Masterson was well-known throughout his career for his devotion to his clients. His goal was always to do what was in the best interest of his client, but never at the expense of others. He refused to take advantage of the inexperience of his opposing counsel. He refused to denigrate other lawyers or witnesses to advance his case at trial. He refused to file suits he did not believe in, saying he "had no business filing a medical malpractice case that was in any respect dubious, that all doubts about filing the suit should be resolved in favor of the defendant doctor." His idea of discovery was to open his file to the other side and say, "Here is my case. If you need anything else, let me know and I will get it for you."

Masterson earned the respect of others by treating everyone - be they clients, judges, other lawyers or opposing parties - with respect. For example, in a medical malpractice case, Masterson was taking the deposition of a doctor who was a witness to some of the events giving rise to the case. During the course of the deposition, it became obvious that the doctor would have to be made a party to the suit. Rather than simply serving the doctor with a summons, Masterson asked if he could speak with the doctor in his office after the deposition. There, Masterson explained that he was going to have to include the doctor in the suit and explained why. Years later, Masterson's son, Tom - also an attorney - needed to depose the same doctor in another case. With some trepidation, Tom called the doctor and introduced himself, expecting caution or even anger since his father had previously sued the doctor. Instead, the doctor greeted Tom warmly, asked about Masterson, and went on to praise Masterson for his professionalism and graciousness in handling the prior suit.

In addition to his law practice, Masterson was active in politics and Bar activities. He headed several political campaigns and fund-raising drives for local Democratic candidates. He was appointed by several Florida governors to various commissions concerning medical malpractice and Florida's malpractice insurance crisis. He served as a City Judge for the City of Pinellas Park. During his years of practice, he served as president of the Pinellas County Trial Lawyers Association and President and Treasurer of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers. He was a member of the Judicial Nominating Commission for the Florida Second District Court of Appeal and a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He was also active in the Trial Lawyers Section of the Florida Bar and was famous for his memorable lecture on "How to Try a Dog." In addition, he was an Adjunct Professor at Stetson University College of Law in St. Petersburg.

Despite his busy legal schedule, Masterson did not let the law take over his life. He enjoyed traveling, particularly to Ireland and throughout the Northeast United States. He loved Shakespeare, classical music and classic movies. He was an avid tennis player, especially when he could play doubles. As in court, his graciousness and humor would disarm his opponent, and he would then take them apart point by point.
One of the most powerful testimonials to Masterson's legal career is the fact that following his death, two separate groups independently created a "Barney Masterson Award" in his memory. The Barney Masterson American Inn of Court gives the "Barney" award annually to that Inn member who best exemplifies the qualities Masterson expressed, including the highest levels of professionalism, civility, ethics, and legal excellence. The Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers award in honor of Masterson is given to an attorney recognized as an excellent advocate who has had a distinguished career and who has an "unimpeachable reputation with both the defense and plaintiff's bar for ethical and moral behavior and fair play in the practice of law."

Upon his passing in 1994, Masterson left his wife, Stella, four children, Thomas, Steven, Michael and Sharon, and ten grandchildren. At a memorial service for Masterson, former Florida Bar President Bill Blews said of him, "Barney practiced as he lived - with modesty, honesty, integrity, good humor and respect for all. It has been said that to be a good lawyer, first you must be a good person. Barney was the best."
Thomas D. Masterson

Tom practiced law in St. Petersburg for 44 years. For the first 19 years of his career, he practiced with his father, Barney Masterson, who founded the firm in 1963. Tom emulated the professionalism of his father in every way by practicing law in the same manner in which he lived life – with modesty, honesty, integrity, good humor and respect for all. Tom was a highly respected, board-certified trial lawyer and beloved member of our legal community. He was actively involved in a number of legal organizations during his career and served in many leadership roles, including past President of the St. Petersburg Bar Association, past President of the St. Petersburg Bar Foundation, past President of the Pinellas County Trial Lawyers Association, past President of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the America Board of Trial Advocates, past Chairman of the Trial Lawyers Section of The Florida Bar and past Chairman of the Professional Negligence Section of the American Association of Justice (formerly Association of Trial Lawyers of America), along with numerous other positions. Tom was a widely published author of legal teaching aids and a frequent guest lecturer at civil trial and professionalism seminars. He received numerous awards and honors during his career, including the Professionalism Award from the St. Petersburg Bar Association and most notably, the BJ Masterson Professionalism Award from the Florida Justice Association, among others. Tom was dedicated to the law and always showed the utmost respect to his clients, opposing counsel, and the court. He was deeply committed to seeking justice for his clients and represented every client with compassion and exceptional legal skill. Tom refused to allow a terminal disease to alter his unwavering commitment to his clients, choosing to continue working on cases in the final stages of his fight against cancer. 

The Florida Justice Association established the B.J. Masterson Award for Professionalism in his honor in 1996 to pay tribute to his values and esteemed character.B.J. Masterson served the legal community with the highest degree of ethical professionalism. B.J. established a reputation for holding himself and his practice accountable to the highest ethical standards.