John F. O'Brien III

Associate

John F. O’Brien III is an associate in the Chicago office of Clausen Miller, P.C.  Mr. O’Brien joined Clausen Miller following graduation from the University of Illinois College of Law. 

While in law school, Mr. O’Brien served as a member of the Moot Court Bench and was the Executive Member of the Frederick Green Moot Court Editorial Board.   He also served as Research Assistant to Professors Matthew W. Finkin and Andrew D. Leipold, and was a member of the Student-Faculty Hiring Committee.  Mr. O’Brien previously served as law clerk to Judge Arnold F. Blockman, of the Champaign County Circuit Court. 

Mr. O’Brien received his Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from the University of Illinois College of Law, a M.M., with honors, from the University of Illinois, and a B.M., with highest distinction, from Northwestern University.  

He concentrates his practice in the areas of Business/Commercial Litigation, Bankruptcy, Employment Law, Professional Liability and Subrogation.

As a professional saxophonist, Mr. O’Brien has performed throughout the U.S. and abroad.  He has been a featured soloist with the Northwestern University Wind Ensemble, and has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, and Sinfonia da Camera.  Mr. O’Brien is also a founding member of the Red Onion Saxophone Quartet, an ensemble that has taken numerous prizes in regional North American Saxophone Alliance Competitions, and was awarded the silver medal at the 2001 Fischoff International Chamber Music Competition.  His performances have been broadcast on various classical stations across the country, including WFMT, WFDD, WBEZ and WILL.

Education

  • J.D., cum laude, University of Illinois College of Law, 2006
  • M.M., honors, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 2001
  • B.M., highest distinction, departmental honors, Northwestern University, 1999

Bar Admissions

  • Illinois

Court Admissions

  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois