Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Interests
Timeline
Publications
Generic

Brian O’Connor

Knoxville

Summary

Accomplished professional writer and licensed attorney with a strong record of storytelling, research, and advocacy involvement. Currently engaged in civic service with the City of Knoxville, contributing to urban forestry and environmental advocacy through volunteer and leadership roles with Trees Knoxville and the City Tree Board. Apply legal training and storytelling skills to support community-focused initiatives.

Overview

23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Supervising Producer / Head Writer

JUPITER ENTERTAINMENT
01.2003 - Current
  • Lead writer, producer, and supervisor on multiple cable television productions.
  • Crafted powerful, character-driven scripts from raw footage, interviews, and legal documents
  • Translated complex topics into clear, emotionally engaging narratives with strong story arcs.
  • Interviewed hundreds of subjects from all walks of life, building trust and drawing out honest, meaningful dialogue.
  • Guided story development from concept to final cut; worked closely with production teams and network executives.
  • Mentored junior writers and producers, helping shape their voice, pacing, and narrative structure across multiple projects.

Vice-Chair, Trees Knoxville / City Tree Board

TREES KNOXVILLE / CITY OF KNOXVILLE TREE BOARD
01.2023 - Current
  • Serve as a vocal advocate for urban forest expansion, sustainable development, and equitable access to green space across Knoxville.
  • Collaborate with city officials, planners, and community stakeholders to shape urban forestry policies and revise ordinances protecting tree canopy and natural areas.
  • Lead and participate in community planting events, educational outreach, and public forums promoting environmental stewardship and long-term greenspace preservation.
  • Contribute to the implementation of the Knoxville Urban Forest Master Plan and support policy efforts to incorporate tree equity and climate resilience into city planning.
  • Act as a liaison between the nonprofit sector and local government, ensuring community voices are heard in urban environmental decision-making.

Attorney

NORTON AND LUHN, P.C.
01.2019 - 01.2020
  • Of counsel attorney at a business and estate planning firm. Responsibilities included drafting and reviewing partnership and business sale agreements, wills, advance health care directives, and financial power of attorney documents.

Legal Intern

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR
01.2012
  • Participated in the Office of the Solicitor’s Legal Internship Program. Drafted legal memoranda, model mutual aid agreements, and advisory opinions and participated in strategy sessions for the National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Surface Mining, and Bureau of Land Management. Drafted notices of violations and petitions for remission of forfeiture for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Education

J.D. -

UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE BRANDEIS SCHOOL OF LAW
Louisville, KY
05.2013

Bachelor of Arts - History; Minor in American Literature

MIAMI UNIVERSITY
Oxford, OH
05.1998

Skills

  • Professional writing and storytelling
  • Legal knowledge
  • Community engagement initiatives
  • Public service

Certification

  • Tennessee State Bar
  • July 2016

Interests

  • Hiking
  • Outdoor Recreation
  • Gardening and planting trees
  • Biking
  • Farm work

Timeline

Vice-Chair, Trees Knoxville / City Tree Board

TREES KNOXVILLE / CITY OF KNOXVILLE TREE BOARD
01.2023 - Current

Attorney

NORTON AND LUHN, P.C.
01.2019 - 01.2020

Legal Intern

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR
01.2012

Supervising Producer / Head Writer

JUPITER ENTERTAINMENT
01.2003 - Current

J.D. -

UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE BRANDEIS SCHOOL OF LAW

Bachelor of Arts - History; Minor in American Literature

MIAMI UNIVERSITY

Publications

Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act: Cooling Water Intake Structures, Aquatic Organisms, and Cost-Benefit Analysis, University of Louisville, Journal of Animal and Environmental Law (Winter 2012).

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