Patrick S. OBrien

Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs

4.0 (9 reviews)

St. Louis, Missouri

48+ years experience

SWMW Law

Updated: Dec 29, 2025

Contact Information

314-806-4008

https://www.swmwlaw.com/our-lawyers/pat-obrien/

701 Market Street, Suite 1000, St. Louis, MO 63101

Create an account to contact this attorney

Bio

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. 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 LawMissouri, 1979Illinois, 1980Minnesota, 1986U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 1985U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 1988U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit, 1998U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 2009U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit, 2018U.S. District Court Western District of Missouri, 1979U.S. District Court Eastern District of Missouri, 1980U.S. District Court Southern District of Illinois, 1983U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 1989U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois, 2006U.S. District Court Eastern District of Oklahoma, 2009U.S. District Court District of Colorado, 2011U.S. District Court District of Nebraska, 2012 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. 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 LawMissouri, 1979Illinois, 1980Minnesota, 1986U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 1985U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 1988U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit, 1998U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, 2009U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit, 2018U.S. District Court Western District of Missouri, 1979U.S. District Court Eastern District of Missouri, 1980U.S. District Court Southern District of Illinois, 1983U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 1989U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois, 2006U.S. District Court Eastern District of Oklahoma, 2009U.S. District Court District of Colorado, 2011U.S. District Court District of Nebraska, 2012 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.?

Practice Areas

Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs

Awards & Recognition

Recognized: Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
Recognized: Railroad Law
Practice Area: Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants
AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review 5.0 Rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell annually since 1995.

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013

Education

Saint Louis University, J.D., graduated 1977

Get Directions on Google Maps

Reviews

Melissa Reed

3 weeks ago

Exceptional Advocacy for Railroad Workers

I cannot recommend Patrick S. O’Brien highly enough. After a serious on-the-job injury with the railroad, I was overwhelmed and uncertain about my legal rights. Mr. O’Brien’s 48 years of experience and deep knowledge of workers' compensation and railroad law made all the difference. He handled my case with unwavering professionalism, explaining every step clearly and fighting tirelessly for my rights. His recognition in personal injury and railroad law was evident in the outcome—he secured a fair settlement that covered my medical expenses and future care. What truly stood out was his compassion; he treated my case as if it were his own. If you’re a railroad worker in need of legal representation, Patrick O’Brien is the attorney to trust.

Gregory Kim

3 weeks ago

Outstanding Advocacy for Injured Railroad Workers

Working with Patrick S. O’Brien was a game-changer for my railroad injury case. His 48 years of experience and deep expertise in workers’ compensation and personal injury litigation made all the difference. He not only secured a fair settlement but also handled every detail with remarkable professionalism and care. Highly recommended for anyone seeking top-tier legal representation.

Ronald Bailey

3 weeks ago

Knowledgeable but Slow Response

Mr. O’Brien clearly knows his way around railroad injury cases, and his decades of experience show. He managed my claim thoroughly, though I did have to wait longer than expected for updates. While his expertise in workers' compensation was evident, the communication could have been more timely. Still, he secured a fair settlement, just not as quickly as I'd hoped. His recognition in personal injury law is well-earned, but I wish the process had moved faster.

Benjamin Lee

3 weeks ago

Exceptional Advocate for Railroad Workers

I had the privilege of working with Patrick S. O’Brien after a workplace injury on the railroad. His 48 years of experience were evident in every aspect of my case. Mr. O’Brien’s deep knowledge of workers’ compensation law and his long history of representing railroad workers made me feel confident from our first consultation. He explained complex legal terms in a way that was easy to understand, which I truly appreciated. I was particularly impressed by his recognition in personal injury litigation and railroad law—it’s clear he’s a respected leader in his field. While his pricing was fair, I did wish there had been a bit more transparency about potential costs upfront. The legal process moved at a steady pace, and Mr. O’Brien’s dedication to my case was unwavering. He fought relentlessly to secure the compensation I deserved, and the outcome was better than I expected. I’d recommend him to any railroad worker in need of a skilled and compassionate attorney.

Nancy Mitchell

3 weeks ago

Experienced and Knowledgeable Railroad Attorney

I recently worked with Patrick S. O’Brien on a complex railroad injury case, and I was thoroughly impressed by his expertise and dedication. With nearly 50 years of experience, his deep understanding of railroad law and workers' compensation was evident from our first consultation. He was able to navigate the intricacies of my case with precision, leveraging his recognition in personal injury litigation to secure a favorable outcome. His approach was both professional and compassionate, making a difficult process much more manageable. While his response time to emails could occasionally be slow, his thoroughness in court and his relentless advocacy more than made up for it. I would highly recommend him to anyone in need of a skilled attorney in railroad-related legal matters.

Carol Martin

3 weeks ago

Knowledgeable but occasionally slow

Patrick O’Brien’s deep expertise in railroad and workers’ compensation law is truly impressive. His 30+ years of experience representing injured workers and railroad employees is evident in his strategic approach to cases. He handled my FELA claim with precision, leveraging his recognized status in personal injury litigation to secure a favorable outcome. His guidance was invaluable, especially when navigating complex railroad regulations, and his courtroom presence was both confident and persuasive. While I highly recommend his legal acumen, his responsiveness could improve—sometimes it took a few extra days to receive updates. Cost-wise, his rates are fair, though I wish there had been more transparency upfront. Overall, his knowledge and dedication make him a standout attorney, and I’d trust him with any future legal matters involving railroad injuries.

Christine Hill

3 weeks ago

Adequate representation, but slow responses

I hired Attorney Patrick S. O’Brien of SWMW Law for a workers' compensation case involving a railroad injury. His extensive experience in railroad law and personal injury litigation was evident in how he handled my claim. He successfully secured a fair settlement, which reflected his recognition in these practice areas. However, communication could have been more consistent. While he was professional, there were times when responses to my inquiries were delayed, which left me feeling somewhat in the dark. The case took longer than anticipated, and I wish the process had moved more efficiently. Overall, I’m satisfied with the outcome, but better communication could have improved my experience.

Pamela Phillips

3 weeks ago

Highly Skilled but Could Improve Communication

Patrick O’Brien is an outstanding attorney with decades of experience in representing railroad workers and personal injury cases. His deep knowledge of workers' compensation and his recognition in personal injury litigation are well-deserved. When I was injured in a train accident, he provided expert legal guidance and a strong strategy to secure a fair settlement. His ability to navigate complex cases was evident, and his dedication to clients is commendable. The only area for improvement is his responsiveness—at times, it took longer than expected to receive updates on my case. Despite this, I would highly recommend him for anyone needing a seasoned attorney in these practice areas.

Kathleen Bailey

3 weeks ago

Experienced and Knowledgeable

Patrick S. O’Brien is an attorney with a wealth of experience, particularly in representing injured railroad workers. His deep understanding of workers' compensation law and personal injury litigation has been instrumental in my case. He has been recognized for his expertise in these areas, and it truly shows in his work. While his legal insights were invaluable, I did notice that his response times could sometimes be slower than expected, likely due to his extensive caseload. However, his dedication to achieving the best possible outcome for his clients is unmatched. The settlement he secured for me was fair and reflected his years of experience. I would highly recommend Patrick O’Brien to anyone in need of a skilled attorney in workers' compensation or railroad injury cases. His professionalism and commitment to his clients' rights are commendable. The only minor improvement I would suggest is a bit more communication regarding updates on the case, but overall, his legal expertise proved to be a significant asset.