Attorney Sean Connelly's Legal Cases

Appeals

Sean Connelly Wins Tenth Circuit Appeal Protecting Native American Religious Rights

Feb 01, 2014

OUTCOME:

Sean Connelly provided pro bono representation to Plaintiff Andrew J. Yellowbear, Jr. in a successful appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals Tenth Circuit under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalize ... d Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA). On January 23, 2014, the Tenth Circuit overturned a federal district court opinion that had allowed a Wyoming state prison to deny Mr. Yellowbear’s right to participate in the Native American Sacred Sweat Lodge ceremonies. The Tenth Circuit’s eloquent opinion sets an important precedent recognizing prison inmates’ rights to exercise their religious beliefs.

Government

False Claims Act Whistleblower Lawsuit

Dec 01, 2011

OUTCOME: $26 million settlement

In 2008, Bobby Maxwell and his outside trial attorneys were appealing a federal judge’s post-trial dismissal of their False Claims Act whistleblower lawsuit, which had resulted in a $7.5 million jury v ... erdict on behalf of Maxwell and the U.S. government against a major oil company. Sean was brought in to brief and argue the federal appeal. The firm won before the Tenth Circuit, which reversed the dismissal and remanded the case to the trial court. Reilly Pozner then represented Mr. Maxwell for post-trial motions in the trial court, which entered judgment in the amount of $22.9 million against Kerr-McGee, and during a post-judgment appeal brought by Kerr-McGee. In December 2011, during the pendency of Kerr-McGee’s appeal, the parties settled for $26 million.

Civil rights

Landmark Settlement with the State of Colorado in a Civil Rights Lawsuit

Jan 01, 2011

OUTCOME: Settlement

Obtaining landmark settlement with the State of Colorado in a civil rights lawsuit over provision of competency evaluations to pre-trial detainees. Legal Center v. Bicha, et al., Case No. 11-CV-2285-BN ... B (D. Colo. 2011).

Appeals

Denver Broncos Football Club Ownership

Jan 01, 2006

OUTCOME: Complete victory

In 2006, Pat Bowlen was still embroiled in a lawsuit with a former owner over the right to own the Denver Broncos Football Club. After a lengthy jury trial handled by Reilly Pozner, a federal trial jud ... ge had rejected the former owner’s claim to a majority ownership interest. The judge also ruled given an alleged breach of a right of first refusal that the former owner was entitled to seek a minority ownership interest. The sides filed cross-appeals. Sean’s briefing and oral argument help convince the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit to affirm the ruling in favor of Bowlen and reverse the ruling in favor of the former owner. The appeal, a complete victory for our client, was announced in a published opinion. Reilly Pozner is ongoing litigation counsel for the Denver Broncos Football Club and its ownership.

Government

Lead Appellate Prosecutor in the Trials of the Oklahoma City Bombers

N/A

OUTCOME: Conviction and death sentence of Timothy McVeigh. Conviction and life sentence of Terry Nichols.

The bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building resulted in 168 deaths and hundreds of injuries. As Special Attorney to the U.S. Attorney General, Sean was a member of the trial team and the lead app ... ellate prosecutor. These prosecutions resulted in the conviction and death sentence of Timothy McVeigh, and the conviction and life sentence of Terry Nichols. For his role in these prosecutions, Sean received the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service, the Department’s highest award.

Sean Connelly's Legal Cases (5)

Sean Connelly Wins Tenth Circuit Appeal Protecting Native American Religious Rights

False Claims Act Whistleblower Lawsuit

Landmark Settlement with the State of Colorado in a Civil Rights Lawsuit

Denver Broncos Football Club Ownership

Lead Appellate Prosecutor in the Trials of the Oklahoma City Bombers