Terence “Terry” F. Brennan, a highly regarded Orlando corporate, intellectual property, and technology transactions lawyer, passed away on October 31, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. With a distinguished career spanning corporate, intellectual property, and technology transactions, he brought decades of experience advising clients at every stage of the business continuum. He believed in the practice of law not as a job, but as a purpose. He loved the challenge, but even more, he loved helping people, and doing it with his trademark mix of brilliance, humor, and heart.

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Most recently, Terry served as Of Counsel at Zimmerman Kiser Sutcliffe in the firm’s corporate department. He provided practical, creative guidance to public, private, and emerging growth companies across a wide range of corporate and technology matters. His work spanned private equity and venture financings, manufacturing and healthcare technology transactions, mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations and roll-ups, and complex intellectual property issues.

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Terry began his career in New York City, at a prominent Wall Street law firm. Among his other roles, he served as Vice President and General Counsel of IBAX Healthcare Systems, an electronic medical records joint venture between IBM and Baxter Healthcare Corp., a position that first brought him to Orlando. He also held senior in-house positions with major technology and publishing companies.

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Later in his career, Terry founded Brennan Legal Group. He provided practical and creative legal advice to technology, digital media, simulation, medical-device, healthcare, and manufacturing companies.

 

For his work in corporate law and information technology law, Terry was recognized in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Earlier in his career, he was selected for inclusion in Florida Super Lawyers® for excellence in business and corporate law.

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Terry earned his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center, where he served as an editor of the Georgetown Law Journal. In addition, he held a B.S. in Economics and an M.S. in Criminal Justice and Statistics from the State University of New York at Albany. He was admitted to The Florida Bar, the New York Bar, and multiple federal courts.

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Beyond his client work, Terry was an early and significant leader in Central Florida's technology and life sciences communities. He shared his expertise with organizations, including the Veterans Entrepreneurship Initiative and the University of Central Florida Incubation Program, and was active in many area business, community and charitable groups.

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Through this work, Terry helped founders and innovators navigate risk, capital, and growth. Colleagues and clients remember him as a generous mentor and incisive strategist who believed that sound legal counsel advanced businesses and communities.

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Terry was a devout Catholic and member of the Knights of Columbus. A former marathon runner, he loved the discipline and camaraderie of sports. He was a passionate fan of Notre Dame football and the New York Yankees. Aside from sports, Terry enjoyed long walks, theater, and good legal and spy thrillers.

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Most of all, he loved spending time with his family—especially watching his grandson, Jack, play baseball with the Winter Park Babe Ruth League. He rarely missed a game, proudly cheering him on from the sidelines.

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Terry is survived by his loving wife, Sharlet Brennan; his daughter Natalie Brennan Sherman, son-in-law John Sherman, and grandson John “Jack” Sherman; his daughter Rebecca Harris and son-in-law Jason Harris; and a wide circle of friends, colleagues, clients, and mentees. They will miss his incisive counsel, funny stories, and unfailing support and kindness.

 

He leaves a legacy of professional excellence, integrity, and deep commitment to the people and region he served so generously.