Lawyer Bio : Brent F. Powell

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Brent F. Powell

Winston-Salem

Brent Powell practices in the Business Litigation group, with a focus on complex commercial litigation. Mr. Powell routinely handles cases at both the trial and appellate level in state and federal courts throughout the country and represents clients in a wide array of industries, including commercial lending and real estate, pharmaceuticals, furniture, health care, higher education, manufacturing, and telecommunications. Mr. Powell’s experience encompasses a variety of substantive areas, including antitrust, unfair trade practices, false advertising, class actions, breach of contract, and insurance coverage. Mr. Powell also has experience advising media outlets in First Amendment and newsgathering issues.

Representative Matters

  • Obtained dismissal of claims against commercial landlord in suit by real estate broker for unpaid commissions.  Gunn v. Lab. Corp. of America, 2011 NCBC 35 (Sep. 23, 2011).
  • Representation of industrial coatings manufacturer and its individual employees in suit alleging violations of non-competition and non-solicitation agreements. Akzo-Nobel, Inc. v. Rogers, 2011 NCBC 41 (Nov. 3, 2011).
  • Representation of franchisor in litigation in federal bankruptcy court involving termination of franchisee. In re Freeway Foods of Greensboro, Inc., 449 B.R. 860 (Bankr. M.D.N.C. 2011).
  • Representation of leading furniture manufacturer and retailer in false advertising litigation.
  • Representation of Liquidating Trust in multiple actions in bankruptcy court to recover in excess of $15 million in transfers and preferences.
  • Secured dismissal of suit against broadcasting company for commissions allegedly owed in connection with purchase of television station. Hillcrest Media, LLC v. Fisher Communications, Inc., 2009 WL 1663969 (E.D. Ark. June 15, 2009).
  • Successfully defended a group of teaching hospitals and medical schools against antitrust class-action suit alleging conspiracy to depress medical resident stipends.
  • Secured dismissal of libel claim against major daily newspaper and successfully defended judgment on appeal.

Additional Biography Info

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Professional Activities

Member, North Carolina Bar Association, District of Columbia Bar Association.

Admitted to the bar: 2010, North Carolina; 2002, District of Columbia.

Admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Courts of Appeals for the D.C., and Federal Circuits, and the United States District Courts for the Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, and the District of Columbia.

Education

A.B. and M.A., Political Science, 1999, University of Georgia, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, First Honor Graduate, Georgia Political Science Association, UGA Defender/Advocate Society.
 
J.D., 2002, Harvard Law School, cum laude, Board of Student Advisors, Harvard Journal on Legislation.

Prior Legal Experience

Associate, Covington & Burling LLP, Washington, D.C., 2002-2009; Summer Associate, Dow Lohnes & Albertson, PLLC, Atlanta, GA, 2000.

Publications

Co-Author, "Drafting the Complaint," New Appleman Insurance Law Practice Guide (2007).

Author, "Recent Legislation - Line-Item Veto," 37 Harvard Journal on Legislation 253 (2000).