Theodor Bruening, Senior Counsel
Theodor Bruening is a business attorney and litigator whose work covers all aspects of national and international litigation and arbitration. His practice is dispute resolution in construction, architectural, employment, and commercial cases on the local, national, and international level covering issues such as fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, contract rights, defamation, discrimination, retaliation, unjust enrichment, and negligence. He represents architects, design professionals, executives, entrepreneurs, and their businesses.
Theo’s dispute resolution experience ranges from jury trials in the New York state courts over appellate practice in the federal circuit courts to national and international mediation and arbitration cases. He has represented clients from several countries in U.S. and international venues. He also advises on immigration law in both employer and family-based immigration applications and is active in the pro bono community in New York.
Theo is a native of Germany, a graduate of Columbia Law School in New York, and a double graduate of Oxford University in England; in addition to his New York practice, he is trained as a UK barrister and is a member of the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn in London. He prides himself on building close relationships with his clients, building a deep understanding of their needs, and working efficiently and effectively to achieve their ends—whether by litigation, arbitration, mediation, or negotiation and settlement.
Notable Representations
Menaker v Hofstra Univ., 935 F3d 20 (2d Cir 2019), established new employment law principle in the Second Circuit and reversed district court.
Hammer et al. v. Reetz et al. (NY Sup. Comm. Div., 55159/2017), complex commercial jury trial to favorable verdict against financial advisor firm on issues of fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and breach of contract.
Thought Leadership
BAR ADMISSIONS
State of New York
U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
England and Wales (Unregistered Barrister)
EDUCATION
M.A., Oxford University
BVC, BPP Law School, London
LL.M., Columbia University School of Law
LL.B., Oxford University (J.D. equivalent)
LANGUAGES
Fluent in German
Conversational in French and Spanish