---
title: "Colleen A. O’Brien | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/colleen-o-brien"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Colleen A. O’Brien

Hillsborough County Court · County Judge

## Profile

- Court: Hillsborough County Court
- State: Florida
- Role: County Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Colleen O'Brien was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to serve as a judge on the Hillsborough County Court in Florida in 2025, filling a judicial vacancy created by the enactment of HB 5401
- Prior to her appointment, she held the role of General Counsel for the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Office starting in 2022 and previously worked as an Assistant General Counsel at the Florida Department of State.
- Judge Colleen O'Brien is a nonpartisan judicial officer serving Hillsborough County, Florida, with a background in election law and state legal counsel

### Education

- Stetson University College of Law — J.D. (2009)
- University of South Florida — B.A. (2007)
- O'Brien earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida

### Additional information

- Hillsborough County Court, appointed to the bench in 2025; current County Civil Division R.
- She assumed office in 2025 and won re-election in the general election scheduled for November 3, 2026, after the primary and general election were canceled, effectively continuing her service without appearing on the ballot
- Her career reflects a combination of legal expertise and public service within Florida’s judicial system
- Her educational background provided the foundation for her legal and judicial career in Florida

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### media and still photography

Scope: statewide

Electronic media and still-photography coverage is allowed in Florida public trial and appellate proceedings under Rule 2.450's equipment and conduct standards, always subject to the presiding judge's control of decorum, distractions, and fair administration.

Evidence excerpt: Subject at all times to the authority of the presiding judge to: (i) control the conduct of proceedings before the court; (ii) ensure decorum and prevent distractions; and (iii) ensure the fair administration of justice in the pending cause, electronic media and still photography coverage of public judicial proceedings in the appellate and trial courts of this state shall be allowed

[Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.fljud13.org/Directory/Judges/Judge-OBrien)
- [Official roster](https://www.fljud13.org/Directory/Judges/Judge-OBrien)
- [Florida Judicial Branch circuit court administration official judicial roster](https://www.fljud13.org/Directory/Judges/Judge-OBrien)
- [Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450)
- [Michigan Court of Appeals 2025 Annual Report](https://www.courts.michigan.gov/49e82a/siteassets/reports/coa/annualreports/annualreport2025.pdf)
- [Judge O'Brien](https://www.fljud13.org/Directory/Judges/Judge-OBrien)

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## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-f9444c394a89ab9f4ffde994) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450). Collected 2026-07-26.