Pat O’Brien
Partner
Attorney Pat O’Brien is a partner at SWMW Law. He joined the firm in 2024, focusing his practice on representing the rights of injured railroad workers, as well as representing those who have sustained catastrophic injuries.
Pat has earned the reputation of being one of the country’s premier Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) attorneys with decades of experience fighting for the rights of those injured through their work with the railroad. His expertise within this niche practice area has established him as a formidable and tenacious advocate for his clients, resulting in significant verdicts and settlements over his 40-year career.
Before joining the firm, Pat started his career as an insurance defense attorney. After moving to the plaintiffs’ side of litigation, he worked for two different FELA firms from 1983-2004. He then joined forces with another attorney to litigate FELA cases in 2004. In 2009, he opened his own national law firm. Throughout his career, he has tried 75 cases to verdict in 16 states, including 12 verdicts in excess of $1 million. He’s been recognized by Best Lawyers as a Best Personal Injury Attorney from 2020-present and as a Best Lawyer for Railroad Law from 2013-present.
Pat thrives in the fast-paced word of litigation and realizes the importance of tailoring his approach to a case based on each client’s unique situation.
“I’m inherently drawn to the challenge of putting together each client’s unique case,” he said. “I’m critically minded, strategic, and naturally drawn to this kind of work. It makes me a great fit for this type of litigation.”
Leveraging his years of experience and deep desire to help others, Pat is a trusted advocate for those he represents. And while he’s proud of the results he’s secured for his clients in the courtroom, what Pat treasures the most is the gratitude and appreciation he receives from every client he represents, that they consider him to be more of a family member than their attorney by the end of their journey together.
“I strive to make clients feel heard and comforted because I genuinely care about them,” he said. “The legal process can be a daunting road to traverse, and it’s my goal to demystify that process and make it as easy to navigate as possible. It’s important my clients feel confident in our strategy and in my ability to secure them the justice they deserve. I often form very close relationships with my clients that last far beyond the conclusion of their case, and for me, that’s the greatest honor of all.”
Outside of his legal work, Pat served on the Town & Country Board of Adjustment from 1991-1994. He currently serves on the Academy of Rail Labor Attorneys Board of Governors, a position he’s held since 2021. He also volunteers his time as coach for youth sports and is a proud husband, father, and grandfather.
Licenses
Missouri
Illinois
Supreme Court of Illinois
Supreme Court of Missouri
Supreme Court of Minnesota
Court of Appeals, 3rd Circuit
Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit
Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit
Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit
Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit
U.S. District Court, Colorado
U.S. District Court, Nebraska
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri
U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Oklahoma
Minnesota
Memberships
Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
Missouri Association of Trial Lawyers
American Board of Trial Advocates – Former President, Eastern Missouri
Academy of Rail Labor Attorneys – Board Member
Awards
Up & Coming Award – Missouri Lawyers Weekly
Legal Champion Award – Missouri Lawyers Awards
Education
B.A.
University of Missouri, Economics, Solon Summerfield Scholarship – Undergraduate School
J.D.
Saint Louis University School of Law – Graduate School
