May 31, 2022
McGuireWoods partner Brandi G. Howard has been named to the National Bar Association’s 2022 “40 Under 40” List.
The National Bar Association is the nation's oldest and largest national association of predominantly African American lawyers, judges, educators and law students. The “40 Under 40” awards honor top lawyers under the age of 40 for high achievement, including in advocacy, innovation, vision, leadership, and overall legal and community involvement. The recipients will be honored at a gala on July 27, 2022, during the NBA’s 97th Annual Convention in Memphis, Tennessee.
“These awards are designed to recognize attorneys who have shown a true commitment to advancing important legal interests as demonstrated by their hard work, creativity, leadership and the successes they have achieved at this stage in their respective careers,” NBA president Carlos Moore said.
Based in Washington, D.C., Howard is a partner in McGuireWoods’ nationally recognized Government Investigations & White Collar Litigation Department. She represents corporate and individual clients in government investigations and complex commercial trial and appellate litigation across the country, with a focus on litigation in the District of Columbia federal and local courts.
Howard has represented clients in cases involving the False Claims Act; constitutional issues such as free speech, religious freedom and sovereign immunity; and breach of contract and consumer protection cases. She defends clients against congressional investigations and government investigations conducted by regulatory and enforcement bodies involving healthcare fraud, consumer protection, antitrust and anti-money laundering issues. She focuses on investigations, white collar, and complex commercial litigation and appellate matters. She also has an active pro bono practice representing individuals and organizations in civil rights cases, breach of contract disputes and other matters, with the common thread of community improvement.
Howard’s pro bono achievements include assisting a historically Black D.C. church resolve a breach of contract case tied to loss of revenue during the pandemic and attaining a favorable result for disadvantaged tenants who brought discrimination and wrongful eviction claims against the owner of a D.C. apartment building.
“The National Bar Association has made historic and lasting contributions to the rule of law and I am proud to be recognized by this prestigious organization,” Howard said.
Howard was one of 24 participants in the District of Columbia Bar’s John Payton Leadership Academy Class of 2020 and she was selected by The National Black Lawyers for its list of “Top 40 Under 40” lawyers in Washington, D.C. in 2021 and 2022.