Brett S. Covington

Growing up at NATO headquarters in Belgium, Brett Covington learned quickly how to adapt and work with people from all backgrounds and languages. His unique perspective and communication skills have served his clients well—whether it be delivering successful arguments before state and federal judges; deposing plaintiffs and other critical witnesses in complex litigation; representing clients in connection with U.S. Department of Justice or other government investigations; or leading his clients to wins before the American Arbitration Association. He always presents his clients with clear and effective plans to protect their interests.

Brett brings first-class litigation skills, having served as the lead attorney in working up discovery for high-stakes complex litigation across the country. This includes deposing 30+ key witnesses as part of a national defense team representing an agricultural company in a complex litigation involving claims of cancer from exposure to pesticides. Brett also has served as the primary writer for dozens of briefs covering a wide range of dispositive and procedural matters; delivered oral argument before federal and state judges; handled case management conferences and similar hearings; and has prior experience in handling three arbitrations before the American Arbitration Association.

In addition to his commercial litigation experience, Brett has represented clients under criminal and civil investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice, including successfully defending an energy company under investigation for alleged criminal violations of the Clean Air Act, which resulted in the government deciding not to pursue felony criminal charges against the client. He also represented a healthcare client under investigation for alleged violations of the False Claims Act and the Anti-Kickback Statute, where he made defense presentations to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Main Justice.

Following law school, Brett completed a two-year clerkship with U.S. District Judge Thomas W. Phillips at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. Brett gained considerable knowledge on a wide range of civil and criminal matters, including product liability actions, breach of contract disputes, the False Claims Act, employment discrimination, and criminal sentencing, and was the lead law clerk for six criminal trials. Prior to clerking, he served as a judicial intern to U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas in Houston. While in law school, Brett was the Executive Editor of The Georgetown Immigration Law Journal.