Ms. O’Brien has represented clients in state and federal court as well as arbitration in a broad range of complex civil litigation matters, including insurance bad faith, third-party insurance claims, construction litigation, commercial litigation, and premises liability cases. Ms. O’Brien has experience in all phases of complex litigation, including trial and arbitration.
Representative Experience
- Defended insurers in complex bad faith and statutory delay cases as well as third-party cases, in which extensive monetary damages were claimed, in federal and state court as well as arbitration.
- Assisted insurers in claims investigation for SIU, including taking of Examinations Under Oath.
- Preparation of coverage opinions in variety of areas.
- Obtained a defense verdict for contractor in a construction defect arbitration involving claimed damages of over $10 million.
- Assisted team with successful appeal to the Colorado Supreme Court of key damage issues in product liability matter.
- Obtained summary judgment for clients in federal and state court.

Distinctions

Bar Admissions

University of Denver, Sturm College of Law, J.D., Order of St. Ives, 2002
- Preventive Law Journal
University of Wyoming, B.S., Political Science, 1997

Clerkship, Honorable Justice Gregory Hobbs, Jr., Colorado Supreme Court, Denver, CO, 2002-2003

American Bar Association
- Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section
- Forum on Construction
Colorado Bar Association
Faculty of Federal Advocates
Colorado Defense Lawyers Association
Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM)
Downtown Denver Partnership
- Member, Experience Council
Associated General Contractors
- Member, Legislative Committee
Judge William E. Doyle American Inn of Court
Denver Bar Association
Colorado Women’s Bar Association
Colorado Home Builders Association

Speaker, “Using Waivers to Limit Liability for COVID-19 Exposure Claims,” myLawCLE, July 17, 2020.
Speaker, “Your Guide to Legal Matters,” Business Leaders Podcast, May 25, 2019.
Co Author, “Surge in Apartment Construction Fuels Condo Conversions, Liability Concerns in Denver,” Law Week Colorado, Vol. 15, No. 43, October 22, 2018.
Author, “Choose Your Forum,” Construction Claims, CLM, Fall 2016

P (720) 330-2395

F (720) 330-2301

Sarah is a member of Butler Snow’s Tort, Transportation and Specialized Litigation Group.

Ms. O’Brien has represented clients in state and federal court as well as arbitration in a broad range of complex civil litigation matters, including insurance bad faith, third-party insurance claims, construction litigation, commercial litigation, and premises liability cases. Ms. O’Brien has experience in all phases of complex litigation, including trial and arbitration.
Representative Experience
- Defended insurers in complex bad faith and statutory delay cases as well as third-party cases, in which extensive monetary damages were claimed, in federal and state court as well as arbitration.
- Assisted insurers in claims investigation for SIU, including taking of Examinations Under Oath.
- Preparation of coverage opinions in variety of areas.
- Obtained a defense verdict for contractor in a construction defect arbitration involving claimed damages of over $10 million.
- Assisted team with successful appeal to the Colorado Supreme Court of key damage issues in product liability matter.
- Obtained summary judgment for clients in federal and state court.

University of Denver, Sturm College of Law, J.D., Order of St. Ives, 2002
- Preventive Law Journal
University of Wyoming, B.S., Political Science, 1997

Clerkship, Honorable Justice Gregory Hobbs, Jr., Colorado Supreme Court, Denver, CO, 2002-2003

American Bar Association
- Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section
- Forum on Construction
Colorado Bar Association
Faculty of Federal Advocates
Colorado Defense Lawyers Association
Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM)
Downtown Denver Partnership
- Member, Experience Council
Associated General Contractors
- Member, Legislative Committee
Judge William E. Doyle American Inn of Court
Denver Bar Association
Colorado Women’s Bar Association
Colorado Home Builders Association

Speaker, “Using Waivers to Limit Liability for COVID-19 Exposure Claims,” myLawCLE, July 17, 2020.
Speaker, “Your Guide to Legal Matters,” Business Leaders Podcast, May 25, 2019.
Co Author, “Surge in Apartment Construction Fuels Condo Conversions, Liability Concerns in Denver,” Law Week Colorado, Vol. 15, No. 43, October 22, 2018.
Author, “Choose Your Forum,” Construction Claims, CLM, Fall 2016