Joseph “Joe” O’Keefe has a passion for justice, the law, and the courtroom.  Before relocating with his wife Natalie to Colorado, Joe built a successful trial and general law firm in Pennsylvania.  With numerous jury trial victories in federal and state courts (both criminal and civil), Joe loves the courtroom, telling his client’s story to judges and juries, and is a true Trial Lawyer. Joe’s passion for trial work has led him to a nationwide practice consisting of complex commercial litigation and defending those accused of committing serious crimes.

Deeply committed to the legal profession, Joe has taught dozens of continuing legal education credits including the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Evidence, e-discovery, trial strategy, cross-examining an expert, how to conduct a direct examination properly, and assembling and utilizing mock jurors and focus groups.

Joe is a west Pennsylvania native, and raised in Chester County, Pennsylvania, after attending college and law school in Pennsylvania and building a successful law practice there, he fell in love with Colorado and moved to Colorado Springs. Joe and his wife Natalie have three amazing kids and two dogs. If he isn’t traveling with Natalie, Joe loves exploring the mountains in his Jeep, gardening, and cooking.

Admissions:

• 10th Circuit Court of Appeals
• United States District Court, District of Colorado
• Colorado Supreme Court and all Colorado state courts
• United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
• United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
• Pennsylvania Supreme Court and all Pennsylvania state courts

Education:

• Masters of Law, Trial Advocacy, 2000 (Highest Honors), Temple University, James E. Beasley School of Law, Philadelphia, PA
• Juris Doctorate 1995, Villanova University School of Law, Villanova, PA
• B.A, Pol. Sci. 1992, Neumann University, Aston, Delaware County, PA,

Professional Experience:

• Senior Trial Attorney, M^cLeod │Brunger _PLLC (June 1, 2022 – Present)
• Independent of Counsel, The Sanders Law Firm (March 2021 – Present)
• Member, Dickson Law Group, LLC (October 2018 – March 2021)
• Managing Partner, O’Keefe, Miller & Thielen, P.C. (October 2013 to June 2018;
• Majority Member (June 2018 – November 2020)
• Founding and Managing Partner, O’Keefe & Sher, P.C. (May 1995 – October 2013)
• General Counsel to the Mente Auto Group, Kutztown, PA. (May 1995- GMAC litigation in 2018)

Community Involvement:

• Licensed Private Pilot
• Former director of the Kutztown Area (Northeast Berks) Chamber of Commerce
• Spearheaded and oversaw the revival of Berks County’s High School Mock Trial Program
• Past President of the Kutztown Area Rotary Club
• Former Board and Committee Member for Lewes Yacht Club

Professional Affiliations:

• Coach, Pikes Peak’s Women’s Rugby Club
• American Bar Association, Pennsylvania Bar Association, Berks County
• Bar Association, and the American Trial Lawyers Association
• Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
• Kutztown University Rugby Club — (Former assistant coach)

Representative Published Cases:

United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit:

• Mente v. GMAC, 451 Fed. Appx. 214; 2011 U.S. App. LEXIS 22960 (3rd Cir. 2011)

• Antkowiak v. Taxmasters, et al., 455 Fed. Appx. 156; 2011 U.S. App. LEXIS 25693 (3rd Cir. 2011)

• Grider v. Keystone Health Plan Central et al, 580 F.3d 119; 2009 U.S. App. LEXIS 19642 (3rd Cir. Pa., Sept. 1, 2009)

• Grider v. Keystone Health Plan Central et al., 500 F.3d 322; 2007 U.S. App. LEXIS 20633 (3d Cir. Pa., Aug. 28, 2007)

United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania:

• Ally v. Mente, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 141111 (E.D. Pa. Sept. 28, 2012, Sanchez, J.)

• Antkowiak v. TaxMasters, Inc., 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 35388 (E.D. Pa. Mar. 13, 2012, Stengel, J.)

• Jarzyna v. Home Properties, L.P. et al., 763 F. Supp. 2d 742; 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 11513 (E.D. Pa. Feb. 7, 2011)

• Antkowiak v. TaxMasters, Inc., 779 F. Supp. 2d 434, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 27468 (E.D. Pa., 2011).

• Mente v. GMAC, 728 F. Supp. 2d 662, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 74390 (E.D. Pa., 2010)

• Grider v. Keystone Health Plan Central et al, 68 Fed. R. Serv. 3d (Callaghan) 1619; 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 73066 (E.D. Pa. Sept. 28, 2007)

• Grider v. Keystone Health Plan Central et al, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 98734 (E.D. Pa., Sept. 28, 2007, Gardner, J.)

• Grider v. Keystone Health Plan Central et al., 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 93085 (E.D. Pa., Dec. 21, 2006, Gardner, J.)

• Grider v. Keystone Health Plan Central et al, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 92260 (E.D. Pa., Dec. 20, 2006, Gardner, J.)

• O’Keefe v. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC, 214 F.R.D. 266; 2003 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 5715 (E.D. Pa. 2003)