
Theodore O'Brien
Summary
Theodore is an experienced litigator and former federal prosecutor who brings a strategic, trial-ready approach to complex commercial litigation matters. He is based in Taft’s Denver office. Before joining the firm, Theodore served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in both the District of Colorado and the Southern District of Florida, where he led high-impact investigations and prosecutions involving wire fraud, money laundering, identity theft, narcotics trafficking, firearms offenses, and COVID-19 relief fraud.
In Colorado, Theodore was a member of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s COVID-19 Strike Force, focusing on large-scale fraud related to EIDL and PPP loan programs. He led white-collar investigations, conducted witness examinations, argued motions, and served as trial counsel in multiple jury trials. In Florida, Theodore tried federal criminal cases to verdict and authored appellate briefs in appeals to the Eleventh Circuit.
Prior to government service, Theodore was a litigation associate where he represented clients in commercial and catastrophic injury litigation, including class actions and product liability defense. He served as trial counsel in a pro bono civil rights action against a Florida prison and secured a $200,000 verdict from a federal jury.
Theodore earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Miami School of Law, where he was elected to the Order of the Coif, served on the Charles C. Papy, Jr. Moot Court Board, and served as an Executive Editor for the University of Miami Business Law Review. He gained additional experience working as a judicial intern to the Hon. John O’Sullivan, Chief Magistrate Judge, Southern District of Florida. Theodore earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Oregon.
Before his law career, Theodore managed a financial services company from its founding as a small startup to one of the 5,000 fastest growing private companies in America. Theodore was formerly a licensed securities broker and FINRA arbitrator.
All Service Areas
Education
- University of Miami School of Law (2020)
magna cum laude
University of Miami Business Law Review, Executive Editor - University of Oregon (2011)
B.A. – Political Science
Admissions
- State - Colorado
- State - Florida
- State - Massachusetts
- Federal - Colorado District Court
- Federal - Florida Northern District Court
- Federal - Florida Southern District Court
- Federal - U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit