Legal Grounds | Brittany K. Barnett

12/02/20 • 42 min

Legal Grounds | Conversations on Life, Leadership & Law

“No matter what kind of law you practice, all of us should remember we’re civil-rights attorneys.”

Some may think this idea is a brush too broad to paint with, but as someone who has served clients on either side of the “vs.,” I couldn’t be in more agreement with this humanistic approach to the practice of law.

I’d love to take credit, but this insight is that of my guest this week, Brittany K. Barnett.

With a Masters in Finance, she began her professional life as an Associate Auditor for Pricewaterhouse Coopers before deciding to attend law-school at SMU.

She became an attorney.

Practiced at the corporate levels I know some of my law-clerks dream of.

But this is only one side of the coin.

It’s safe to say that Brittany is one of the leading advocates of clemency for federal prisoners convicted under the draconian drug-laws of the 80’s & 90’s.

She has secured freedom for more than 30 individuals – many facing life in prison for a first time non-violent offense, including clemency from both the previous & current administrations.

Brittany is also the author of the bestselling book, “A Knock At Midnight,” which the Washington Post called, “an engrossing memoir...both powerful & devastating.”
Oh... and she's gone on to found organizations like the Buried Alive Project & GEM, just to name a few of her initiatives.

It’s rare to have conversations that are both difficult & inspiring, but this is definitely one of them.

Enjoy the show.

“No matter what kind of law you practice, all of us should remember we’re civil-rights attorneys.”

I’d love to take credit, but this insight is that of my guest this week, Brittany K. Barnett.

With a Masters in Finance, she began her professional life as an Associate Auditor for Pricewaterhouse Coopers before deciding to attend law-school at SMU.

She became an attorney.

Practiced at the corporate levels I know some of my law-clerks dream of.

But this is only one side of the coin.

It’s safe to say that Brittany is one of the leading advocates of clemency for federal prisoners convicted under the draconian drug-laws of the 80’s & 90’s.

She has secured freedom for more than 30 individuals – many facing life in prison for a first time non-violent offense, including clemency from both the previous & current administrations.

It’s rare to have conversations that are both difficult & inspiring, but this is definitely one of them.

Enjoy the show.

Previous Episode

Legal Grounds | Light-Roast: Thanksgiving Edition

Our Thanksgiving episode also happens to be the first in what will become our Light-Roast Series.

Instead of a conversation with a guest, I occasionally want to have a conversation with you, the listener.

These episodes won’t be replacing our original format, but every once in a while, you might find one of these 10-minute thought-experiments in your feed.

And because so many of us will be enjoying plenty of heavy food over the next couple of days, we thought it might be best not to heap heavy conversation on top of it.

For our first episode, I examine what it is to be thankful in the face of adversity – something I think we all may be struggling with at this current moment.

Take a listen & let us know what you think by emailing us at [email protected]

Have a Happy Thanksgiving & enjoy the episode

Next Episode

Legal Grounds | Olga V. Mack

Growing up in El Paso, I was fortunate enough not just to learn Spanish, but to be able to practice a second language in real life situations.

But my education, my friendships, and my opportunities never relied on me mastering another language...or culture...or legal system.

My guest this week, Olga V. Mack, can confidently claim to have done all three of these things.

The daughter of political refugees, Olga moved to the United States from the U.S.S.R. at the age of 13. Her journey from aspiring artist, to probable engineer, to legal heavyweight, is so unique that the only way to do it justice is to listen to this episode.

As the CEO of Parely Pro, a next-generation contract management company, what struck me most about this conversation was Olga’s clear preference for blunt – often humorous – conversation.

But it’s also that desire for transparency that has clearly inspired her to break down barriers for herself & for others, both as an attorney & as a human being.

She has published articles in Newsweek, been a legislative advocate, and has a TedTalk that is well worth listening to.

Enjoy the show!