William Henry O'Brien

William Henry O'Brien

also known as William H. "Happy" O'Brien

4.3
Rating: 8.4

Licensed for 25 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Virginia Beach, VA
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI, Speeding & Traffic Ticket ... +2 more

1397 Laskin Rd, Virginia Beach, VA

About William

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 35%

Representing clients in a variety of Misdemeanor and Felony charges throughout Hampton Roads

26 years

35%
DUI and DWI 35%

Helping clients navigate the the ever changing and technical defense of alcohol related traffic offenses.

26 years

35%
Family 10%

Providing hands-on representation for the sensitive and emotional issues of divorce, child custody and support.

26 years

10%
Personal Injury 10%

Helping clients get the compensation they deserve when they are injured through the carelessness and negligence of others.

26 years

10%
Speeding and Traffic Ticket 10%

Representing clients in a variety of traffic offenses, both misdemeanor and felony, through Hampton Roads.

26 years

10%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Virginia for 25 years

State: Virginia

Acquired: 2000

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Doummar & O'Brien

1397 Laskin Rd, Virginia Beach, VA, 23451

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William Henry O'Brien's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.3 /5.0

16 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (16) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews | Speeding & Traffic Ticket

Posted by Penelope Hand | March 28, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Speeding & Traffic Ticket

DUI 3rd

YOU SIMPLY CANNOT HIRE A BETTER ATTORNEY!!! My husband was arrested for a DUI 3rd and in the end, he ended up with a $350 fine, no jail time (even though he had been held for 2 1/2 months) and only 2 misdemeanors and 2 non-moving traffic violations. Happy took the case, provided absolutely excellen...t representation, and treated us as people and not part of the 'cattle herd'. Worth every penny...and such a good man!

Posted by Jeremiah Meade | January 12, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Speeding & Traffic Ticket

Speeding ticket and seatbelt violation dismissed

I was pulled over for doing 45 in a 25 and not wearing a seat-belt. I didn’t want any points on my record, Happy made that happen. I had to take a very easy driving class. He made me feel included on what was happening. I would recommend O’Brien to anyone for traffic violations.

Posted by Tony | November 13, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Speeding & Traffic Ticket

Great lawyer!

I was pulled over for doing 18 over the speed limit. As many people do, I assumed that there was nothing I could do. after speaking to a friend, he recommended that I contact Mr O'Brien. Happy informed me that he was confident I had a case he could work with. He had my nearly reckless driving charge ...dropped to defective equipment! Mr O'Brien was affordable, professional, helpful, and most of all very easy to work with. I highly recommend his services

Posted by Jenny | October 30, 2014 | Speeding & Traffic Ticket

Professional, knowledgeable and friendly attorney.

I was driving home from the airport late at night after a long day of meetings and traveling, and was stopped for speeding near Shore Drive. I wasn't sure what options, if any, I had so I decided to seek council from an attorney. What should have been a reckless driving speeding ticket with points ag...ainst my license was argued down to defective equipment by William Henry "Happy" O'Brien. He kept me informed throughout the entire process and explained things in a way that were easy to understand. He was able to make a very unpleasant situation much more tolerable. I would highly recommend Happy and although I hope I never need his services again, I know I have an attorney I can trust and count on if ever needed.

Posted by Amy | August 07, 2014 | Speeding & Traffic Ticket

The most reliable honest attorney in town. He will get the job and done and Win your case for you.

"Happy" O'Brien is the best attorney in Va. Beach. He is honest trustworthy dependable intelligent. He has been my attorney assisting in my custody and child support matter but has also been instrumental in working with me for other traffic matters. I would recommend him for any and or all your lega...l matters. He is quick to respond and gets the job done. I would like to say that he has won every case he has handled for me...

See All Client Reviews

William Henry O'Brien's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse William
Ryan Gregory Ferguson headshot
Ryan Ferguson

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have had the pleasure of watching Happy grow into one of the finest defense attorneys in Coastal Virginia. I regularly collaborate with him on complicated and high-profile cases, and I would recommend him without reservation."

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Experience

Rating:  8.4 (Excellent)

Honors

2014

Rising Star, SuperLawyers

2014

Legal Elite, Virginia Business Magazine

2013

Rising Star, SuperLawyers

2012

Rising Star, SuperLawyers

2011

Rising Star, SuperLawyers

2010

Rising Star, SuperLawyers

Work Experience

2013 - Present

Partner, Doummar & O'Brien

2005 - 2013

Partner, Brydges, Geroe, Rosenblatt & O'Brien, PLLC

2000 - 2005

Associate, Brydges, O'Brien & Frucci

Associations

2000 - Present

Virginia Beach Bar Association

Attorney Member

Education

2000

University of Virginia School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1996

Davidson College

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution