Robert J. O'Brien
Partner
Robert J. O'Brien is chair of Shipman's Construction Practice Group, and focuses his practice in the areas of construction, surety and specialized commercial litigation. With more than four decades of construction law experience, he handles a broad range of construction-related matters on behalf of contractors, public and private owners, subcontractors, sureties, architects, engineers and condominium associations. He has conducted numerous jury and bench trials and has extensive experience with arbitration and mediation as dispute resolution alternatives.
A member of the American Bar Association's Forum Committee of the Construction Industry, Bob serves on the American Arbitration Association's National Panel of Arbitrators and has frequently been selected as an arbitrator and mediator in construction disputes. He served as Chair of the Connecticut Bar Association's Construction Law Section from 2007-2009 and is an active member of the Section's Executive Committee, the Connecticut Construction Industries Association and the Construction Institute. He is a frequent panelist and speaker at construction law programs.
Credentials
Education
- Amherst College, B.A.
- Case Western Reserve University School of Law, J.D.
Bar Admissions
- Connecticut
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court, District of CT
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
Distinctions
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America®: Construction Law, Litigation - Construction (2015-2025)
- Named "Lawyer of the Year": Best Lawyers® Hartford Region Construction Law (2016, 2018, 2021, 2023); Construction Litigation (2017, 2019, 2022, 2024)
- Listed as a Connecticut Super Lawyer®: Construction Litigation (2007-2021); Construction/Surety (2007-2015)
- Recipient of the Supplier/Service Provider of the Year Award, Associated General Contractors of Connecticut (2008)
- The Oliver Ellsworth American Inn of Court: Bencher
- Connecticut Bar Foundation: James W. Cooper Fellow
Professional Affiliations
- American Arbitration Association's National Panel of Arbitrators: Current Member
- American Bar Association: Forum Committee of the Construction Industry
- Connecticut Bar Association: Executive Committee (1996-Present); Chair (2007-2009); Construction Law Section
- Construction Institute: Past Program Committee Member
- Associated Builders & Contractors of Connecticut: Legislative Committee, Board of Directors (1995-1998)
Community Involvement
- Town of Avon: Planning and Zoning Commission
- Avon High School: Building Committee