Attorney Mark J. O’Brien
Criminal Defense | Serving Tampa, FL
888-915-4202Attorney Mark J. O’Brien, is a law firm in Tampa, Florida with experience resolving cases in Criminal Defense.
Se Habla Español
Free Consultation
Virtual Appointments
Attorney Mark J. O’Brien is a federal and state criminal defense law firm. Attorney Mark J. O’Brien started his law firm, what is now Attorney Mark J. O’Brien, in 2002. The firm is now comprised of seven lawyers: Justin K. Fahringer, Olivia M. Goodman, Victoria E. Hatfield, Sheryl C. Johansen, Todd J. Murgo, Shawn P. Napier, and Mark J. O’Brien. The firm represents individuals and corporations in federal criminal cases nationwide and in state criminal cases and in criminal appeals statewide. In addition, Attorney Mark J. O’Brien has assembled a criminal defense team to aid their criminal defense lawyers. Like how the lawyers shape their strategy and approach to figure out what the prosecutor is going to do before he or she does it, the law firm assembled former federal and state law enforcement professionals to figure out what law enforcement will do before they do it.
Their team includes a former Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Federal Special Agent who specializes in drug trafficking and gun crimes, a former Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division (IRS CID) Federal Special Agent who focuses on white collar and fraud crimes, a former United States Probation Officer who concentrates on sentencing guideline issues and mitigation efforts, and a former police detective who assists in all defense investigations. Their team also includes a support staff of experienced paralegals and dedicated legal assistants. All these team members work only for the law firm and directly for you. As a result, there will never be a conflict of interest.
Founding member and equity partner Mark J. O’Brien is the firm’s managing partner and handles select state criminal cases and federal criminal cases throughout the state and across the country. Formerly a Miami prosecutor in the 1990’s, Mark is now widely lauded by federal judges and federal prosecutors as one of the best defense attorneys in the country.
Equity partner Victoria E. Hatfield is the chair of the firm’s criminal division. With nearly two decades of experience, Victoria has achieved multiple trial not guilty verdicts and has won numerous motions to dismiss and motions to suppress. When you need the very best, Victoria will stand by your side. And she fights to win.
Managing partner Shawn P. Napier brings twenty-five years of federal and state prosecution experience to his federal criminal defense practice. As a former Assistant United States Attorney, Shawn utilizes his deep insider knowledge of federal and state prosecution tactics to provide an aggressive defense for those individuals and corporations accused of federal and state criminal charges.
Partner and co-chair of the state criminal division, Justin K. Fahringer’s criminal defense practice centers on high exposure, evidence heavy cases with highly experienced strategy and courtroom skill. A veteran of over fifty jury trials, he has extensive experience using and challenging expert witnesses in accident reconstruction, civil engineering, toxicology, medicine, psychology, psychiatry, computer forensics, and statistics. Justin is the co-chair of the state criminal division.
Partner Oliva M. Goodman is the chair of the state criminal division. Olivia is a former large firm defense practitioner who has won criminal jury trials, motions to dismiss, motions to suppress, and criminal appeals. Olivia is a dogged criminal defense practitioner who believes in and fights for the rights of her clients.
Partner Todd J. Murgo is the chair of the firm’s federal and state criminal appellate division. Todd is a former large firm defense practitioner whose intelligence and tenacity challenges state and federal appellate prosecutors with every case. Todd balances this competitive fire with a unique compassion to his clients and their families to offer a rare human touch.
Partner Sheryl C. Johansen is the co-chair of the state criminal division. Sheryl has nearly two decades of criminal defense experience, with over fifty jury trials to her credit. Sheryl won numerous jury trials, motions to dismiss, and motions to suppress. Sheryl has the necessary experience to achieve success.
Attorney Mark J. O’Brien
Bar Admissions:
- Florida, 1998
- Massachusetts, 1998
- Montana, 2023
- Supreme Court of the United States of America
- U.S. Court of Appeals 1st Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Alabama
- U.S. District Court District of Alaska
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Arkansas
- U.S. District Court Central District of California
- U.S. District Court Southern District of California
- U.S. District Court District of Connecticut
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Georgia
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Georgia
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Georgia
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana
- U.S. District Court District of Kansas
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Kentucky
- U.S. District Court District of Massachusetts
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Mississippi
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Mississippi
- U.S. District Court Western District of Missouri
- U.S. District Court District of Montana
- U.S. District Court Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court Northern District of New York
- U.S. District Court Western District of New York
- U.S. District Court District of North Dakota
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Oklahoma
- U.S. District Court District of Rhode Island
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Tennessee
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court Western District of Texas
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Washington
- U.S. District Court Western District of Washington
- U.S. District Court Southern District of West Virginia
Education:
- Siena College, 1995
- B.A.
- Delaware Law School, 1998
- J.D.
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- American Association for Justice, Member
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member
- Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member
- Florida Bar Association, Member
- Federal Bar Association, Member
Languages Spoken:
- English
- Spanish
Attorney Olivia M. Goodman
Bar Admissions:
- Florida, 2020
Education:
- University of Florida Levin College of Law, Gainesville, Florida
- J.D.
- Honors: cum laude
- Honors: Book Award for academic excellence with the highest grade in my Social Science, Crime, and Law course
- Honors: Dean's List honors each semester
- Honors: Presidential Scholarship
- University of Maryland
- B.S.
- Major: Family Science
Attorney Shawn P. Napier
Bar Admissions:
- Ohio, 2001
- Florida, 2024
- Federal Criminal District Court
- Federal appellate Court in the United States
- Supreme Court of the United States of America
Education:
- Capital University Law School, 2001
- J.D.
- Magna Cum Laude
- University of Central Florida
- B.A. in Political Science
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), 2019-2022
Attorney Victoria Elizabeth Hatfield
Bar Admissions:
- Florida
- U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida
Education:
- Stetson University College of Law, Gulfport/St. Petersburg, Florida
- J.D.
- Bucknell University
- B.A.
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2019-2020
Languages Spoken:
- English
- Spanish
Attorney Sheryl C. Johansen
Bar Admissions:
- Florida
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida
- U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit
Education:
- Barry University School of Law, Orlando, Florida
- J.D.
- Honors: magna cum laude
- University of Southern Maine
- B.A.
- Major: Media Studies
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Goldburg-Cacciatore Criminal Law Inn of Court
- Pinellas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Attorney Justin K. Fahringer
Bar Admissions:
- Florida, 2010
Education:
- Stetson University College of Law, 2010
- Honor Roll
- Florida International University
- B.A. in Political Science
- Honors College
- Political Science Honors Society
- Student government leadership division
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Hillsborough Bar Association
- Hillsborough County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Attorney Todd J. Murgo
Bar Admissions:
- Florida
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Florida
- Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeal
- Supreme Court of the United States of America
Education:
- University of Florida Levin College of Law, Gainesville, Florida
- J.D.
- Honors: cum laude
- Law Journal, Journal of Law and Public Policy, Executive Research Editor
- University of Tampa
- B.S.
- Major: Criminology
Professional Memberships and Achievements:
- Top Gun Trial Academy, 2024
Office Locations
Since 1997, the "Lead Counsel Verified" status has been granted to attorneys who possess:
- The Right Professional Experience
- A Spotless Record
The following attorneys at this firm are Lead Counsel Verified:
Mark J. O'Brien
This attorney practices in Florida and is Lead Counsel Verified in the following practice areas:
| Practice Area | Year |
|---|---|
| Criminal Defense | Since 2020 |
| Federal Criminal Law | Since 2020 |
| Criminal Defense | Since 2020 |
Attorney Mark J. O’Brien Awards
Silver: This award is granted to attorneys who have received at least 3 client reviews, and have an average review score of 4.0 or higher.
Avvo Client's Choice Award: This award is granted to attorneys with at least 5 reviews with 4+ stars in a given year on Avvo.com
Super Lawyers Selectee: Super Lawyers® is a rating service of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The top 5% of lawyers in each state are selected using a patented selection process that includes independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations.