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Although Bryan Browns is a passionate attorney, he is better known as a public servant.
Browns helps lead the not-for-profit organization Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County, Browns sees his work as multi-tasking. Unlike other lawyers, his job is not only to represent his clients in a court of law, but also to understand them, and in doing so, advance human rights, preserving Americans’ right to a lawyer and serving those most in need. Browns, literally, “lawyer for the people.”
The Browns tour began on Long Island in Canada. Born in Toronto and raised in Montreal, Browns spent his entire upbringing as “our neighbor to the north.” He attended college in Canada and earned his bachelor’s degree in English from the prestigious McGill University — one of Canada’s most prestigious institutions of higher learning.
After graduating, Browns experienced a transformative period in his life, due to travel. Living out of a backpack, Browns visited far-flung places like Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Israel. According to Browns, this was a life-changing experience that opened his eyes to the nature of his legal career.
Whether teaching English in South Korea or witnessing the depths of poverty in Sudan, Browns was able to enter the legal field and become a voice for the voiceless in in a unique way.
“When I went out into the world, I saw what it was like to be a little kid,” Browns said. “It brought me back to my Canadian upbringing. When I was abroad, I saw the haves and the have-nots. It made me realize how sad, often, those who don’t always get ahead.I think these experiences inspired me to pursue my law degree.
Upon his return, Browns left Canada to pursue his law school ambitions. He attended the University of Detroit, Mercy School of Law. During the three years he pursued his Juris Doctorate, he maintained the spirit of mission he gained from his past experiences.
After graduating, he came to New York, graduated, and tried his hand as a public defender. Browns joined Legal Aid of Suffolk County in 2004 and has been with the organization ever since.
“When someone goes to law school, it’s always an open book,” he said. “So, in my case, I asked myself: Did I want to be a human rights lawyer? Or should I find another way to affect change? At the end of the day, all the lessons It was about the Constitution and the rights of Americans that I realized the true impact of this document – one of the greatest treaties on humanity and human freedom.
“These days, the Law twists and turns, but the area where it is most needed, and most requested, is in criminal protection,” he continued. “I have become passionate about protecting human rights, which is why I continue to work at Legal Aid every day. Those who cannot afford a lawyer are the most vulnerable to having their rights violated by the government.”
Browns quickly made a name for herself at Legal Aid, thanks to her effectiveness in the lives of her clients and success in the courtroom. He spent 13 years as a trial and administrative attorney and was appointed director of litigation in 2017. Not long after, he was tapped to lead the office as chief enforcement officer, a title he holds today.
He says being a Paralegal is about more than knowing the law, it’s about listening and learning about clients. Each person working in the organization has their own story, their own challenges and their own voice.
“First of all, my time at Legal Aid allowed me to get to know my clients,” he says. “For over 18 years, I have gotten to know my clients, their lives and their struggles. While some are on the wrong side of the law, it’s important to learn how they got there. By listening to my clients and learning about the communities they come from, I realized that an important part of this job — and protecting the Constitution — is who your client is a why their special needs. This is what I am trying to convey.
“In my career in Legal Aid, I’ve learned that it’s not about my title, wins or losses,” he added. “The best experience is getting started on the road to getting to know the different communities in Suffolk County, where public defenders are needed the most. Of course, it’s a work in progress, but it’s a learning experience. it will never end for me.”
Over the years, Browns Legal Aid work has grown in size and scope. What hasn’t changed is its mission and the purpose of the organization. His main goal is to ensure that everyone has access to quality legal counsel. He took it to heart.
Although many refer to lawyers as “advocates,” the Browns’ work represents a more nuanced definition of the term, providing public exposure and discussion of the importance of advocates. the people.
“When you work as a counselor or a counselor, your job is to listen first. Your job is not to think because you have a law degree, you know or you know how to what people want,” he said. “Too many lawyers think they know what’s best for their clients before they get to know them. When a client comes to you, and he has committed a crime, it is important to eliminate what happened and why this person came to this place.
“This is something that will never come across in a book, in a seminar, or taught to you in law school classes,” he said. “Every day, people in our field have to follow their own ideology or political struggle, and reach out to people with open pages to find out how you can advocate for them. You have to be open and realize that you don’t know the answers. You have to work to find the answers on a case-by-case basis. There is never a one-size-fits-all approach.”
Browns and his wife call Westhampton home. Beginning their time in the East End in 2012, they love the area for the quality of life in the outdoors, especially, fall, winter and spring.
“My office is in Riverhead, so it’s only 20 minutes away,” he says. “I bought my home in 2014 and I still love winter. Living here I know that I can have a great life, with the great and kind people in Westhampton that we are lucky to have. to call our neighbors.
“Westhampton is a smart town. I love going to Eckart’s for breakfast and coffee, especially in the winter — when there’s no one around,” he continued. home from work and arriving in Westhampton, I feel like I’m a world away – far from New York, far from Long Island.”
Todd Shapiro is an award-winning journalist and associate publisher of Dan’s Papers.
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