Bold,
Strategic,
Unwavering
Advocacy.
Earned a National Reputation for Success
Brittany K. Barnett is widely respected for her success in high-stakes federal criminal cases and for securing freedom for more than 70 individuals serving unjust sentences. She is one of the few attorneys in the country to have obtained executive clemency for numerous clients across multiple presidential administrations.
Brittany is also a trusted advisor to high-profile clients across the corporate and entertainment industries, known for her legal expertise and business acumen. In addition to legal representation, she provides consulting, narrative strategy, and reputation guidance, helping clients navigate complex challenges and lead with clarity and confidence.
Our work sits at the intersection of law, culture, and justice – built on trust, driven by excellence, and measured by real impact.
Practice Areas
- Federal Criminal Defense
- Corporate & Entertainment
Consulting
- Strategic Legal Counsel
- Narrative Strategy & Crisis Communications
“EVERY LIFE WE POSITIVELY TOUCH IS A STEP FORWARD IN OUR SHARED JOURNEY TOWARD COLLECTIVE FREEDOM.”
- Brittany K. Barnett
Amazon Editor’s Pick for the Best Book of 2020
NAACP IMAGE AWARD NOMINEE
LOS ANGELES TIMES BOOK PRIZE FINALIST
A Knock at Midnight is Brittany’s riveting, inspirational memoir, at once a coming-of-age story and a powerful evocation of what it takes to bring hope and justice to a system built to resist both at every turn.
FREEDOM JOURNEY
“This life has taken me on a remarkable journey – one that continues to transform my understanding of justice and the very definition of freedom itself. Every day I celebrate the lives of the many people who have given me the privilege to represent them. In many ways, they have freed me too.”
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Brittany K. Barnett
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Brittany K. Barnett
Brittany K. Barnett pictured in Dallas with her very first client, Sharanda Jones, who served 16 years and 9 months of a life sentence for a nonviolent drug offense – her first conviction, felony or otherwise. Brittany came across Sharanda’s case while still a law student and made a vow to fight for her freedom. She worked tirelessly on the case for six years – entirely pro bono – while working full-time as a corporate attorney at ORIX USA Corporation. In 2016, Brittany’s advocacy paid off: she won clemency for Sharanda from President Obama. Today, Sharanda is home and thriving as the owner of Fed Up food trucks in Dallas. Brittany chronicles each of their powerful freedom journey in her award-winning book, A Knock at Midnight: A Story of Hope, Justice, and Freedom.
Brittany K. Barnett pictured in Dallas with her clients – and brothers – Ray Charles and Timothy Fields. In the early 1990s, both men were sentenced to life without parole in federal prison for nonviolent drug offenses. Tim served 26 years and was granted clemency from President Obama. Ray served 28 years before Brittany and her partners at Jackson Walker won his immediate release in 2021. Brittany then successfully secured early termination of supervised release for both brothers, helping them fully reclaim their freedom.
Brittany K. Barnett pictured in Los Angeles with her client, Corey Jacobs. Corey was sentenced to an unimaginable 16 life sentences for nonviolent federal drug offenses. Brittany secured the support of the very federal judge who had sentenced Corey under outdated mandatory sentencing laws – an extraordinary show of unity – and went on to help win Corey’s clemency from President Obama in 2016.
FREEDOM JOY! Brittany K. Barnett pictured in Los Angeles with three of her clients—Corey Jacobs, Chris Young, and Corvain Cooper—each of whom she helped secure clemency for after they were sentenced to life under outdated federal drug laws. Corey received clemency from President Obama, while Chris and Corvain were granted clemency by President Trump. This is what freedom looks like!
Brittany K. Barnett pictured in Nashville with her client, Chris Young, and former federal Judge Kevin Sharp. Brittany and her powerhouse legal team secured a rare post-conviction victory through a 2255 habeas motion, reducing Chris’s life sentence to 14 years. But she didn’t stop there. Brittany partnered with Judge Sharp – the very judge who was forced to impose Chris’s original mandatory life sentence under outdated federal drug laws – to continue the fight for Chris’s freedom. Together with Kim Kardashian, they led a powerful advocacy effort that resulted in President Trump granting clemency to Chris in 2021.
Brittany K. Barnett pictured in Atlanta with her client, Jeffrey Stringer, who served 25 years of a mandatory life sentence under outdated federal drug laws. Jeffrey was one of 17 men freed from life sentences in just 90 days through the 90 Days of Freedom campaign – an ambitious initiative led by Brittany and her co-counsel in 2019 to challenge the inhumanity of extreme sentencing.
FREEDOM JOY! Brittany K. Barnett pictured in Los Angeles with three of her clients—Corey Jacobs, Chris Young, and Corvain Cooper—each of whom she helped secure clemency for after they were sentenced to life under outdated federal drug laws. Corey received clemency from President Obama, while Chris and Corvain were granted clemency by President Trump. This is what freedom looks like!
FREEDOM JOY! Brittany K. Barnett pictured in Los Angeles with Dave Chappelle, Trae tha Truth, and three of her clients—Corey Jacobs, Chris Young, and Corvain Cooper—each of whom she helped secure clemency for after they were sentenced to life under outdated federal drug laws. Corey received clemency from President Obama, while Chris and Corvain were granted clemency by President Trump. This is what freedom looks like!
Brittany K. Barnett pictured in Dallas with her client, Donel Clark, who was sentenced to 35 years in federal prison under outdated drug laws. Brittany secured the support of the former Assistant U.S. Attorney who prosecuted Donel’s case and went on to help win his clemency from President Obama in 2015. Donel was Brittany’s very first clemency victory – a case she worked on and won pro bono while still working full-time as a corporate attorney at ORIX USA Corporation.
Brittany K. Barnett pictured in Atlanta with her client, Alfred Rivera, who is now free after being sentenced to life in federal prison under draconian drug laws. Brittany partnered with her co-counsel and dear friend, Cheslie Kryst – crowned Miss USA 2019 – to help secure Alfred’s freedom. Cheslie tragically passed away in 2022. This moment stands as a tribute to their shared commitment to justice – and to Cheslie’s enduring legacy
Brittany K. Barnett pictured in Los Angeles hugging her father, Leland K. Barnett, at the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) Awards, where she was honored with the prestigious Agent of Change Award – presented by her father. Also recognized that evening were Lil Baby, Kevin Liles, Jon “Big Jon” Platt, Nikole Hannah-Jones, Joi Brown, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Gail Mitchell, and Shirley Halperin.
Brittany K. Barnett pictured in Dallas at a Manifest Freedom Dinner with several of her clients whose lives she’s helped save. Left to right: Ferrell Scott, Donel Clark, Michael Wilson, Brittany K. Barnett, Chris Young, Keyon Mitchell, Sharanda Jones, Terry Levels, Wayland Wilson, and Stevie Jackson. Together, they endured more than 150 years in prison – and now stand in their freedom, rewriting what freedom can look like.
Brittany K. Barnett pictured in Palm Springs with her client, Alice Marie Johnson, who is now free and thriving after serving 22 years in prison for a nonviolent drug offense—her very first conviction, felony or otherwise. Ms. Johnson was granted clemency by President Trump in 2018, thanks to the dedicated advocacy of Kim Kardashian and her powerhouse legal team: Brittany K. Barnett, Shawn Holley, and Jennifer Turner.
Brittany K. Barnett pictured in Washington, D.C. with her dear friend Monica Arnold and her client, Tony Lewis, who served over 30 years of a mandatory life sentence under outdated federal drug laws. This moment was captured at one of the first concerts Tony attended in freedom. Monica invited him backstage, creating a truly remarkable experience. Well known in D.C., Tony has devoted his life to uplifting the community – through criminal justice reform, anti-violence initiatives, and tireless advocacy for change.
Brittany K. Barnett pictured with several of her clients at an event in Atlanta. Left to right: Darryl “Lil D” Reed, who served 28 years in prison and was granted clemency by President Obama; Brittany K. Barnett; Corey Jacobs, who served 18 years and was also granted clemency by President Obama; Sharanda Jones, who served 16 years and received clemency from President Obama; and Alice Marie Johnson, who served 22 years and was granted clemency by President Trump. Each of them once faced devastating sentences under outdated federal drug laws – and now stand as powerful symbols of resilience, justice, and the transformative impact of freedom
Brittany K. Barnett pictured in Dallas at a Manifest Freedom Dinner with several of her clients whose lives she’s helped save. Left to right: Wayland Wilson, Donel Clark, Brittany K. Barnett, Michael Wilson, Sharanda Jones, and Terry Levels. Together, they endured several decades behind bars – and now stand in their freedom, redefining what justice and liberation can truly look like. Brittany chronicles each of their powerful stories in her award-winning book, A Knock at Midnight: A Story of Hope, Justice, and Freedom.
Brittany K. Barnett pictured in Coleman, Florida with her dear friend Monica Arnold and her clients, Victor and Jorge Torres, who each served over 30 years of mandatory life sentences handed down under outdated federal drug laws. Brittany and her co-counsel, Arianna Goodman of Vedder Price, successfully secured the Torres brothers’ freedom. This photo was taken on a deeply meaningful day at Coleman Federal Prison – the first time Brittany met Victor and Jorge in person after helping save their lives. The brothers returned to the prison not as incarcerated men, but as free men, delivering a powerful message of hope and resilience to more than 400 incarcerated individuals. Monica’s presence made the day even more impactful – her light and support truly brightened every moment
Brittany K. Barnett pictured in Atlanta with her clients, Corey Jacobs and Sharanda Jones. Both were sentenced to life in federal prison under outdated federal drug laws. Brittany secured clemency from President Obama for each of them – powerful victories that not only restored their freedom but helped ignite a movement. Together, Corey and Sharanda linked arms to co-found the Buried Alive Project – the nonprofit arm of the Law Office of Brittany K. Barnett – which provides pro bono legal representation to individuals serving life sentences for federal drug offenses.
Erick Bozeman pictured after surviving more than 25 years of a life sentence in federal prison, imposed under outdated federal drug laws. Brittany K. Barnett helped win his freedom in 2020. This is what freedom looks like.
Brittany K. Barnett pictured in Washington, D.C. at the Department of Justice with former U.S. Pardon Attorney Liz Oyer and her client, Sharanda Jones. Sharanda served 16 years and 9 months of a life sentence for a nonviolent drug offense – her first conviction, felony or otherwise. Brittany discovered Sharanda’s case while still a law student and made a vow to fight for her freedom. She worked on the case for six years – entirely pro bono – while working full-time as a corporate attorney at ORIX USA Corporation. In 2016, Brittany’s advocacy paid off when she won clemency for Sharanda from President Obama. Today, Brittany and Sharanda often travel together to share their powerful journey from life imprisonment to freedom.
Brittany K. Barnett pictured in Washington, D.C. with her client, Tony Lewis, who served over 30 years of a mandatory life sentence under outdated federal drug laws. After several years of relentless advocacy in the courts, Brittany and her co-counsel, Warren Seay, won Tony’s freedom. Well known in D.C., Tony has devoted his life to uplifting the community – through criminal justice reform, anti-violence initiatives, and tireless advocacy for change.
Brittany K. Barnett pictured in Nashville with her client, Ralph O’Neal III, who served nearly 15 years of a life sentence under outdated federal drug laws. Brittany first secured a sentence reduction for Ralph through the courts – and she didn’t stop there. She went on to win his clemency from President Biden, helping bring his long-overdue freedom to fruition.