White collar defense and investigations: Brian regularly defends clients in government enforcement litigation and investigations involving the U.S. Department of Justice and other federal agencies, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the Department of Health and Human Services, and multiple agencies’ Office of Inspector General (OIG). He also has substantial experience in matters involving state attorneys general, insurance departments, and unclaimed property regulators. Brian frequently handles False Claims Act matters and other litigation involving allegations of fraud and regulatory violations.
In addition, Brian routinely works with in-house counsel to conduct internal investigations involving whistleblower complaints and other allegations of potential civil violations, criminal misconduct, and ethics matters. He also advises clients on the creation, enhancement, and implementation of compliance programs relating to these issues.
Regulatory litigation and appeals: Brian often represents clients in challenges to federal and state regulations and administrative decisions. He has brought multiple lawsuits under the federal Administrative Procedure Act and has significant experience challenging governmental action on statutory and constitutional grounds. Brian also advises clients on how to most effectively raise such arguments with regulators outside of litigation, such as in rulemaking proceedings, audits, and investigations.
Brian has presented oral arguments in multiple federal and state appellate courts and has represented clients at every level of the federal court system, including the U.S. Supreme Court.
Commercial litigation: Brian maintains an active commercial litigation practice, representing clients in contract disputes, class actions, and matters involving unfair competition and the misappropriation of trade secrets. In addition to litigating such matters in court, Brian has substantial experience resolving commercial disputes through confidential arbitration and mediation proceedings.
Brian rejoined Sidley in 2021 after several years in government service. From 2019–2021, he was Principal Deputy General Counsel for the Department of the Treasury, where he advised the Treasury Secretary and senior Treasury officials on a wide range of legal, regulatory, and policy issues, managed significant litigation and congressional oversight matters, and supervised teams of attorneys in areas including financial regulation, tax, international trade, economic sanctions, anti-money laundering, and cybersecurity. The Treasury Secretary awarded Brian with the Treasury Medal in recognition of his leadership and accomplishments.
Prior to that, Brian held leadership positions at the U.S. Department of Justice, as Counselor to the Attorney General and as Deputy Associate Attorney General, where he provided strategic oversight and advice on high-stakes civil, antitrust, environmental, tax, and legal policy matters.
Brian was named to the inaugural edition of Benchmark Litigation’s “Under 40 Hot List” in 2016. In 2012, Forbes magazine recognized Brian on its “30 Under 30” list of difference-makers in the fields of “Law and Policy.”
