Solo Practitioner
29984 State Highway 79, Suite 200
Locust Fork, AL 35097
(205)683-0660 /  

Brett is a 2006 graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law, as well as a 2003 graduate of Yale with a Master of Science degree in Engineering, and a 2001 graduate of Auburn University with a BS in Chemical Engineering. He graduated from Auburn University with a 4.0 GPA, was president of Greek Social Fraternity, and 2000, as the top scholastic Greek at Auburn, he received the Greek Scholar of the Year honor. Brett also received an Associate of Science degree from Jefferson State Community College in 1998. He was later a mathematics instructor at JSCC. Brett is a solo practitioner.

An interesting fact about Brett is that he supported himself and his wife while in law school by playing poker professionally. Brett’s interests include freemasonry, American history, local politics, fishing, horticulture, and high-maintenance roses (hybrid teas). He is involved as a Locust Fork Baptist Church Pastoral Care Committee Member, was president of the Blount County Historical Society, and serves as Master of Lodge for the Locust Fork Masonic Lodge. Brett served on the Board of Directors of the Blount County – Oneonta Chamber of Commerce, was Vice-President of the Oneonta Rotary Club, and is pro bono counsel for Children’s Center (advocate for victims of abuse). He served as president of the Blount County Bar Association, is a participant with the bar’s Volunteer Lawyer Program and the Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association.

The person who recommended Brett said, “Brett was one of the best and brightest students with whom I have ever worked in my 40+ years as a college administrator. His resume reflects his many accomplishments, as well as his contributions and, as he has matured, it is clear that his energy and interest in his state, community and profession remain high. The opportunity to participate in a program such as the Leadership Forum at this point in his career will enhance his ability to serve our state for many years to come. While Brett’s personal achievements are many, I have known him to always maintain a generous spirit as he recognizes those who supported and assisted him along the way. His core values are evident in his personal and professional life, and when we talk he frequently refers to his interest in exploring other opportunities to serve professionally and through civic engagement. He is still an exceptional ‘student’, and he often expresses how much he learns from more senior lawyers, as well as from his clients and life’s experiences. He will very likely be a ‘student’ always and a teacher when needed. He is optimistic and genuinely searches for the best in every situation. As a result, he lifts up those with whom he works. These qualities coupled with his high intellect underscore his achievements in the past and his potential for future success and service.”

In his own words, Brett says, “While I have not conducted a detailed study of the matter, I suspect that a large percentage of applicants for programs like this are associates from large firms in the major cities who are on track to make partner. If you could define a polar opposite to the type of law practice, I believe that you would have something similar to what I do on a daily basis. I base that opinion on conversations I have had with law school classmates who now practice with major firms in Birmingham. That difference is not meant to suggest that either type of practice is superior to the other…only that there is a wide range of law practice-types and that I believe the group would be enhanced by the experiences I have had thus far as a rural solo practitioner who dabbles in several areas of law. I have spent time with clients on their death beds, in their jail cells, in the hospital, and in their homes. I have stood beside a man as he was sentenced to life in prison, and another as the jury foreman read out his verdict, ‘not guilty.’ However, beyond my relatively brief life experience as a practicing attorney, I think that the evolution and growth of my concept of leadership would be equally rewarding to the group as a whole. While an undergraduate student at Auburn, a friend strongly recommended a biography to me: Marine! The life of Chesty Puller. Up to that point of my life and academic career, I had been elected to many of the standard ‘leadership’ positions you find on a typical resume: Student Government President, National Honor Society Office, etc. I played quarterback on our high school team. Although I had held many positions of leadership, I had not accomplished anything significant as a leader. In retrospect, I had been a very poor leader on the football team; a true understanding of team concept did not register until a couple of years later. The Puller biography was just what I needed to read at a critical point in my life. I had just pledged a fraternity the fall before and was considering an opportunity to serve as its president. The lesson I took from the biography is the most effective leader will always be the one who does so (1) by example and (2) with enthusiasm. Chesty Puller was the only marine to ever win five navy crosses. The summary on the back of the book says it all: ‘No officer ever inspired greater courage, loyalty, and devotion from his men, pushed them harder or served them better.’ Mr. Puller accomplished this by example. During battle, while most high-ranking officers would stay near the rear of the engagement, Mr. Puller would be right up front, often in hand-to-hand combat. I would do well to imitate the example of Chesty. As president of my fraternity at Auburn, I tried to use the same principles. For example, I did not demand that the pledges handle the yard work and spend hours each week with their studies. Instead, I got out there and started cutting the grass until one of them offered to relieve me. I helped the younger students in my major with their studies and final exam preparation. I did not consider myself superior to them. I never asked them to do anything that I would not do or had not already done. During my two years as president, we had considerable growth in membership and campus involvement. As rewarding an experience as being a leader in Greek life at Auburn was, my ideas about leadership continued to evolve. I began to realize that effective leaders not only led by enthusiast, active participation (as Puller did on the front lines), but also by making a concerted effort to meet the needs of those being led. Locust Fork, the town where I grew up, has two gas stations and no red lights. It consists mainly of a high school and several restaurants. When I began considering the prospect of hanging out the proverbial shingle in Locust Fork, a local assistant district attorney told me that ‘I would starve.’ Fortunately, I took a leap of faith and have never looked back. In five years, I can count on one had the number of days I have looked at the clock and wished that it was 5:00pm. Most people go to a job everyday…and many of them hate it. I thank God regularly that I am privileged enough to do what I do for others. The opportunity, on any given day, to help ten or more different clients with the various problems they are facing is very rewarding. Serving people by helping with their very serious problems is ‘work’ I would gladly do at much lower rate of compensation. Now that my practice has achieved a modicum of success and stability, it is truly rewarding to represent a client – for little or no money – simply because they need my help and likely will not get justice otherwise. For example, I recently helped a young mother obtain custody of her daughter. I drafted pleadings, attended several hearings, and tried the case. We are due back in court later this month. I charged her $200. I do not believe that practicing law any other way – or anywhere else – could leave me with the same level of satisfaction. Upon my return to Blount County following college, I immediately became aware of the general decline of civic organizations in our county. Jaycees, Civitan, Rotary, Elks, Kiwanis, Eastern Star, even the local political parties and alumni association, were all struggling to maintain membership and activity within the community. From talking with friends and mentors around the state, I realize that this problem is not limited to Blount County. No organization has struggled more with these issues that the Masons. Unlike these other groups, one of the primary rules on the Masonic Order is that new members are not to be solicited. In other words, new prospects must – of their own volition – seek out a lodge for membership. Having spent several years studying the principles of Freemasonry, my motivation for involvement was simple – to work to preserve this centuries-old fraternal organization for future generations. The oral traditions will be lost if the next generation fails to take interest. I was not looking to lead – I only sought to serve the legacy of the Masons who had come before me by honoring their dedication and continuing the traditions. In the five years that I have been home, I have served as an officer in the local lodge each year. As I advanced through the ranks, I looked for ways to preserve and, hopefully, grow the institution. I came to the following conclusion: the best way to increase community awareness of the Lodge was to get the current members active again. This is where the servant-leadership concept kicked in…rather than calling an inactive member and saying, ‘I am in charge of this Lodge now, you should attend,’ I instead would seek out an inactive brother and ask what I could do for him. My profession and my concern for Masonry merged in this endeavor. There are two other points I would like to make about my experience with servant leadership: (1) it can be contagious within the group; and (2) your fellow leaders in other organizations will take note and employ the concept in their leadership efforts. To be honest, my participation in this Forum will probably cost me money. I am a one-man practice with one additional full-time employee. If I am not working, the cash flow ceases. Furthermore, it is unlikely to help me make partner faster, as I plan to practice in a one or two-attorney firm for the rest of my career. That being said, as I have learned and described herein, the practice of law is not just about making a living…it is about serving others. With a couple of notable exceptions, our local bar is seriously lacking leaders, especially young ones. I believe that I will be the Bar Commissioner for our Circuit within the next five years. I have not ruled out the possibility – if conditions are right and certain doors open – of serving in the state Legislature. I hope that my involvement in this Forum will equip me with tools, contacts, and ways of thinking which further enable me to effectively lead the 41st Circuit and my part of the state for the rest of my career. Beyond my legal practice, I expect that this Forum will help me improve as leader in my family, church, civic, and political organizations.”