Brent first started doing criminal defense and public defender work after passing the bar examination prior to going to work at the Arkansas Attorney General's Office.  He maintained a law practice in Montgomery and Polk Counties after passing the bar examination in 1985.

After serving as a District Court Judge from 2003-2004, Brent again resumed his practice of criminal defense work and also became a part-time Deputy Public Defender for Saline County in 2008.

In 2019, after serving 11 years as Deputy Public Defender, Brent became the Managing/Chief Public Defender for Saline County where he performs administrative tasks including supervision of other attorneys and staff while maintaining a full case load of felony cases to defend.  This defense includes negotiated pleas and trials of cases before judges and juries in all Saline County courts.

In his capacity as a criminal defense attorney Brent has defended all kinds of cases from minor traffic offenses to capital murder.

Oral argument before the Supreme Court of Arkansas sitting at a special session at Arkansas Northeastern College, Blytheville, Arkansas, 4.8.2010; case was a capital murder case which occurred in Saline County, Arkansas, and Brent argued the case on behalf of the Appellant/Defendant.