Timothy M. O'Brien

Partner

TOBrien@faegre.com
office:612-766-8322
Minneapolis office
2200 Wells Fargo Center
90 South Seventh Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402-3901

Experience

Tim O'Brien represents persons and firms engaged in the construction industry, including contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, sureties, design professionals and owners, with particular emphasis on the negotiation, arbitration and litigation of construction, surety and insurance law matters. Since 1970 he has practiced exclusively in construction law, especially in the resolution of complex construction disputes including specifically numerous multimillion dollar delay and disruption lawsuits, arbitrations and mediations.

Tim regularly represents leading construction companies in the Upper Midwest, including the region's largest contractor. His clients include major construction firms doing business across the United States.

Professional Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in America, Construction Law, 2008–2009 
  • Super Lawyers, Construction/Surety, 2009

Clerkships

  • Minnesota Supreme Court, Hon. William Murphy, 1969-1970

Presentations

  • Another Perfect Storm:  Successfully Navigating Your Way Through the Electronically-Managed Project
    ABA Forum on the Construction Industry (2007)
  • Handling Design/Build Claims
    Twenty-Fourth Annual National Seminar on Government Contracts, St. Paul, MN (1995)
  • Dispute Review Boards
    American Institute of Constructors, St. Petersburg, Fl. (1994)
  • Origins and Purposes of Surety Bonds on Public Projects
    Section of Public Contract Law, Boston, Mass. (1994)
  • Delays, Disruptions and Liquidated Damages
    University of St. Thomas Graduate School of Business, Minneapolis, Minn. (1993)
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution: Strategies and Methods
    Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, Minneapolis, MN (1992)
  • Insuring and Bonding Design/Build Projects
    Forum on the Construction Industry, Washington, DC (1990)
  • The Fifth Annual Construction Institute, co-Chair
    Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, Minneapolis, MN (1990)
  • Construction Law Update 1988 and Beyond
    Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (1988)
  • Risk Allocation for Materials, Equipment and Subcontractors Specified by Contract: A Contractor's Perspective
    Forum on the Construction Industry, Tampa, FL (1988)
  • Review of Current Design/Build Documents
    Forum on the Construction Industry, San Francisco, CA (1987)
  • Scheduling and Time Claims
    Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN (1986)
  • Third-Party Claims Against the Design Professional, the Owner, the Construction Manager and the Prime Contractor
    Minnesota Institute of Legal Education, Minneapolis, MN (1986)
  • 1984 Construction Review: Legal Decisions Affecting Electrical and Electronic Engineering Professionals
    Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Minneapolis, MN (1985)
  • Mechanic's Lien Overview Update
    Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (1984)
  • Responsibilities of the Construction Manager
    Advanced Legal Education, Minneapolis, MN (1983)
  • Conducting the Arbitration Hearing
    American Arbitration Association (1981)
  • Construction Delays; Recognition and Recovery
    Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (1981)
  • Responsive Bids and Responsible Bidders
    Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (1980)

Publications

  • The Construction Lawyer
    American Bar Association (2008)
  • Surety Bonds Public Projects
    American Bar Association (1994)
  • Colorado Construction Law
    Federal Publications (1994)
  • Midwest Construction Law
    Federal Publications (1993)
  • Midwest Construction Law
    Federal Publications (1992)
  • Midwest Construction Law
    Federal Publications (1991)
  • Midwest Construction Law
    Federal Publications (1990)
  • Midwest Construction Law
    Federal Publications (1989)

Trade Organizations

  • American Arbitration Association
  • American Arbitration Association National Panel of Construction Arbitrators
  • American Bar Association Arbitration Committee
  • American Bar Association Litigation Section
  • American Bar Association Public Contract Law Section
  • American College of Construction Lawyers, fellow
  • Associated General Contractors, member of various national committees
  • Forum on the Construction Industry
  • Hennepin County Ethics Committee, vice-chair (current)
  • Hennepin County Law Library, Trustee (current)
  • Lawyers Board of Professional Responsibility (1997–2003)
  • Minnesota Client Security Board (current)

Civic Associations

  • Citizens League
  • Minnesota Indian Women Resource Center (MIWRC), volunteer attorney

Related Practices

Construction Litigation
Government Contracts

Related Industries

Construction

Education

University of Minnesota Law School
J.D. (1969)
University of Minnesota
B.A. (1966)

News

03-August-2009 - Faegre & Benson Attorneys Named to Minnesota Super Lawyers List
31-July-2009 - More Than 100 Faegre & Benson Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America
01-October-2008 - The Best Lawyers in America 2009 Includes 95 from Faegre & Benson
31-March-2008 - The Best Lawyers in America 2008 Includes 81 from Faegre & Benson

Bar Admissions

Minnesota

Court Admissions

U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota

Events

18-March-2008 - Construction Law Seminar 2008