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Brett R. Cavanaugh
Contract Attorney
Overview
Brett Cavanaugh advises nonprofit organizations on corporate governance, tax matters, regulatory compliance, and strategic operations. His practice includes advising clients on organizational formation, applications for tax-exempt status, governance policies, board and executive leadership matters, contracting, federal tax compliance, and charitable registration and reporting obligations.
Prior Experience
Before joining Faegre Drinker, Brett was a legal fellow at Notre Dame Law School, where he helped oversee law students working with religious nonprofit organizations on various tax, corporate, transactional, employment, and other strategic issues. He also practiced law at a firm in Boston. As a law student, he interned for the Honorable Robert H. Cleland on the US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Prior to law school, Brett was a middle school teacher in Texas and New York, and he served as a chaplain at University College Cork in Ireland.
Personal Interests
In his free time, Brett enjoys running, traveling with his wife, and cheering for the Fighting Irish.
Credentials
Bar Admissions
Indiana
Massachusetts
Education
Boston College Law School
J.D. cum laude (2022)
University of Notre Dame
M.Ed. (2015)
University of Notre Dame
B.A. in Political Science (2013)
Leadership & Community
Civic Activities
- Saint Thomas More Society of South Bend — Board Member, 2025-present
- Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley — Member, 2026-present