Kerry Vincent O'Brien

Kerry Vincent O'Brien

4.9
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 23 years

Employment and labor Lawyer at Austin, TX
Practice Areas: Employment & Labor

1011 Westlake Drive, Austin, TX

About Kerry

Biography

Practice Areas

1

Practice Area

Employment and Labor 100%

Unpaid compensation: commissions, bonuses, executive compensation, salary, overtime wages, employment agreements. That's ALL I do, and only for employees and independent contractors in Texas, as a former Texas assistant attorney general.

18 years | 650 cases

100%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Contingency

33%-33%


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Texas for 23 years

State: Texas

Acquired: 2002

Eligible to Practice in Texas

No misconduct found

Location

Law Offices of Kerry Vincent O'Brien

1011 Westlake Drive, Austin, TX, 78746

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Kerry Vincent O'Brien's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.9 /5.0

62 Client Reviews

Showing 11 - 15 of 15 reviews | General Knowledge

Posted by Aaron | July 16, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Employment & Labor

Excellent

I hired Kerry to represent me in an unemployment hearing. My benefits were already approved but my previous employer appealed. They paraded 4 witnesses against me and I had none. Kerry reviewed my documents for evidence before submission and picked out 14 pages out of 130+ for me to submit, he then p...repped me over the phone. My hearing was strange, it went over the 1 hour time frame and had to be reset a few weeks later and took an additional half hour. Kerry is prompt in responses and gives sound advice. If you are uncomfortable representing yourself, this is money VERY well spent. We prevailed in the end and I am very satisfied.

Kerry O'Brien

Replied last July 16, 2017

I was very glad to help in this hearing. Commission Appeals unfortunately reversed on the employer's appeal - meaning, I was able to help the client win a case that Commission Appeals said he shouldn't have won. And, we're still working on behalf of this client to get unpaid wages from the employer, and helped him file suit to continue appealing his TWC claim. Sometimes, when we help someone on an unemployment claim, we determine that other rights have been violated, and are sometimes able to recover for them thousands of additional dollars above and beyond their unemployment benefits.

Posted by Donald | July 07, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Appeals

Champion

I was unsure about the proceedings of the Appeal Tribunal. I needed guidance,advice and counselling on how the meeting would be conducted. Mr. O'Brien prepared me for the tough questions that would be asked. Every e-mail was answer in a timely manner, all my questions, no matter how insignificant wer...e all answered . Mr. Kerry O'Brien was well worth the investment. Thanks for helping me win !!!

Kerry O'Brien

Replied last July 07, 2016

I am happy to have been able to help this client. And through the process of helping this client on his unemployment appeal, I was able to determine that he may have claim of wrongful termination and will be moving forward on that as well.

Posted by anonymous | March 23, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Determined, effective and kind!

I am grateful to Kerry O'Brien for taking on my case. I was feeling very defeated and powerless when he called me and told me what had transpired was illegal and unacceptable, and we had a strong case. He kept in constant touch so I knew exactly what the plan of action was, and made me feel confident... that I would be protected. I am very pleased with Kerry's service.

Kerry O'Brien

Replied last March 23, 2016

I was glad to help this deserving client. Everyone wants their attorney to consistently return their calls and emails. Only some attorneys actually do.

Posted by Michael | March 10, 2016 | Appeals

I would highly recommend Kerry for anyone dealing with an unemployment appeal.

I hired Kerry to defend me against an appeal filed by my previous employer after receiving unemployment benefits. I discovered his law firm via the internet. I called his office and left a voice mail. My call was returned very quickly by Kerry himself, not a legal aid or a secretary. He took the time... to listen to my situation and answer any questions I had. After I hired him to represent me, he continued to personally respond to all my calls and emails very quickly. Kerry is the first attorney I have ever had to hire, but I have heard many stories from other people who have hired attorneys. Everything I have ever heard about hiring an attorney has ALWAYS been negative. Things like it's impossible to get a hold of your attorney once you pay him, they are very impersonal and don't seem to care, and the most common issue being that people don't trust their attorneys. My experience with Kerry has been nothing but a pleasure. He knows what he is doing and he is very comfortable to work with. There were many times where he replied to my emails on the weekend or in the evening. Kerry's rates are very reasonable as well. Some other attorneys I had looked at advertised a flat rate fee. After looking a little deeper I found that their "flat rate" fee only applied if your appeal is completed in one hearing. If it goes past that, then you are charged $100/hr. Kerry offers a flat rate fee as well. The difference is that if your appeal goes beyond a single hearing, like mine already has, you will not be hit with any kind of hidden fees. Kerry's flat rate fee is a true flat rate. I can honestly say that I trust Kerry. I would not hesitate to tell any body that they can trust him as well.

Kerry O'Brien

Replied last March 10, 2016

It was a pleasure to help Michael through a hearing that was tough both fact-wise and emotionally. We were able to come up with a creative angle to help him win his case - and I can say that it came directly from my experience as a former TWC hearing officer. I'm glad I could use that experience to help him get the right result.

Posted by Eileen | November 25, 2015 | Litigation

Excellent Litigation Attorney

Kerry helped me and my family with a challenging, complicated, and emotional legal issue that involved complicated litigation. At all times he helped me stay focused on the goal and not get districted by the potentially costly side issues. His knowledge of the issues we were dealing with was excell...ent and he was always responsive to my inquires. I hope I never deal with something like this again but if I do - he will be the first person I will call!

Kerry O'Brien

Replied last November 25, 2015

This was a long and difficult fight, but when the circumstances call for it, our firm will be in the ring fighting for our clients from the beginning until the end. I was glad to help these clients accomplish their goals and right a wrong situation.

See All Client Reviews

Kerry Vincent O'Brien's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Kerry
Adrian Matthew Resendez headshot
Adrian Resendez

Employment and labor lawyer | Sep 13

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Kerry is one of the most passionate attorneys that I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with."

Rhett Lane Hoestenbach headshot
Rhett Hoestenbach

Employment and labor lawyer | Jul 06

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Great attorney! I endorse this lawyer."

Amanda Michelle Bergstrom headshot
Amanda Bergstrom

Employment and labor lawyer | Mar 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I met Kerry at a meeting through the Austin Bar Association several years ago. He is knowledgeable and passionate about helping his clients and I would refer a friend to him."

John K Lassen headshot
John Lassen

Unknown lawyer | Mar 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Angela Faye Brown headshot
Angela Brown

Employment and labor lawyer | Jul 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Robert Werner von Dohlen headshot
Robert von Dohlen

Employment and labor lawyer | Jun 10

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. O'Brien is a well-respected member of the legal community; he has a fine reputation and is highly recommended. I met Kerry at a Continuing Education class for fellow attorneys; he made a great presentation that demonstrated not only his intellect but also deep care and concern for his clients and others in his life."

Lori Elaine Hall Laird headshot
Lori Laird

Employment and labor lawyer | Jun 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Sherrie Haussner Travers headshot
Sherrie Travers

Employment and labor lawyer | Jun 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Kerry O'Brien. He is knowledgable in employment/labor law as well as commercial itigation. I will not hesitate referring my clients to him."

Andrew Michael Tolchin headshot
Andrew Tolchin

Employment and labor lawyer | Jan 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Kerry O'Brien for employment law, business law, and many fields of practice. Kerry is a consummate professional, very knowledgeable, and has an excellent demeanor. When I have legal issues in Austin, Kerry is someone I look to."

Trenton Lane Kelly headshot
Trenton Kelly

Commercial real estate lawyer | Sep 25

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse Kerry without reservation and would recommend him to any client seeking legal counsel. The majority of my personal experience with Kerry came from a partnership dispute case in which I was opposing counsel. The case was complex in that it had multiple moving parts and the clients on each side had personal relationships outside of their partnership that created unique challenges. Kerry worked tirelessly for his clients and effectively and persuasively communicated their position. Ultimately, we were able to resolve the case without going to trial. This result was largely based on Kerry's fine work and professionalism. I have since referred cases to Kerry and have only heard great things from each person who has worked with him. If you are looking for a great lawyer who will provide you with personal attention, look no further."

James Daniel Parker headshot
James Parker

Employment and labor lawyer | Apr 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. He's very knowledgeable and capable."

View All Endorsements
Adrian Matthew Resendez headshot
Adrian Resendez

Business lawyer

Amanda Michelle Bergstrom headshot
Amanda Bergstrom

Estate planning lawyer

Sade Ogunbode headshot
Sade Ogunbode

Debt settlement lawyer

Tony Ray Bertolino headshot
Tony Bertolino

Administrative law lawyer

Andrew Michael Tolchin headshot
Andrew Tolchin

Personal injury lawyer

Rhett Lane Hoestenbach headshot
Rhett Hoestenbach

Personal injury lawyer

Trenton Lane Kelly headshot
Trenton Kelly

Business lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2025

SuperLawyers, Thomson Reuters

2024

SuperLawyers, Thomson Reuters

2023

SuperLawyers, Thomson Reuters

2016

Board Certified - Labor and Employment Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization

Work Experience

2008 - Present

Attorney and Owner, O'Brien Law Firm

2003 - 2007

Assistant Attorney General, Office of the Attorney General of Texas

2002 - 2003

Hearing Officer, Texas Workforce Commission

Associations

2015 - Present

Texas Bar Foundation

Fellow

2012 - Present

Texas Employment Lawyers Association

Member

State Bar of Texas Employment Law Section

Member

State Bar of Texas, Litigation Section

Member

Austin Bar Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

McSwain v. Act Global Americas, Inc.

$152,000 in sales commission + $60K attorney fees and $27K of interest

Warren v. Revolution Insurance Technologies

$425,000 (resolved on confidential terms during post-award receivership)

Rekiel v. Wardlaw Consulting Group, LLC et al.

$504,000 awarded to client, as well as a jury finding entitling her to hundreds of thousands of dollars in future commissions. The ongoing dispute was resolved post-trial on confidential terms.

See More Legal Cases

Education

2002

University of Texas School of Law

Speaking Engagements

2016

Employment Law 101

Winning Unemployment Appeals

2014

People's Law School

Employment Law for Employees

2014

Austin Bar Association, Labor & Employment Law Section

Inside the Mind of a TWC Hearing Officer

2013

People's Law School

Employment Law for Employees

2012

Peoiple's Law School

Employment Law

2011

People's Law School

Employment Law

2010

Personal Injury Practice for Paralegals

Mediating, Negotiating and Trying Personal Injury Cases

Publications

2016

Employment Law 101 - Texas State Bar Handling Unemployment Appeals

Languages

English

Activity

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