Atty. Patrick S. O'Brien
Patrick O’Brien has been a trial lawyer representing the rights of injured railroad workers for more than thirty (30) years. He has dedicated his professional career to helping those who have been injured through the negligence of others.
Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs & More Attorney · Serving St. Louis, MO
Profile Summary
About Patrick S. O'Brien at a Glance
Patrick S. O'Brien is a personal injury attorney based in St. Louis, Missouri, practicing at SWMW Law. Admitted to practice in Missouri, The Missouri Bar, Illinois, Illinois State Bar Association, and Minnesota, Minnesota State Bar Association. Educated at Saint Louis University (J.D., 1977). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Railroad Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026). Serves clients in St. Louis, MO and the surrounding metropolitan area.
Get Legal Help from Patrick S. O'Brien in St. Louis
Sign up free and choose one of the two methods below.
Have a legal question? Sign up free, submit it through the Ask the Attorney module and receive a focused answer from a specialist.
- Free to ask a question
- Answers from specialist attorneys
- Optional private / anonymous question
Request an online video meeting or an in-person consultation at the attorney's office. Pick a time that works for you and share the details securely.
- Online video meeting
- In-person at the attorney's office
- Secure messaging and payment
About Patrick S. O'Brien
He has dedicated his professional career to helping those who have been injured through the negligence of others. Patrick has tried cases to verdict in 15 states and has represented railroad workers from all crafts. Patrick has developed a specialty in handling occupational injury and toxic exposure illness claims under the FELA and has achieved numerous substantial verdicts against various railroads. Patrick is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), the Academy of Rail Labor Attorneys (ARLA), the American Association for Justice (AAJ) and is licensed to practice law in Missouri, Illinois, and Minnesota, and in various federal district courts and courts of appeal as listed below.?
States and Courts in which Pat O’Brien is Licensed to Practice Law- Missouri, 1979
- Illinois, 1980
- Minnesota, 1986
- U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 1985
- U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 1988
- U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit, 1998
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 2009
- U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit, 2018
- U.S. District Court Western District of Missouri, 1979
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Missouri, 1980
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Illinois, 1983
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 1989
- U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois, 2006
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Oklahoma, 2009
- U.S. District Court District of Colorado, 2011
- U.S. District Court District of Nebraska, 2012
Practice Areas Explained
Patrick S. O'Brien's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Patrick S. O'Brien handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in St. Louis.
Personal Injury in St. Louis
Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.
Patrick S. O'Brien is one of 262,557 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in Missouri →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in St. Louis
Practicing law in Missouri. Legal matters in Missouri are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in St. Louis are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Missouri state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Missouri brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Missouri courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
St. Louis Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a St. Louis-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Missouri attorneys? Browse all attorneys in St. Louis or all attorneys in Missouri.
Frequently Asked
Common Questions About Patrick S. O'Brien
Where is Patrick S. O'Brien's law office located?
What practice areas does Patrick S. O'Brien handle?
Where did Patrick S. O'Brien go to law school?
How can I contact Patrick S. O'Brien for a consultation?
What awards or recognition has Patrick S. O'Brien received?
Professional Profile
Why Clients in St. Louis Choose Patrick S. O'Brien
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Patrick S. O'Brien's practice in the field of personal injury.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in Missouri, The Missouri Bar, Illinois, Illinois State Bar Association, and Minnesota, Minnesota State Bar Association, Patrick S. O'Brien can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Focused Personal Injury Practice
Concentrating on personal injury means Patrick S. O'Brien's knowledge of relevant statutes, case law, and procedural nuances stays current — unlike generalist practices that spread attention across unrelated fields.
Local Presence in St. Louis
A St. Louis-based practice means Patrick S. O'Brien attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Patrick S. O'Brien Handles in St. Louis
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Patrick S. O'Brien has experience with under Missouri law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Patrick S. O'Brien directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
Search Reference
How People Find Patrick S. O'Brien Online
Prospective clients searching for legal help in St. Louis commonly use a combination of the attorney's name and their specific legal need. The following search terms frequently lead people to this profile and to attorneys like Patrick S. O'Brien.
If any of the above matches what you searched for, you've found the right profile. Use the contact options at the top of this page to get in touch with Patrick S. O'Brien directly.
Patrick S. O'Brien's Practice Areas & Specializations
Education & Law School Background
Awards & Professional Honors
Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions
Client Reviews & Ratings — Patrick S. O'Brien
No reviews yet.