Brent advises clients on environmental compliance issues, defends companies in environmental litigation, and represents clients on related administrative and regulatory matters. For over two decades, Brent has practiced in the area of environmental law, representing major utilities, energy companies and other businesses in environmental matters, including cases alleging violations of federal and state water, waste, chemical and air laws, as well as state common laws such as nuisance and trespassing. In light of the number and variety of environmental laws he has faced throughout his career, Brent has established a understanding of the challenges companies encounter when facing environmental administrative and litigation matters.

Brent has represented defendants in significant environmental cases, including cases that have been heard in the Circuit Courts of Appeals and the Supreme Court of the United States. He possess a valuable blend of experience as a litigator and a regulatory advisor on both energy and environmental law and he has been instrumental to the establishment and development of the firm’s coal ash and waste management practices. Within the past the last several years alone, he has handled over 35 separate administrative and litigation matters involving coal ash for clients throughout the country. These matters have included general compliance advice, as well as defending citizen suits brought under federal environmental laws including the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), enforcement actions brought by government agencies, and private actions asserting nuisance and other common law claims. Brent acted as counsel for a major utility in one of the first cases alleging violations of RCRA related to the storage and management of coal ash.

Brent is licensed to practice in all federal and state courts in North Carolina, as well as the US Supreme Court. He has performed pro bono work with the Children’s Law Center and Legal Services of North Carolina, both based in Charlotte. For the past six years, Brent has been recognized as a Leader in Environment Law, North Carolina, by Chambers USA.

Bar Admissions

Education
JD, Case Western Reserve University School of Law, cum laude, 2002

BA, History, Furman University, Four-year Varsity Soccer Letterman, 1999

• Regularly represents major electric utilities throughout the country in all aspects of defense of actions brought under the New Source Review provisions of the Clean Air Act.
• Represented utility in successful 8th Circuit appeal in suit alleging Clean Air Act violations, which was identified as one of the most significant environmental decisions of 2010.
• Represented Fortune 10 company in defense of product liability action.
• Represented Fortune 10 company in breach of contract action against major supplier.
• Represented most of the industrial base in the country in challenges to EPA regulations.
• Regularly represents major utilities in environmental litigation related to the storage and disposal of coal combustion residuals, including coal ash.
• Regularly represents major utility trade associations in environmental litigation and regulatory matters.
• Represented Fortune 150 utility in citizen suit alleging noncompliance with Section 112(g) of the Clean Air Act.
• Represented Fortune 150 utility in administrative proceeding and related litigation involving an air quality permit issued by state agency.
• Represented developer in litigation arising out of planned major residential development involving over 3,500 acres and 1,400 home sites.
• Represented charitable organization in property dispute involving nearly 300 acres of North Carolina coastal property.
• Represented two NASCAR teams in breach of contract actions against former employees.
• Represents Fortune 100 company in defense of actions brought by injured employees.
• Represented nationwide supplier of building materials and construction services in construction litigation.
• Represented Fortune 500 company in an options backdating investigation involving the SEC and the Department of Justice.
• Represented major hospital in an investigation initiated by the US Department of Labor.
• Represented one of the country's largest construction firms during a federal investigation related to allegations of political kickbacks and fraud. 
• Represented major hospital in cases alleging medical negligence.

• Member, Board of Directors, Carolinas Freedom Foundation, 2018-present
• Member, Board of Directors, Charlotte Hornets’ Nest Girl Scouts Council, March 2010–December 2013; Chair, Board Development Committee; Chair, Property Committee; Member, CEO Search Committee
• Member, Mecklenburg County Bar
• Member, North Carolina Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association

• 2017 Chambers USA Environment Law Firm of the Year
• Listed as a Future Litigation Star, North Carolina, Benchmark Litigation, 2009
• Named among the Top 40 Litigation Lawyers Under 40 in North Carolina, The American Society of Legal Advocates, 2013
• Featured in “The Footsteps of His Father,” Rising Stars profile, Super Lawyers Magazine, February 2012
• Selected as a Rising Star for Environmental Litigation Law, North Carolina Super Lawyers magazine, 2012-2017. A description of the selection methodology can be found on Super Lawyers’ webpage.
• Named to the Pro Bono Honor Roll by Legal Services of Southern Piedmont and Legal Aid of North Carolina, Charlotte, 2012, 2014
• Recipient, E. Randolph Williams Award for Exceptional Pro Bono Service, Hunton & Williams, 2008-2010 

• Bank liability may increase, Charlotte Business Journal
• The WIIN Act: A Path to Risk-Based Management of Coal Ash, The Nickel Report
• Article III standing still proving to be a formidable defense to environmental citizen suits, Westlaw Today
• Previously Unregulated Coal Ash Facilities May Become Regulated, CoalAge
• Mortgage and Asset Back Securities Litigation Handbook, Section 5.1 Litigating Origination-Based Claims Involving Securitized Loans
• District Court Dismisses First Ever CCR Rule Citizen Suit, The Nickel Report
• More businesses to face EPA rules, Charlotte Business Journal
• Supplement or Supplant? Recent Judicial Decisions Seemingly Endorse Citizen-Suit Role Beyond Clean Water Act’s Intent., Washington Legal Foundation
• EPA’s Expansion of Coal Ash Regulation Could Impact Beneficial Use, Power Magazine