Derek Brett

Derek B. Brett, Barrister & Solicitor

Professional Blog Page: www.halifaxlaw.com

Lawyer/Barrister & Solicitor Derek Brett possesses the following, extensive professional and academic credentials, inclusive of his professional admissions and memberships; awards/acknowledgments of merit; publications; press appearances/coverage; and involvement in community-based activities:

Admitted:

  • State of Florida (1996)
  • District of Columbia (2000)
  • Nova Scotia (2014)
  • United States District Court, Middle District of Florida (2004)
  • United States District Court, Northern District of Florida (2004)
  • United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit (2004)
  • United States Supreme Court (2004)
  • Court of Appeals, District of Columbia (2010)
  • United States District Court, District of Columbia (2010)

Law School: The Florida State University College of Law, Juris Doctor with Honors (1996)

University: University of Central Florida, Bachelor of Arts (Political Science/Pre-Law) with Highest Honors (1993)

Professional Memberships: Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society; Canadian Bar Association; The Florida Bar Association; District of Columbia Bar; George C. Young, Central Florida Inns of Court (2003-2013); National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (2003-2011); Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (2003-2013); Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (2003-2013); First Amendment Lawyers Association (2005-2010); National Employment Lawyers’ Association (1999-2002, 2010-2012).

Additional, Noteworthy Affiliations:

Saint Mary’s University (Adjunct Professor, College of Business) (2015-2016); Nova Scotia Community College (Adjunct Professor, College of Business) (2014); University of Central Florida (Professor of Constitutional Law & International Law) (2003-2013); Obama-Biden Presidential Campaign (Lead Regional Legal Counsel) (2008, 2012); Kerry-Edwards Presidential Campaign (Lead Orange County Legal Counsel); Florida Democratic Lawyers’ Council (Lead Regional Legal Counsel) (2004-2013); Florida Democratic Party (Cooperating Counsel) (2004-2012); American Constitution Society (2004-2013); American Civil Liberties Union (Chair, Regional Legal Panel) (2009-2012) ; Brady Campaign to End Gun Violence (Regional Legal Counsel) (2004-2006); Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society Observership Program (2013)

Court Admissions: Province of Nova Scotia; State of Florida; District of Columbia Bar; United States Supreme Court; Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit; Court of Appeals, District of Columbia; United States District Court, Middle District of Florida; United States District Court, Northern District of Florida; United States District Court, District of Columbia.

Community Involvement: 

  • Member, American Chamber of Commerce in Canada, 2014-Present 
  • Member, Economic Ecosystem Task Force, Greater Halifax Partnership, 2014-Present
  • Associate Member, Canadian Pension & Benefits Institution, 2014-Present
  • Executive Board Secretary, Condominium Corporation, 2014-Present
  • ShelterBox Committee Chair, Harbourside Halifax Rotary Club, 2013-Present
  • Fundraising Committee Member, Canadian Naval Memorial Trust, 2013-Present
  • At-Large Board Member, Atlantic Jewish Council, 2013-Present
  • Associate Member, CFB Halifax Officers’ Mess, 2013-Present
  • Member, Halifax Robert Burns Club, 2014-Present
  • Member, 100 Men of Halifax Who Give a Damn, 2014-Present
  • Member, Shaar Shalom Synagogue, 2012-Present
  • Chair, Orange County, Florida, Educational Facilities Board, 2006-2013
  • Sponsor, Health Care Center for the Homeless, 2009-2012
  • Southeast Regional Board of Directors, American Jewish Congress, 2004-2010
  • Board of Trustees (Secretary), Congregation of Reform Judaism, 2007-2009
  • Member, City of Orlando’s Affordable Housing Board, 2005-2007

Awards:

  • Florida Trends Magazine’s Florida’s “Florida Legal Elite – Best Lawyers in Florida” (2010)
  • Florida Democratic Black Caucus, Attorney of the Year (2009, 2010)
  • Florida Democratic Caribbean Caucus, Attorney of the Year (2010)
  • Florida Democratic Hispanic Caucus, “Amigo”/Attorney of the Year (2010)
  • Florida Trends Magazine’s Florida’s “Best Up & Coming Lawyers” (2007)
  • Central Florida Police Benevolence Association’s Attorney of the Year (2007)
  • University of Central Florida Political Science Professor of the Year (2006)
  • Paul Wellstone Grassroots Activist of the Year (2004)
  • Phi Delta Phi Honor Society (1996)
  • Florida Bar Foundation Public Interest Fellowship Award, Service at Volunteer Lawyers’ Resource Center (Capital Post-Conviction Representation) (1993-1995)

Selective Speaking Engagements:

  • “The State of Gambling Regulations & Restrictions,” West Legal Education Center (2013)
  • “Internet Sales Tax: The Debate Continues,” West Legal Education Center (2012, 2013)
  • “The Constitutionality of the Pledge of Allegiance’s ‘Under God’ Language,” FAMU Law Debate Series (2012)
  • “Police and Firefighter Labour Rights,” University of Central Florida (2012)
  • “Religion in the Public Sphere,” Central Florida Jewish Community Lecture Series (2012)
  • “The First Amendment & the Rights of Political Protestors,” University of Tampa Lecture Series (2012)
  • “The Constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act,” Federalist Society Debate Series (2011)
  • “The State of the Establishment Clause and the Lemon Test,” Florida A&M University College of Law (2011)
  • “Free Speech and Political Rights,” Florida A&M University College of Law (2011)
  • “The Internet, Free Speech & Privacy,” ACLU of Florida Lecture Series (2010)
  • “Ethical Practices During Closing Arguments,” Central Florida Inns of Court Practice Series (2010)
  • “Civil Rights for Citizens with Special Needs,” Beacon College Lecture Series (2010)
  • “Where Do We Go From Here: Law in the Instant Media Age,” Barry Law School Continuing Legal Education Course (2010)
  • “Due Process and the Civil Rights of Guantanamo Detainees,” ACLU of Florida Lecture Series (2009)
  • “Affirmative Action & the Grutter/Gratz Opinions,” Federalist Society Debate Series (2006)
  • “Constitutional Legitimacy of the Kelo/Takings Case,” Federalist Society Debate Series (2005)
  • “Constitutional Debate on the Questionable Legitimacy of Bush v. Gore,“ Federalist Society Debate Series (2004)
  • “Internet Law Update,” First Amendment Lawyers Association (2005-2009)
  • “Voting Rights & Election Protection,” Florida Democratic Lawyers’ Association (2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012)

Press:

Commentator and Panelist on Local and National News and Talk Shows

  • Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s (“CBC”) “Main Street” (Commentary on Free Speech Issues)
  • Headline News Network’s “Dr. Drew On-Call” (Commentary on George Zimmerman Trial)
  • National Public Radio’s “Intersection” (Debating constitutionality of state constitutional initiatives impacting church/state issues and involving school voucher programs).
  • CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360” (Commentary on Trayvon Martin murder and George Zimmerman defense).
  • Headline News Network’s “Ashley Velez-Mitchell” (Commentary on the Trayvon Martin murder and George Zimmerman defense).
  • FOX News Network’s “O’Reilly Factor” (Debating U.S. Congressman Mark Foley on constitutional implications of federal sex offender legislation).
  • FOX News Network’s “The Big Story” (Discussing and analyzing First Amendment issues and proposed federal regulations on sexual offenders).
  • CNBC’s “Squawk Box” (Discussing and analyzing potential ramifications of prohibitions on Internet gaming).
  • Voice of America (Discussing Three-Dimensional Demonstrative Exhibits in the Courtroom).
  • Nationally-Syndicated Radio Show, “The Mike Malloy Show” (Discussing pending election challenge litigation).
  • Nationally-Syndicated Radio Show, “The Stephanie Miller Show“ (Discussing and analyzing federal tort claims law).
  • Local CBS-Affiliate Panelist, “Flashpoint“ (Debating implications of Iraq War and torture; debating Bush Administration environmental policies, and civil rights record).
  • Featured Guest Commentator, 1030 AM Radio (Orlando) (Discussing and analyzing taxpayer rights and due process; dangers of computer hackers; and dangers of online child pornography.
  • Featured Political Analyst, WESH-Channel 2 (Orlando) (Providing impartial political analysis on the results of the 2010 Midterm Elections, as well as subsequent political developments).
  • Regularly-Featured Commentator on Local & Regional Political Matters, Elections Law Issues, and Labour-Employment/Whistleblower Issues, WFTV-Channel 9 (Orlando) and WOFL-Channel 35 (Orlando).

Newspaper Commentary: New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, U.S.A. Today, Mother Jones, Miami Herald, Orlando Sentinel, Orlando Weekly, Hartford Courant, Baltimore Sun, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Philadelphia City Paper, London’s Daily Mail. Featured opinion editorials appeared regularly in Central Florida’s The Heritage.

Additional, Selective Press Commentary:

  • “Obscenity Trial?: The Use of Google Trends as Demonstrative of Community Standards” — The New Statesman (2008) (Ghostwriter)
  • “A War Over Words: An Inside Analysis & Examination of the Prosecution of the Red Rose Stories & Obscenity Law” – Brooklyn Journal of Law & Policy (2008) (Acknowledgment as Author of Federal Challenge Dismiss Prosecution Based Upon Written Word)
  • Op-Ed: “If You Think Twice, It’s Not Alright” — The Heritage Newspaper (2008)
  • Op-Ed: “So You Say You Want a Revolution?” — The Heritage Newspaper (2007)
  • Op-Ed: “What’s Going On: Civility in Legal Practice” — The Heritage Newspaper (2007)
  • “Internet Law Update” — First Amendment Lawyers Association (2005-2009)