John C. O'Brien, J.D.
Professor Emeritus
Education
J.D., Harvard Law School, 1967
B.A., Yale University, 1964
Publications and Media Placements
John O鈥橞rien is one of the state鈥檚 leading experts on the law of evidence. He is author of the book, Missouri Law of Evidence, now in its 4th edition, and the book, Missouri Evidentiary Foundations, now in its 2nd edition. He has also co-authored the books Federal Criminal Trial Evidence and Illinois Objections at Trial.
鈥淓vidence is both intellectually rigorous and intensely practical,鈥� Professor O鈥橞rien says. 鈥淧eople sometimes say if you don鈥檛 take any other course in law school, take evidence. It鈥檚 a keystone for any lawyer and it鈥檚 endlessly fascinating to me, both to teach and research.鈥�
Professional Organizations and Associations
Professor O鈥橞rien has been teaching and researching evidence law since joining the School of Law in 1975. Prior to academia, he was in practice for nearly a decade. After graduating from Harvard Law School, O鈥橞rien was a staff attorney with the Federal Communications Commission. He then joined VISTA as a volunteer lawyer and helped develop a new legal aid program in two rural counties in West Virginia.
From 1970 to 1973, he was the managing attorney with the Neighborhood Legal Services Program in Washington, D.C. Subsequently, he became directing attorney of the Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation in 1973, where he handled a number of cases, including three major utility rate proceedings and a rule-making proceeding on customer service regulations.
Professor O鈥橞rien says he draws on his experiences to bridge the gap between theory and practice for his students. 鈥淚t鈥檚 one thing to train your mind to think as a lawyer,鈥� he says, 鈥渂ut it is another thing to be able to go out and practice successfully. The practitioner needs to understand how the law works on the ground, how the law is applied to serve the client. I鈥檓 the type who thinks in terms of problem solving, and evidence is predicated on finding solutions.鈥�
In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Professor O鈥橞rien has directed the School鈥檚 clinical programs. Currently, he is a volunteer lawyer and consultant for Legal Services of Eastern Missouri and Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation. While researching and writing supplements to his previous books, Professor O鈥橞rien will do a revision of the Missouri Civil Rules Practice volume for the Missouri Practice series.