Brett Mason is a name that carries weight in civil defense litigation, particularly in cases where science, procedure, and courtroom discipline intersect. As a partner at Troutman Pepper Locke, Mason has built a national practice that spans mass tort, personal injury, and wrongful death litigation, with a concentration in health sciences and tobacco defense. Her work reflects a career shaped by trial readiness, careful preparation, and a measured approach to emerging legal challenges, including the use of generative AI in legal practice.
This interview style feature draws from Mason’s professional biography and recent question and answer discussions to examine how her experience in the courtroom informs her leadership roles, her perspective on technology, and her broader view of the profession.
In an era where many civil cases resolve long before a jury is seated, Brett Mason stands out for her direct trial involvement. She has served as trial counsel or in a trial support role in more than twenty civil jury trials, along with a major construction arbitration. That experience is not incidental. It shapes how she approaches every stage of litigation, from discovery through motion practice and witness examination.
Mason’s practice focuses on defending clients in high stakes matters that often involve complex scientific and medical issues. These include national mass tort proceedings involving medical devices and therapeutic products, as well as tobacco litigation across jurisdictions ranging from Massachusetts to the United States Virgin Islands. Her work requires not only legal precision but also a working command of the scientific record underlying each case.
According to Mason, trial preparation is not a phase that begins shortly before opening statements. It is a discipline that informs how discovery is conducted, how depositions are taken, and how expert testimony is evaluated. That mindset allows her to advise clients with a realistic assessment of risk and a clear understanding of how arguments will resonate in a courtroom setting.
One defining feature of Mason’s practice is her ability to integrate scientific understanding with courtroom advocacy. In litigation involving health sciences, juries are often asked to evaluate technical evidence that can easily become confusing or misleading if not presented carefully. Mason places emphasis on translating complex concepts into clear narratives without oversimplifying the underlying facts.
Her role frequently involves preparing and examining expert witnesses, challenging opposing experts, and ensuring that scientific testimony aligns with the applicable legal standards. This work has become especially significant in light of evolving evidentiary rules, including recent amendments to Federal Rule of Evidence 702.
Mason is a regular speaker on these issues, presenting to national legal audiences on expert admissibility and effective cross examination. Through organizations such as the American Bar Association and the Defense Research Institute, she teaches other practitioners how to approach expert evidence with rigor and discipline.
Beyond the courtroom, Brett Mason has taken on a visible leadership role in addressing how generative AI intersects with legal practice. She currently serves as vice chair of the AI Task Force at the Defense Research Institute, a role that places her at the center of ongoing conversations about technology, ethics, and professional responsibility.
The Task Force was established in response to growing questions within the legal community about how AI tools should be evaluated and used. Mason became involved due in part to her longstanding interest in litigation technology. Earlier in her career, she built a reputation for practical presentations on the use of digital tools in trial settings, including courtroom presentation technology.
As chair of the original working group that later evolved into a formal task force, Mason has focused on helping lawyers understand both the capabilities and the limits of AI tools. Her position is clear. Automation can assist with routine tasks, but it does not replace the judgment and accountability that lawyers owe to their clients and the courts.
In her recent discussions, Mason has addressed common misconceptions surrounding generative AI. Highly publicized incidents involving fabricated legal citations have led some lawyers to either misuse public AI tools or avoid them entirely. Mason views both reactions as problematic.
She emphasizes that the issue is not whether AI can be useful, but whether it is deployed responsibly. Lawyers remain accountable for the accuracy of their work product, regardless of whether a tool assisted in drafting or analysis. Human review, verification, and controlled testing are not optional steps.
Mason has described internal evaluations where AI tools were tested against approved legal templates. While initial outputs appeared polished, closer review revealed substantive deviations, including altered clause names and condensed provisions. These findings reinforced the need for line by line review and documented audit trails when evaluating any AI system.
Her guidance to firms is practical rather than theoretical. Before adopting any tool, lawyers should understand what data it accesses, how outputs are generated, and how errors can be detected. Productivity gains must never come at the expense of accuracy or confidentiality.
Education has been a consistent thread throughout Mason’s career. She is an in demand speaker and writer on litigation strategy, evidence, and technology. Her presentations are designed to be practical, grounded in real case experience rather than abstract theory.
In addition to formal speaking engagements, Mason hosts a podcast titled The Good Bot, which examines the intersection of AI, health care, and law. The series reflects her broader approach to professional development. Rather than promoting technology for its own sake, she focuses on how legal frameworks adapt to new tools and how lawyers can maintain ethical standards in changing environments.
Her teaching style mirrors her courtroom approach. Clear explanations, careful sourcing, and a focus on what practitioners actually face in daily practice.
While much of Mason’s litigation practice involves national corporate clients, her professional record also reflects a sustained commitment to pro bono representation. She has handled matters focused on social justice, including immigration appeals with life altering consequences.
One notable case involved representing a Guatemalan woman seeking protection under the Convention Against Torture. Mason’s work before the Third Circuit Court of Appeals resulted in a successful appeal and reversal of a removal order. In another matter, she led a team defending a prominent Atlanta rabbi against claims related to his advisory role within his community. The case concluded with the rabbi’s complete dismissal from the matter.
These cases underscore a broader principle that Mason articulates often. The skills required to defend complex commercial cases are the same skills that can and should be applied in service of individuals facing significant legal challenges.
As the legal profession continues to adapt to technological and regulatory change, Brett Mason remains focused on fundamentals. Trial readiness, ethical responsibility, and clear communication remain central, regardless of how tools evolve.
The AI Task Force is planning future initiatives that include skills based seminars demonstrating vetted AI tools for specific legal tasks. These programs are designed to show lawyers how to integrate technology into practice without losing sight of professional obligations.
For Mason, the goal is not disruption but continuity. New tools should support careful legal analysis, not replace it. Young lawyers, in particular, must still learn how to think critically, evaluate evidence, and understand how arguments function in real courtrooms.
Brett Mason has built a career that reflects both depth and balance. Her national trial experience informs her leadership roles, her teaching, and her approach to emerging issues like generative AI. At the same time, her commitment to pro bono work and professional education reflects a broader view of what it means to practice law responsibly.
In a profession often shaped by rapid change, Mason’s work serves as a reminder that careful preparation, accountability, and respect for the rule of law remain constant. Those principles continue to guide her practice and her influence within the legal community.
