Brent advises clients on environmental compliance, defends companies in environmental litigation, and manages related administrative and regulatory matters. For over two decades, Brent has represented major utilities, energy companies, and other businesses in environmental matters, including suits alleging violations of federal and state water, waste, chemical, and air laws, as well as state common laws, such as nuisance and trespassing. He has appeared in numerous significant environmental cases, including in courts of appeals and the US Supreme Court. In light of the number and variety of environmental issues he has encountered throughout his career, Brent has established an in depth understanding of the challenges companies face in environmental administrative and litigation matters.

A respected member of Hunton's team designated Environmental Group of the Year by Law360 13 times since 2011, and recognized in his own right since 2020 as a Leader in Environment Law by Chambers USA, Brent possess a valuable blend of experience as a litigator and regulatory advisor on both environmental and energy law. He has been instrumental to the establishment and development of the firm's coal ash and waste management practices. He has handled over 35 administrative and litigation matters involving coal ash for clients throughout the country, which include providing general compliance advice, as well as defending citizen suits brought under 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 has also performed pro bono work with the Children's Law Center and Legal Services of North Carolina, both based in Charlotte.

Bar Admissions

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

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