John C. O’Brien, professor emeritus, School of Law, 1942-2024

Longtime professor and early director of the legal clinics, John Clark O’Brien, passed away at home in early August. He started as an assistant professor of law in 1975 and remained a faculty member until his retirement in 2012. During his tenure he taught administrative law, civil practice, client counseling, evidence and torts. With time teaching civil clinic, O’Brien served as the director of the School of Law Legal Clinics for two years in 1980.

“He had the unique ability to be both exacting in his analysis and expectations all while making his students feel supported and valued as a professional colleagues,” said Professor Thomas Stewart, a colleague and former student of O’Brien.

“John was a very special person, a diligent teacher, fine lawyer, and wonderful colleague. He and I started at SLU LAW together in 1975,” said Michael Wolff, longtime colleague and dean emeritus of SLU LAW.  “In fact, when I applied for the job, I applied for the clinical position, for which John already had been hired. So, I took the other choice, a regular faculty position. The bonus was that years later, John and I co-taught the Lawyering Process (the classroom component of the clinic) for a few years. It was a marvelous experience.” 

Well known for dedicating his to making the world a better place, O’Brien began his practicing legal career at Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation. He served on the Neighborhood Legal Services Program and later as the directing attorney. He continued his dedication to the organization for the rest of his career, serving as a volunteer lawyer and consultant while teaching at SLU.

Following his graduation from Harvard Law School in 1967, O’Brien headed to Washington, DC where was a staff attorney for the Federal Communications Commission. He later served as a VISTA volunteer attorney and as an assistant director of the Joint George Washington University VISTA Master Laws in Poverty Law Project before heading to the St. Louis region.

Professor Stewart, who eulogized O’Brien, called his mentor a “real life Atticus Fitch” who exemplified a dignity and kindness. “John served those in need of his talents,” said Stewart. “Serving the poor and underrepresented, folks which society left behind and even turned its back on may not be the typical career path for those with a Yale and Harvard pedigree, but is was very much in keeping with the traditions of a noble lawyer personified by Atticus [John]”.