Derek B. Brett, J.D.
Cross-border lawyer, law professor, legal commentator, and civic leader with more than three decades of sustained excellence across multiple jurisdictions in both Canada and the United States.
derek@enterpriselaw.ca
Derek B. Brett is a distinguished cross-border lawyer whose career spans more than three decades of practice. He has built an exceptional practice rooted in complex litigation, sophisticated commercial transactions, and cross-border legal counsel. His clients have spanned the globe, being based in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Asia. He holds the singular distinction of being the only actively-practicing lawyer simultaneously licensed and fully dual-qualified in the Province of Nova Scotia, the State of Florida, and the District of Columbia. His court admissions further extend to the Supreme Court of the United States, the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and the D.C. Circuit, and several U.S. District Courts.
In 2012, having permanently relocated to the Halifax Regional Municipality, Brett has been licensed as a Lawyer, Barrister and Solicitor in Nova Scotia since 2014, where he concentrates his practice on cross-border and domestic business and tax law. His practice encompasses commercial and tax litigation, white-collar criminal defence, corporate transactional practice, real estate litigation, Internet and cyberlaw, estate planning, and appellate advocacy. He is also a recipient of certifications in mediation and negotiation from Harvard Law School. His proven success in confronting some of the largest and most prominent law firms in both the courtroom and at the negotiating table has established his reputation as a tenacious and principled advocate for his clients' interests.
The Florida State University
College of Law
Juris Doctor with Honors, 1996
Phi Delta Phi International Legal Honor Society
University of Central Florida
Political Science / Pre-Law
Bachelor of Arts with Highest Honors (Summa Cum Laude), 1993
Academic Distinction
Brett served for a decade as Professor of Constitutional Law and International Law at the University of Central Florida (2003–2013), where he was recognized with the Political Science Professor of the Year award in 2006.
Upon relocation to Canada, he served as Adjunct Professor of Commercial Law at Saint Mary's University in Halifax (2015–2018) and as Auxiliary Professor at the Nova Scotia Community College (2014–2015). His scholarly work includes a comprehensive web-based Commercial Law course with video tutorials, and extensive engagement as a featured speaker at law schools, bar associations, and professional organizations across Canada and the United States.
National & International Media Profile
Brett's legal acumen and authoritative commentary have earned him a prominent media profile. He has appeared as a featured legal analyst and commentator on major national and international television and radio networks, including CNN's Anderson Cooper 360, FOX News Network's The O'Reilly Factor, CNBC's Squawk Box, Headline News Network's Dr. Drew On-Call and Ashley Velez-Mitchell, Voice of America, National Public Radio, and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's Main Street, and regional radio shows in Atlantic Canada. His expert commentary has been sought on matters ranging from commercial law to constitutional law and civil rights, to high-profile criminal cases and First Amendment issues.
Brett's analysis and commentary have been featured in leading print publications, including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, U.S.A. Today, Mother Jones, the Miami Herald, the Orlando Sentinel, the Hartford Courant, the Baltimore Sun, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and London's Daily Mail, among others. He has also authored opinion editorials, and contributed to legal scholarship published in The New Statesman and the Brooklyn Journal of Law & Policy.
In Nova Scotia, Brett served as host of "Legally Speaking," a weekly radio show on community radio dedicated to developments in law and the education of citizens regarding legal issues and causes (2019).
Client Distinction Award
2015Lawyer.com
Florida Legal Elite – Best Lawyers in Florida
2010Florida Trends Magazine
Best Up & Coming Lawyers
2007Florida Trends Magazine
Attorney of the Year
2009, 2010Florida Democratic Black Caucus
Attorney of the Year
2010Florida Democratic Caribbean Caucus
"Amigo" / Attorney of the Year
2010Florida Democratic Hispanic Caucus
Attorney of the Year
2007Central Florida Police Benevolent Association
Political Science Professor of the Year
2006University of Central Florida
Grassroots Activist of the Year
2004Paul Wellstone Award
Public Interest Fellowship Award
1993–1995Florida Bar Foundation
Top Attorney Rating (10/10); Client's Choice Award; Top Contributor
2012–2014Avvo.com
Recognized Member
International Advisory Experts
Political & Public Service
Brett served as Lead Regional Legal Counsel for the Obama-Biden Presidential Campaigns in 2008 and 2012, and as Lead Orange County Legal Counsel for the Kerry-Edwards Presidential Campaign in 2004, coordinating and leading hundreds of lawyers to protect electoral integrity and voters' rights.
Following relocation to Canada, he has served as Treasurer for a federal political riding association, Official Agent and Treasurer for the Geoff Regan Campaign, and Official Agent for former Premier Iain Rankin. He previously served as Chair of Central Florida's Legal Panel for the ACLU (2009–2012) and as Regional Legal Counsel for the Brady Campaign to End Gun Violence (2004–2006).