Michael Patrick O’Brien
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Michael Patrick O’Brien

Prior to working at Carrington Coleman, Michael represented many of the world’s largest insurance companies, providing them with coverage advice and litigation defense. Now he brings that invaluable experience to the commercial policyholder side, using his knowledge of how insurance companies work to maximize insurance recovery for his clients.  He knows how to persuade insurers to resolve claims prior to litigation wherever possible, He also knows how to mount the strongest litigation offensive if that fails. As a former law clerk, Michael enjoys the intricacies of civil procedure and motion practice. As a former English teacher with a Master’s in Medieval Literature, Michael excels in closely analyzing coverage to find the most persuasive arguments. He has won motions to dismiss, motions for summary judgment, motions to compel, motions in limine, and appellate arguments—always by pursuing the clearest yet most innovative way to argue his client’s case. Perhaps most importantly, Michael’s clients find that he puts them at ease with the litigation process—particularly in preparing for depositions, hearings and trial—and that he is adept at explaining complex legal concepts in an approachable manner.

Significant Matters

  • Obtained summary judgment in federal court on million-dollar contingent business interruption claim arising out of Hurricane Harvey.
  • Organized discovery review teams and directed motion practice in a case involving a billion-dollar COVID-19 insurance claim.
  • Aided clients in having multiple entries of default and default judgment set aside.
  • Obtained summary judgment in federal court, later affirmed on appeal to the Fifth Circuit, concerning application of a policy exclusion.
  • Successfully argued numerous discovery motions and motions to dismiss (including dismissal of entire case on mandatory forum selection clause).

Areas of Focus

Education

Education

  • University of Texas at Austin School of Law (J.D., 2017)
    • Editor in Chief, The Review of Litigation
    • Teaching Quizmaster, tutor for the first-year research and writing program
    • Curriculum Coordinator for Street Law, an organization dedicated to mentoring and teaching local public-school students
  • The University of Dallas (M.Hum. in Medieval Literature, 2011)
  • Middlebury College (B.S., Literary Studies, with a minor in Mathematics, cum laude, 2004)

Clerkships

Michael clerked with United States Magistrate Judge Hal R. Ray Jr. of the Northern District of Texas, August 2017–July 2018.

Admissions

Bar Admissions
  • Texas, 2017 (Active)
Court Admissions
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District, Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District, Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District, Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Western District, Texas
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit

Recognition

The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch, 2024-2025

Speeches/Publications

  • "Texas Insurers' Paths To Post-Appraisal Summary Judgment," Law360 Insurance Authority, November 22, 2021, Co-author
  • Moderated an all-judge panel on federal civil litigation at the 2020 Northern District of Texas Bench Bar Conference
  • “The Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 intends to increase disaster preparedness,” CAT-Law Navigator, May 2019, Author

Outside of Work

Prior to becoming the father of two daughters, Michael enjoyed world travel. Now that his world is slightly more circumscribed, he enjoys reading, games, and cooking and smoking gourmet meals.