Patrick T. O’Brien is a skilled advocate whose compassion for his clients is as important to him as his skills to provide great outcomes in his cases. Attorney O'Brien is a Partner with Dischley Law, PLLC. He is a former prosecutor with nearly a decade of experience handling high profile cases and major crimes. Attorney O'Brien is known in Northern Virginia as a skilled and tenacious litigator who obtains unprecedented results for his clients. He prides himself on taking a holistic approach with all his clients, and believes strongly that such an approach leads to better results in court. Attorney O'Brien's knowledge, experience, and passion provides him with the ability to see any client through even the most difficult situation to achieve a positive outcome.
Attorney O'Brien's legal insight and experience sets him apart from other attorneys. In his career Attorney O'Brien has taken hundreds of cases to trial, including dozens of jury trials, on charges ranging from DUI, Reckless Driving, and possession of controlled substances up to murder, rape and large-scale drug distribution. In his career Attorney O'Brien has provided training to other attorneys, prosecutors, and law enforcement professionals on topics including Driving Under the Influence, Constitutional Law, trial practice, and other areas.
Attorney O'Brien’s clients benefit from his experience representing the Commonwealth in both Northern and Southern Virginia. Attorney O'Brien’s career began serving the citizens of Lynchburg, Virginia. During his time in Lynchburg, Attorney O'Brien prosecuted charges ranging from criminal misdemeanors, traffic offenses and serious felonies. Before leaving Lynchburg, Attorney O'Brien’s was handling major felonies to include narcotics distribution, robbery, embezzlement and homicide.
After five years in Lynchburg, Attorney O'Brien accepted a Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney position in the City of Alexandria. Attorney O'Brien's caseload focused on major felony offenses, primarily focused on the prosecution of narcotics distribution offenses. Beyond drug trafficking, he continued to work robbery, firearm and, homicide crimes hand in hand with the city’s Police Department.
After over nine years spent prosecuting in Southern and Northern Virginia, Attorney O'Brien brings a well-rounded understanding of prosecutorial goals and tactics. This knowledge provides his clients an advocate who can quickly diagnose the strengths and weaknesses of the Government's case. With this information, Attorney O'Brien then determines the client’s best course of action.
Attorney O'Brien’s skills as a litigator were highly respected by his peers in the legal field. Attorney O'Brien served a lecturer for prosecutors, law enforcement, criminal defense attorneys, and judges. His main focus related to the presentation of visual evidence at trial. Attorney O'Brien developed multi-day trainings related to the use of cutting-edge technology in the courtroom and best practices to communicate visual evidence to juries. Attorney O'Brien also provided insight into evidence obtained from cellular technology and social media. Attorney O'Brien has been asked to lecture at events hosted the Virginia State Bar, the Criminal Section of the Virginia State Bar, The Office of the Attorney General, The University of Virginia School of Law, Washington and Lee School of Law and the Commonwealth’s Attorneys’ Services Council.
Practice areas
11 years, 1,000 cases
11 years, 500 cases
11 years, 500 cases
Languages spoken
English
Dischley Law, PLLC
108 N. Alfred Street
Alexandria, VA, 22314
Dischley Law, PLLC
9255 Center Street
Suite 300B
Manassas, VA, 20110
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
VA | Active | 2010 | 02/04/2020 |
Legal answers | 3 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
---|---|---|
Top 40 Under 40 | National Trial Lawyers | 2020 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Partner | Dischley Law, PLLC | 2020 - Present |
Senior Assistant Commonwealth Attorney | Alexandria Commonwealth Attorney's Office | 2015 - 2020 |
Assistant Commonwealth Attorney | Lynchburg Commonwealth Attorney's Office | 2010 - 2015 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
U.S District Court, EDVA | Admitted | 2020 - Present |
Alexandria Bar Association | Member | 2016 - Present |
Virginia State Bar | Attorney and Counselor at Law | 2010 - Present |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Office of the Attorney General | TWELFTH AND FINAL DEFENDANT SENTENCED FOR ROLE IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA HEROIN/FENTANYL TRAFFICKING RINGS | 2018 |
City of Alexandria | Woman Sentenced to Serve 30 Days in Jail for Driving Under the Influence | 2016 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Washington and Lee University School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 2010 |
Colgate University | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 2006 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Spring Institute | Visual Trial | 2015 |
Fall Commonwealth Attorneys Confrence | IPads in Court | 2012 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Two Reckless Driving Cases | One Reckless Driving Charge Dismissed and the second was reduced to speeding. |
Negotiated Dismissal on Loudoun Drunk in Public | Nolle Prosequi |
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Andrew Criado, Criminal defense Attorney on Apr 28, 2020
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Pat O'Brien is an outstanding attorney with broad experience in multiple jurisdictions in Virginia. As a former colleague of Pat's in the Alexandria Commonwealth's Attorney's Office, I saw firsthand the knowledge and dedication that Pat brings to every case. Apart from being an exemplary attorney, Pat is more importantly a gentleman. He is kind to others and generous with his time. I highly recommend Pat O'Brien.
Farheena Siddiqui, Criminal defense Attorney on Feb 24, 2020
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Pat is a level-headed and skilled attorney who possesses the unique skill of being able to view a case from both sides. He will work tirelessly to ensure a good outcome for his clients.
Thomas Carter, Criminal defense Attorney on Feb 20, 2020
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer. Pat O'Brien is a former Virginia prosecutor with years of experience. He and I have been on opposite sides in several criminal and DWI/DUI cases. In every instance, I was impressed by how smart he was, how well-prepared he was and how conscientious he was. In summary, he's a really good defense attorney.
Samuel Moore, Criminal defense Attorney on Feb 20, 2020
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Pat is a phenomenally skilled and articulate trial attorney. He is no-nonsense and able to identify the key issues in every case. I highly recommend him and trust his judgment implicitly.
Kiara Swinton, Criminal defense Attorney on Feb 20, 2020
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Attorney O'Brien has a wealth of knolwedge and experience to offer his clients, having practiced in the criminal defense field for over a decade. His extensive eperience as a prosecutor makes him well-equipped to defend those accused of committing crimes as he knows how these cases will be approached by opposing counsel. Additionally, Patrick is a pleasure to work with and genuinely cares about helping his clients. I am happy to endorse him.
Douglas Marshall, Criminal defense Attorney on Feb 18, 2020
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I highly recommend Pat O'Brien for those in need of an outstanding criminal defense attorney. His background as a former prosecutor gives him a keen ability to analyze your case, negotiate a favorable resolution, as well as try your case when necessary. His command of the law, procedure, and the rules of evidence is top notch. Pat has also made a name across the Commonwealth as a teacher of other lawyers in numerous topics. For these reasons and more, I wholeheartedly endorse Pat without reservation.
Sean Sherlock, Criminal defense Attorney on Feb 18, 2020
Relationship: Co-worker
Pat is an outstanding attorney. The skills and knowledge he gained in over a decade as a prosecutor is an invaluable asset for his clients. More importantly, Pat is simply a great person. He truly cares about his clients and his holistic approach yields fantastic results.
David Dischley, Criminal defense Attorney on Feb 18, 2020
Relationship: Co-worker
Pat is an outstanding private defense counsel. His intimate knowledge of the legal system coupled with sound legal analysis makes him a legal powerhouse both in and out of the Courtroom. He is a tenacious litigator who gives his clients the time and understanding so that they are at ease with him in Court.