Kerry V. O’Brien

Kerry V. O’Brien is an Austin labor and employment lawyer at O’Brien Law Firm, representing employees, executives, and independent contractors in Texas compensation and contract disputes. He handles matters involving unpaid commissions, bonuses, executive compensation, equity, overtime, severance agreements, non-compete issues, and Texas Workforce Commission wage claims. His practice emphasizes strong leverage, focused preparation, and informed guidance for clients seeking payment, contract enforcement, and practical solutions after workplace financial disputes across difficult employment cases.

Mr. O’Brien earned his J.D. from The University of Texas School of Law in 2002, where he was active in mock trial competitions that helped shape his trial skills before practice. He also earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Theory, with a concentration in classical guitar, from The University of Texas at Austin’s Butler School of Music, adding discipline and creativity to his professional background and steady attention to complex advocacy.

Mr. O’Brien has been Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2016. He is licensed in all Texas trial and appellate courts, all four Texas federal districts, and the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. His memberships include the State Bar of Texas Employment Law Section, Texas Employment Lawyers Association, and Austin Bar Association sections focused on labor and employment practice.

Kerry V. O’Brien has been selected as a Texas Super Lawyer from 2023 to 2025 and has been a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation since 2018. His prior public service includes work as an Assistant Attorney General for Texas, a Texas Workforce Commission hearing officer, a city prosecutor, and an assistant city attorney. Clients value his experience, teaching background, and employment-law focus when resolving workplace compensation and contract disputes.

Law Office Affiliations

• Founder, O’Brien Law Firm
• Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
• Member, Austin Bar Association, Labor & Employment and Solo/Small Firm Sections
• Member, State Bar of Texas, Employment Law Section
• Member, Texas Employment Lawyers Association

Licensed State

• Texas

Education

• University of Texas School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• UT Austin’s Butler School of Music
  BA in Music Theory

Awards & Badges