# Deep Research Report on Brian Netter ![[Brian Netter.png]] ## Executive Summary Brian David Netter emerges as a central figure in what [The Federalist describes as a coordinated effort by the Biden administration to reward Russia collusion hoax participants while building a "legal resistance" network against Donald Trump](https://thefederalist.com/2025/08/01/exclusive-doj-official-who-approved-2-million-payout-to-disgraced-russia-hoaxers-identified-as-left-wing-activist-brian-netter/). As the Department of Justice official who approved $2 million in taxpayer-funded settlements to disgraced FBI agents Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, Netter's career trajectory reveals a pattern of moving seamlessly between corporate law, government service, and Democratic political activism. ## Personal Background and Education Brian David Netter represents the [archetype of the elite legal establishment](https://www.justice.gov/archives/civil/staff-profile/former-deputy-assistant-attorney-general-brian-netter). He earned his undergraduate and master's degrees in Industrial & Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan, graduating summa cum laude, before obtaining his [J.D. from Yale Law School](https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/2016-05-12-Brian-Netter-Testimony-Mayer-Brown-LLP.pdf). His academic achievements included winning the Thurman Arnold Prize for best oralist and the Potter Stewart Prize for best team in the Morris Tyler Moot Court of Appeals, along with [several other academic honors](https://lawyers.justia.com/lawyer/brian-netter-1441843). Following law school, Netter secured prestigious federal clerkships that would define his career trajectory. He clerked first for Judge Judith Rogers on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit from 2006-2007, then for [Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer from 2010-2011](https://www.justice.gov/archives/civil/staff-profile/former-deputy-assistant-attorney-general-brian-netter). These positions placed him at the heart of the federal judicial system and established connections that would prove crucial throughout his career. ## Professional Career: The Revolving Door Pattern ### Corporate Law Practice (2007-2010, 2011-2021) Netter spent over twelve years as an associate and partner at [Mayer Brown LLP, one of the nation's most prestigious law firms](https://therevolvingdoorproject.org/revolver-spotlight-brian-netter/). During his tenure, he defended a litany of major corporations in high-stakes litigation, including oil giant Royal Dutch Shell, weapons manufacturer Northrop Grumman, and [telecom monopolist AT&T](https://therevolvingdoorproject.org/biden-revolvers-brian-netter/). His corporate practice revealed a consistent pattern of defending business interests against workers and regulatory oversight. Netter personally defended employers in wage theft cases, arguing that delivery drivers were independent contractors rather than employees entitled to labor protections—the same strategy employed by companies like UberEats and DoorDash. He also defended major corporations accused of illegally mismanaging employee retirement savings and represented chemical company Arkema in [successfully suing the EPA to overturn parts of its cap-and-trade rules](https://therevolvingdoorproject.org/biden-revolvers-brian-netter/). ### DOJ Service Under Biden (2021-2025) On April 26, 2021, [Netter was appointed Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Federal Programs Branch of the DOJ's Civil Division](https://www.justice.gov/archives/civil/staff-profile/former-deputy-assistant-attorney-general-brian-netter). This position, which did not require Senate confirmation, placed him in charge of [defending Biden administration policies against legal challenges from Republican attorneys general and conservative groups](https://www.businessinsider.com/doj-lawyer-women-soccer-equal-pay-case-biden-brian-netter-2021-4). #### The Strzok-Page Settlement Scandal The most controversial aspect of Netter's DOJ tenure emerged in August 2025 when [The Federalist revealed that he had personally approved $2 million in taxpayer-funded settlements to Peter Strzok and Lisa Page](https://thefederalist.com/2025/08/01/exclusive-doj-official-who-approved-2-million-payout-to-disgraced-russia-hoaxers-identified-as-left-wing-activist-brian-netter/). Strzok received $1.2 million while Page received $800,000 for their lawsuit claiming that the release of their anti-Trump text messages violated their privacy. These settlements represent a stunning reward for two FBI officials whose bias against Trump was so extreme that even Special Counsel Robert Mueller removed Strzok from his investigation. The texts revealed Strzok and Page discussing an "insurance policy" against Trump's election and expressing their determination to "stop" Trump from becoming president. ![[CleanShot 2025-08-01 at [email protected]]]Link: https://x.com/mgEyesOpen/status/1951290436892463486) ### Democracy Forward: The Lawfare Network In January 2025, immediately upon leaving the DOJ, [Netter joined Democracy Forward as Legal Director](https://democracyforward.org/updates/deep-bench-of-former-justice-department-officials-attorneys-join-democracy-forward-as-part-of-organizations-build-to-meet-the-moment-advance-democracy/). This organization, launched in 2017 specifically to wage lawfare against Trump, boasts of having [taken Trump to court more than 100 times during his first term](https://www.independentsentinel.com/doj-official-paid-off-strzok-page-then-went-to-work-for-marc-elias/). Democracy Forward's board is chaired by Marc Elias, the attorney who as Clinton campaign general counsel signed the checks funding the Steele dossier that formed the basis of the Russia collusion hoax. Other board members include John Podesta (former Clinton campaign manager), Ronald Klain (former Biden Chief of Staff), and Maya Harris (Kamala Harris's sister). ## Personal Connections: The Democratic Network ### Marriage to Karen Dunn In 2009, [Netter married Karen Dunn in a ceremony officiated by Merrick Garland](https://www.washingtonian.com/2016/05/06/attorneys-won-landmark-case-budget-autonomy-act-dc/), who was then a D.C. Circuit judge and would later become Biden's Attorney General. This detail underscores the intimate nature of the Democratic legal establishment's interconnections. Karen Dunn is herself a significant figure in Democratic politics. She served as a key lawyer for Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign and has specialized in debate preparation for Democratic candidates, working with Barack Obama for his re-election, Hillary Clinton in 2016, and [Kamala Harris in 2024](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/karen-dunn-54b2655b_so-proud-of-my-husband-brian-netter-who-fought-activity-7287175072203567106-A7j0). Dunn also clerked for Garland on the D.C. Circuit and for [Justice Breyer on the Supreme Court](https://www.washingtonian.com/2016/05/06/attorneys-won-landmark-case-budget-autonomy-act-dc/). Dunn recently started a law firm with Jeannie Rhee, one of the attorneys who worked on perpetuating the Russia collusion hoax through the Mueller investigation. The firm also hired Mueller alumnus Rush Atkinson. ## Congressional Testimony and Public Appearances Netter's only significant congressional testimony occurred on May 12, 2016, when he appeared before the [House Oversight Committee's Subcommittee on Government Operations](https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/2016-05-12-Brian-Netter-Testimony-Mayer-Brown-LLP.pdf). He testified as pro bono counsel for the D.C. Council regarding the District of Columbia Budget Autonomy Act, arguing that [the act was consistent with the Home Rule Act of 1973](https://chairmanmendelson.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/5.12.16-Mendelson-Testimony-DC-Budget-Autonomy.pdf). During this testimony, Netter presented himself as conducting a "no-stones-unturned investigation" into the legal issues, claiming to have contacted living members of Congress and consulted personal archives of deceased legislators. This appearance demonstrates his skill at presenting complex legal arguments to congressional audiences. ## Context Within Current Declassifications Netter's role takes on heightened significance in light of recent declassifications and revelations about the Russia collusion hoax. While he is not directly mentioned in the Mueller or Durham reports that were publicly released, his approval of settlements to key Russia hoax participants while serving in the Biden DOJ suggests potential coordination to [reward those who participated in what Durham concluded was an unfounded investigation](https://thefederalist.com/2025/07/28/ratcliffe-cia-to-declassify-durham-docs-showing-fbi-dumped-oil-on-the-fire-of-russia-hoax/). The timing is particularly striking: Netter approved these settlements during the same period that new evidence was emerging about the fabricated nature of the Russia investigation. [The recently declassified Durham report annex reveals that U.S. intelligence had credible information that Hillary Clinton approved a plan to tie Trump to Russia, and that the FBI would "put more oil into the fire" of this manufactured controversy](https://thefederalist.com/2025/07/31/docs-soros-executive-predicted-fbi-would-put-more-oil-into-the-fire-of-russia-hoax/). ## Social Media and Public Profile Unlike many political figures, Netter maintains a minimal social media presence. [His Twitter account (@briannetter) shows limited activity](https://x.com/briannetter?lang=en), and his [LinkedIn posts are restricted to professional announcements](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/brian-netter-1862621_today-marks-the-end-of-my-nearly-four-year-activity-7287091564051333120-sLM2). This low profile is consistent with someone operating behind the scenes in the legal and political establishment. Research found no evidence of Netter appearing on podcasts or giving media interviews, suggesting he prefers to work through institutional channels rather than public advocacy. ## Financial Profile According to government ethics filings, [Netter's estimated net worth ranges from $8.7 million to $22.9 million](https://www.insidebidensbasement.org/appointees/brian-netter?org=georgetown-university). This wealth accumulation reflects his successful corporate law practice and positions him among the affluent professional class that has benefited from the revolving door between government service and private practice. ## Senate Confirmation Status Crucially, [Netter's position as Deputy Assistant Attorney General did not require Senate confirmation](https://www.justice.gov/archives/civil/staff-profile/former-deputy-assistant-attorney-general-brian-netter). This allowed the Biden administration to install him in a sensitive position overseeing federal litigation without the scrutiny that a confirmation hearing would have provided. Had senators been able to question him, they might have uncovered his extensive connections to Democratic political networks and his plans to reward Russia hoax participants. ## Implications for the Current Political Moment Netter's career trajectory embodies what critics describe as the "Deep State" or permanent bureaucracy that operates across administrations to advance particular political objectives. His movement from corporate law to government service to Democratic lawfare organization demonstrates how legal professionals can leverage government positions to advance partisan political goals. The revelation that he approved millions in settlements to Strzok and Page while planning his own transition to an anti-Trump organization raises serious questions about conflicts of interest and the politicization of the Justice Department. It suggests a coordinated effort to reward those who participated in the Russia investigation while building infrastructure for continued legal warfare against Trump. ## Conclusion Brian Netter represents a new archetype in American politics: the partisan bureaucrat who uses government authority to advance political objectives while maintaining the veneer of legal propriety. His approval of settlements to Russia hoax participants, combined with his immediate transition to leading anti-Trump lawfare efforts, reveals the extent to which the Biden administration's Justice Department was captured by Democratic political operatives. As declassified documents continue to expose the fabricated nature of the Russia investigation, Netter's role in rewarding its key participants takes on the appearance of a coverup operation designed to buy silence and loyalty. His current position at Democracy Forward, working under Marc Elias to continue legal warfare against Trump, suggests that the same networks responsible for the Russia hoax remain active and coordinated in their efforts to undermine Trump's presidency. [The Federalist's exclusive reporting on Netter's role](https://thefederalist.com/2025/08/01/exclusive-doj-official-who-approved-2-million-payout-to-disgraced-russia-hoaxers-identified-as-left-wing-activist-brian-netter/) provides crucial insight into how the administrative state can be weaponized for partisan purposes, operating through networks of like-minded legal professionals who move seamlessly between government and activism. Understanding figures like Netter is essential for comprehending how the modern Democratic Party maintains power through institutional capture rather than electoral success.