A member of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion team, Brent oversees the firm’s pro bono work on civil rights litigation, mentoring associates and advising on cases.
Brent began his legal career with 15 years in the City of St. Louis Law Department where he represented the City in a wide variety of litigation, particularly negligence tort and civil rights cases. A former broadcast journalist, Brent has always excelled at oral argument, and he thrived on the frequent jury trials. He eventually advanced into a management position where he continued to litigate his own caseload but also mentored and advised younger attorneys—a role he quickly discovered he loved.
Brent’s time with the City fostered a passion for the jury trial system and for high-quality representation for all. While his experience gave him a deep appreciation for the government’s work and good intentions, he also saw firsthand where cases can go wrong and how the system can fail. Brent strongly believes that attorneys have an obligation to ensure everyone’s equal access to the courthouse, which is fundamental to the U.S. Constitution—after all, what good are our rights if we can’t all enforce them in court?
At Husch Blackwell, Brent serves in a mentoring and management role for the firm’s pro bono civil rights litigation, supporting the associates who often take lead roles in these cases. He jumped at the opportunity to take on a position where he could combine his love of trial advocacy, mentorship and civil rights work. Brent was also thrilled to discover a law firm where such a unique job existed—a sign, he realized, of Husch Blackwell’s deep commitment to ensuring that not only is pro bono work done, but that it’s done well.
- 22nd Circuit Judicial Commission, Lawyer Commissioner, 2018-2024
- Missouri Bar Board of Governors; Board Member, 2016-present; YLS Delegate, 2014-2016
- Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section Council; District 9 Representative, 2011-2016; Executive Committee Member, 2014-2016
- Fellow of the American Bar Foundation
- Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
Husch Blackwell’s pro bono program is focused primarily on the representation of clients referred to the Firm by recognized legal aid agencies or for which the Firm has been appointed by a court. It is the Firm’s policy to not accept pro bono clients who contact the Firm directly seeking representation. If you are seeking pro bono legal services, please consider contacting a legal aid agency in your area or contacting your state’s bar association for assistance in finding a lawyer.