantmaking.
Leslie comes to Arnold Ventures with 14 years of political law experience. She served as general counsel to the Indiana Election Division, Indiana Election Commission, and the Indiana Recount Commission where she advised state and local election officials, political party committees, and political action committees on election and campaign finance laws. Leslie also served as in-house counsel to Alliance for Justice and Alliance for Justice Action Campaign and provided legal guidance to nonprofits and funders alike to support their policy advocacy.
Leslie has been actively involved with area nonprofits and educational initiatives, having served on the board of Alliance for Safe Traffic Stops and finance committee of the Jane Pauley Community Health Center. She earned her J.D. from Indiana University, Maurer School of Law and received her B.A. from Purdue University.