Brent Owen
Biography
Brent Owen is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group in Haynes Boone’s Denver office.
His practice focuses on high-stakes trial work in both state and federal courts before judges and juries and in arbitration tribunals. Brent’s litigation practice emphasizes energy litigation, complex commercial disputes, construction disputes, and environmental claims. An experienced first-chair trial lawyer, Brent has been retained on the eve of trial to help clients change the dynamic and obtain a favorable result. He also often lectures and writes on evidentiary issues, and is a member of Colorado’s Civil Rules Committee.
Brent Owen is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group in Haynes Boone’s Denver office.
His practice focuses on high-stakes trial work in both state and federal courts before judges and juries and in arbitration tribunals. Brent’s litigation practice emphasizes energy litigation, complex commercial disputes, construction disputes, and environmental claims. An experienced first-chair trial lawyer, Brent has been retained on the eve of trial to help clients change the dynamic and obtain a favorable result. He also often lectures and writes on evidentiary issues, and is a member of Colorado’s Civil Rules Committee.
Energy Litigation
- Defeated a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction brought by a private equity-backed oil and gas company against a landowner over development by the landowner near the oil company’s well.
- Following a weeklong jury trial, obtained a defense verdict for a midstream oil and gas company facing multimillion-dollar claims related to drilling an oil and gas well in Eddy County, New Mexico.
- Defeated a temporary restraining order brought in Delaware Chancery Court involving a US$75 million contract dispute. Following the defeat of the temporary restraining order, served as lead counsel for an expedited trial, including depositions of the opposing party’s executives. On the eve of trial, obtained a dismissal of the suit and negotiated a take-nothing settlement
Complex Commercial Disputes
- Won a lengthy, hotly contested, complex securities fraud case for a Middle East investor after trial in the United States that resulted in a US$1million settlement from the aiders and abettors, and a judgment in excess of US$23 million against the primary fraudster.
- Lead counsel for a weeklong bench trial in Mesa County, Colorado. Obtained a complete defense verdict in complex, long-running estate dispute on behalf of a personal representative defeating multimillion-dollar claims for breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment/constructive trust, excessive compensation and surcharge.
- Retained by a mining company for a confidential American Arbitration Association (AAA) arbitration concerning the enforcement of contractual rights. Obtained a favorable resolution of the dispute for the client following initial hearings.
- Prosecuted theft of trade secret and violation of noncompetition agreement claims to obtain a favorable settlement for an injured client.
- Obtained dismissal of a complaint seeking to pierce the corporate veil against a private equity group to recover on sizeable judgment.
- Counsel in complex trade secrets and patent dispute for a large medical device company that resulted in a favorable settlement at the close of discovery.
- Lead counsel for dozens of nationwide class actions involving claims about the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
Construction Disputes
- Retained on the eve of trial to assist a plaintiff in a multimillion-dollar construction defect claim. Defeated multiple dispositive motions, excluding the bulk of the defendant’s expert witness testimony, and obtained a favorable settlement on the eve of trial.
- In a Miller Act case involving millions in alleged damages for the construction of barracks in Doha, Qatar, obtained complete dismissal of claims on summary judgment and cost award to clients. Decision affirmed by the Seventh Circuit in a precedent-setting published opinion.
Environmental Litigation
- Represented a landfill in Ohio in multiple venues (including the Ohio Supreme Court) to defeat coordinated, unlawful effort to deprive landfill of its operating license.
- Represented pipeline client in State AG claims about alleged releases of PFAs into the environment.
- Litigated and advised on several disputes (or pre-dispute settlement negotiations) involving alleged releases of “forever chemicals.”
- Part of team that represented company in 3-week CERCLA trial involving 8-figures in alleged damages. Client obtained a defense verdict.
Some of these representations were handled by Brent prior to joining Haynes Boone.
- Member of American Enterprise Institute Leadership Network
- Colorado Supreme Court Advisory Committee on the Rules of Civil Procedure, 2015-21
- Academy 360, Founding Board Member and Secretary, 2011-2014
- Colorado Succeeds Advisory Council – member of Colorado Succeeds Talent Task Force
- Community Garden Committee for Swigert Elementary (Denver, Colorado, Denver Public Schools)
- Daniels Fund Scholarship Selection Review Committee
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America, Woodward/White, Inc., 2021-2023, 2025: Ones to Watch for Energy Law in Denver
- Up & Coming Lawyers, Law Week Colorado, 2017
Education
J.D., University of Colorado Law School, managing editor, Journal on Telecommunications and High Technology Law, Order of the Coif (top 10%)
B.A., Wofford College, cum laude
Clerkships
Law Clerk to the Honorable Nancy E. Rice, Colorado Supreme Court, 2012-2013
Admissions
Colorado
New Mexico
Wyoming
Court Admissions
U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
United States Supreme Court
Owen in Law Week Colorado: Repeat Litigants, What Is This Settlement Even Worth?
November 12, 2024