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Daniel O'Brien's breadth of experience lends credibility and creativity to his law practice.
For nearly two decades, Attorney Daniel O'Brien has represented individuals and corporations in a wide variety of civil cases throughout Texas.
Focused solely on civil law including litigation, real estate, probate, and business matters, Daniel O’Brien incorporates his extensive large firm experience into a small, boutique office setting. Preferring a personal, one-on-one approach, Dan is dedicated to walking side-by-side with his clients throughout the litigation process, breaking down complex legal issues into understandable, straightforward strategies.
A graduate from the University of Texas at Austin, Dan earned his Juris Doctorate from Baylor University School of Law and was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 2001. He is currently Director of the Hays County Bar Association, Barrister Member of the Robert W. Calvert American Inn of Court and Founding Member of the Dripping Springs Community Bar Association.
Mr. O’Brien represents both plaintiffs and defendants, in a variety of civil cases including business, real estate fraud, commercial and residential lease matters, partnership disputes, and commercial collection actions. He is qualified for appointment as a mediator in all civil disputes in the Texas and volunteers as a mediator for the Central Texas Dispute Resolution Center.
Invested in his local community, Dan is actively involved in business organizations and educational endeavors including the Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce and the Dripping Springs Independent School District.
Profile of Daniel O'Brien
- Juris Doctor, Baylor University School of Law, (2001); Order of the Barristers & Phi Delta Phi Honors Society
- Bachelor of Arts, Economics, History (Double Major), University of Texas at Austin (1996)
- Fellow, University of Texas School of Law, Center for Public Policy Dispute Resolution (2018)
Briefing Attorney, Chambers of Justice Davie L. Wilson, Court of Appeals for the First District of Texas (Houston) (2001-2002).
- Acquired significant appellate experience drafting approximately 60 opinion memoranda.
- Majority of work in criminal cases, including review of trial court rulings on motions to suppress, factual and legal sufficiency challenges, claims of ineffective assistance of counsel, and jury charges issues in felony and misdemeanor cases.
- State Bar of Texas (admitted 2001)
- The Supreme Court of the United States (2006)
- The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (2006)
- The United States District Courts for the Eastern (2006), Northern (2004), Southern (2007), and Western (2003) Districts of Texas
- AV-Preeminent Rated Attorney (Highest rating by Martindale.com/Martindale-Hubbell “signifying that a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him at the highest level of professional excellence for his legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.”) (2017-present)
- Kyle Maysel Memorial Service Award, Hays County Bar Association (2019)
- Selected as Texas Rising Star, a Thomson Reuters service, as published in Texas Monthly Magazine and Super Lawyers, Rising Star Edition (Selection limited to less than 2.5% of Texas attorneys under 40)
(2010-2012) - Named to Top Attorney List (Litigation) by Fort Worth, Texas – The City’s Magazine (as voted by Fort
Worth lawyers) (2007-2008, 2011-2012, 2014-2016)
- President and Director, Hays County Bar Association; Director (2017-present); President (2021-present); Vice-President (2021); Treasurer (2018-2019); Secretary (2017-2018); Delegate, State Bar of Texas Bar Leaders Conference (2017 & 2018); Committee Member and Sponsor, Hays County Bench-Bar Conference (2014-present)
- Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
- Barrister Member, Robert W. Calvert American Inn of Court (2018-2021)
- Member, The College of the State Bar of Texas
- Founding Member, Dripping Springs Community Bar Association
- Fellow, Baylor Law School Alumni Association
- Life Member, Ex-Students’ Association of the University of Texas
- Volunteer Attorney Mediator, Central Texas Dispute Resolution Center (2019 – present).
- Fellow, University of Texas School of Law, Center for Public Policy Dispute Resolution, Fellows Program (2018).
- Certified Arbitrator, BBB Auto-Lines Arbitration Training (2015). Completion of arbitration selection and training for assignment of cases in Central Texas.
- 40-Hour Basic Mediation Training, University of Texas School of Law, Center for Public Policy Dispute Resolution (2009)
- Advanced Family Law Mediation Training (2009)
- Commissioner and Vice-President, North Hays County Emergency Services District No. 1 (EMS) (2017-present)
- Director and Officer, Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce (2019-present)
- Commissioner, Dripping Springs Emergency Management Commission (2019-2020)
- Director, Dripping Springs Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) Nos. 1 & 2 (2020-present)
- Director, HCWC (Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center) & Roxanne’s House (Children’s Advocacy Center) (2013-2020)
- Past-President and Director, Belterra Community Association, Inc. (2013-2018)
- Leadership Dripping Springs; Graduate (2016)
- Volunteer Attorney, Dripping Springs High School Dating Violence Mock Trial at Hays County Government Center (2014-present)
- Member and Past-Officer, Rotary Club of Dripping Springs; Member (2016-present)
- Volunteer Attorney, Volunteer Legal Services of Austin (2002–2006)
- Member, Austin Young Men’s Business League (2003–2005). Fundraising and support of the Austin Sunshine Camps.
- Moderator, “Civility and Dispute Resolution in the Public Arena,” Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Dripping Springs Government Course (2019)
- Co-Speaker and Co-Author, “This Just In: Grand Juries, Investigations, Plea Bargains, Trials and Sentencing—Criminal Law in the News,” Robert C. Calvert American Inn of Court CLE (Austin) (2018)
- Speaker, “Challenges of Non-Profit Organizations,” Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Dripping Springs Course on Non-Profits (2017)
- Moderator, “Guardianship,” Hays County Bench-Bar Conference (2016)
Speaker and Author, “They Stole My Identity. Now What Do I Do? – An Overview of the Texas Identity - Theft Enforcement Protection Act,” Hays County Bar Association (2013)
- Co-Author, “Lawyers Still Trying to Do Math: Proportionate Responsibility, Including the New HB4, 2005 Update”
- Co-Author: Craig Duewall; Austin Young Lawyers’ Association CLE (Las Vegas) (2005)
Testimonials
"Trust is earned. At Daniel O'Brien Law, that fact is not taken for granted. I strive to become a trusted partner in my clients' corner and I am grateful when they share their confidence in my mission."
I am so thankful to Dan O'Brien and his wonderful staff. Dan was always very helpful and thorough in explaining the options that were best for my case and would always take the time to answer my questions. Things went so smoothly that I didn't even have to file a suit!
Dan was professional yet personable throughout the thirteen-month representation against my homebuilders. He was decisive and methodical with each new obstacle. I was grateful for the consistency of his soft-spoken words of wisdom and support, which led me to feel less anxious.
When one is facing a legal issue you want every advantage you can get. That is precisely the reason I approached Dan O’Brien to represent me during a very contentious lawsuit - he is an extremely well respected and well-networked attorney who has good standing relationships with many judges, prosecutors and law enforcement personnel.
Dan is thorough, knowledgeable, experienced and trustworthy. He explained the various options available to us very well, always answered any questions and did not sugarcoat it. We are very happy that he was our attorney. We would definitely use his services again.
Dan O'Brien is one of the most prudent and level-headed lawyers that I know. I have asked him to co-counsel of several of my cases, and it is so impressive to watch him advocate for our client in Court. Both my clients and I are more confident when he is on our side.
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