Melvin F. O’Brien

Melvin F. O’Brien is a Shareholder with Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C. and serves as Managing Attorney of the firm’s Wheeling office. He concentrates his practice in civil litigation, health care law, product liability, insurance coverage litigation, food and beverage industry matters, professional liability, and transportation law, with particular emphasis on personal injury litigation. His work focuses largely on defense representation for professionals, companies, insurers, and organizations facing claims involving serious injuries or substantial financial exposure.

O’Brien earned his J.D. from Cleveland State University College of Law in 1994, graduating cum laude. He served as Executive Editor of the Journal of Law and Health from 1993 to 1994. He received his B.S.B.A. in Business Administration from Bowling Green State University in 1988. His business and legal education supports a litigation practice that requires understanding of professional standards, company operations, insurance issues, medical evidence, and the financial consequences of disputed liability claims.

O’Brien has represented lawyers, accountants, brokers, engineers, and insurance agents in professional liability matters. His experience also includes construction injuries, catastrophic commercial vehicle losses, occupational injury and deliberate intent claims, medical negligence cases involving physicians and hospitals, premises liability matters for national companies, and accident or catastrophic loss claims involving volunteer fire departments. These cases require detailed factual investigation, expert analysis, insurance evaluation, and coordinated defense strategy through discovery, trial preparation, and resolution.

Melvin F. O’Brien has received AV Preeminent recognition and has been listed by Best Lawyers for personal injury litigation on the defense side, including selection as a Lawyer of the Year in 2022. He also participates in professional associations related to his practice. As managing attorney of the Wheeling office, he combines litigation experience with firm leadership. He helps clients assess liability, organize complex defenses, and respond to claims involving professional services, transportation, health care, insurance, and serious personal injuries.

Law Office Affiliations

• Shareholder, Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C.
• Member, Ohio State Bar Association
• Member, The West Virginia State Bar
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia
• Member, Jefferson County Bar Association
• Member, Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys
• Member, Claims and Litigation Management (CLM) Alliance
• Member, Defense Research Institute
• Member, Independent Insurance Agents of Ohio, Inc.
• Member, Independent Insurance Agents of West Virginia, Inc.
• Member, Trucking Industry Defense Association
• Member, Ohio and West Virginia Trucking Associations
• Member, West Virginia Chamber of Commerce
• Member, Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce in West Virginia

Licensed State

• Ohio
• West Virginia

Education

• Cleveland State University College of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Bowling Green State University
  Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Business Administration

Awards & Badges