Brett specialises in building and construction law and related insurance disputes. Prior to coming to the bar he worked as a solicitor in both the Construction Insurance and Construction Infrastructure groups at Phillips Fox. His major clients in Construction Insurance were HIH Insurance and Royal and Sun Alliance Insurance, for whom he acted (generally) in domestic building defendant litigation matters. He also provided advice in relation to the interpretation of insurance policies, construction contracts and insurance related statutory provisions. In Construction Infrastructure he acted for a number of statutory authorities and larger builders in both plaintiff and defendant litigation and arbitrations. He also provided advice in relation to construction contract claims and administration for ongoing construction projects.

After being admitted to practise, Brett spent a year as a Policy Officer with the Department of Infrastructure (Office of Building). He was responsible for the day to day administration of the Contracts Advisory Panel - an advisory group set up to analyse and approve standard form construction contracts and special conditions suitable for use on government funded construction projects. He was also involved in the preparation of government tendering guidelines and investigated and reported on complaints made in relation to government construction tendering processes.

Brett was a concreting sub-contractor for 10 years prior to commencing his law degree.