Karen O’Brien brings 38 years of federal contracting, legal, executive leadership, and program management experience to her role as Senior Vice President and General Counsel at Jefferson. 

She leads Jefferson’s National Security and Civil Service Division, overseeing a multimillion-dollar division spanning national security, warfighter training, and civilian agency mission support.

Throughout her career, Karen has worked at the intersection of federal procurement law, acquisition strategy, program management, and mission execution. At Jefferson, she has directed complex federal portfolios, including a $360 million Department of State technology portfolio, and advised agencies on procurement strategy, organizational transformation, compliance, and acquisition performance.

Before joining Jefferson, Karen served as Of Counsel at McCarthy, Sweeney & Harkaway and led government contracts publications through ESI International and The George Washington University. She began her career as an attorney in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, serving in Southwest Asia and earning the Bronze Star Medal. She later served as a staff attorney to the Department of Defense Section 800 Panel, whose recommendations helped shape major federal acquisition reforms.

Karen is also a published authority on government contracting and co-author of The Government Contracts Reference Book. She holds a J.D. from Vermont Law School and a B.A. in Accounting from Niagara University.