George E. O'Brien Jr.

George E. O’Brien: Protecting Employers’ Rights Through Strategic Legal Counsel

George E. O’Brien is a seasoned legal advocate dedicated to representing and advising employers across a broad spectrum of labor and employment matters. With a distinguished career built on a foundation of litigation, negotiation, and strategic counsel, Mr. O’Brien provides comprehensive legal solutions to navigate the complex landscape of employment law, protecting the interests of businesses and ensuring compliance with all applicable federal and state regulations. He is a core team member of the Health Care Industry Practice Group at Littler Mendelson and a founding member of their New Haven office, demonstrating a deep commitment to providing exceptional legal representation to clients in the healthcare sector.

Mr. O’Brien’s expertise encompasses a vast array of legal areas, including collective bargaining, unfair labor practice proceedings, labor representation cases and elections, grievances, injunction proceedings, arbitrations, mediation, union relationships, wrongful discharge claims, breach of contract disputes, and discrimination claims. He possesses a thorough understanding of critical legislation such as the National Labor Relations Act, the Connecticut Municipal Employee Relations Act, and various State and Federal Anti-Discrimination Laws, along with State and Federal Wage & Hour Laws. His courtroom success extends to both state and federal courts, where he consistently advocates for his clients with tenacity and strategic precision.

Recent Case Victories & Notable Achievements

Mr. O’Brien’s track record of success speaks volumes about his dedication and legal acumen. He recently argued at the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, successfully challenging a controversial National Labor Relations Board ruling that restricted employers’ rights to regulate employee conduct concerning offensive customer interactions. This victory underscores his commitment to defending fundamental employer rights. Furthermore, he achieved a landmark judgment in a federal court case in Connecticut, securing a defendant's verdict for a major insurance company in a pioneering sexual orientation discrimination claim. He skillfully represented a large Connecticut municipality in the privatization of the town golf course, effectively thwarting union attempts to secure a court injunction. A particularly notable accomplishment involved representing a regional transportation company, where he obtained a precedent-setting National Labor Relations Board decision that effectively defeated a union's successorship claim, and he secured multi-million dollar contract concessions from a registered nurses' union on behalf of an acute care hospital in New York. He also won a defendant's verdict in a jury trial involving discrimination and retaliation claims based on race and national origin for a Connecticut acute care hospital, showcasing his ability to effectively present a compelling case before a jury. Beyond litigation, Mr. O’Brien expertly negotiates severance agreements with departing high-ranking officials for numerous major employers in Connecticut, and he successfully represented a Massachusetts acute care hospital in an NLRB representation case and election, decisively defeating the union’s efforts.

Areas of Expertise

Mr. O’Brien’s practice caters to a diverse clientele, including hospitals, manufacturers, physician practices, colleges and universities. He is a recognized leader in his field, holding numerous awards and accolades, including Lawyer of the Year: Employment Law – Management (multiple years), Lawyer of the Year: Labor Law – Management, and Lawyer of the Year: Litigation – Labor and Employment. He is recognized as a **Martindale-Hubbell AV® Peer Review Rating - Healthcare** and consistently named as a **Super Lawyer – Connecticut**.

Legal Credentials & Affiliations

Practice Areas: Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment
Awards: Lawyer of the Year: Employment Law – Management, New Haven (2025), Lawyer of the Year: Labor Law – Management, New Haven (2025), Lawyer of the Year: Litigation – Labor and Employment, New Haven (2024), Lawyer of the Year: Labor Law – Management, New Haven (2023), Lawyer of the Year: Employment Law – Management, New Haven (2021), Lawyer of the Year: Labor Law – Management, New Haven (2019), Lawyer of the Year: Litigation – Labor and Employment, New Haven (2019), Lawyer of the Year: Employment Law – Management, New Haven (2018), Lawyer of the Year: Labor Law – Management, New Haven (2017), Lawyer of the Year: Litigation – Labor and Employment, New Haven (2016), Lawyer of the Year: Labor Law – Management, New Haven (2015), Lawyer of the Year: Employment Law – Management, New Haven (2014), Lawyer of the Year: Litigation – Labor and Employment, New Haven (2013)
Recognized: Employment Law – Management, Recognized: Labor Law – Management, Recognized: Litigation – Labor and Employment
Special Focus: Arbitration and Mediation, Class Actions, Defense, Health Care, Labor, Litigation, Management, National Labor Relations Board, State and Federal, Title VII Litigation, Wrongful Discharge
Affiliations: Recognized Since: Recognized in Best Attorney USA since 2001, Named, Super Lawyer – Connecticut, Named, America’s Leading Lawyers for Business – Chambers USA, 2003-2013

Education & Bar Admissions

George E. O’Brien is a highly accomplished legal professional with a strong academic background and extensive experience. He served as editor-in-chief of the Connecticut Law Review while in law school and was the law clerk for Chief Judge T. Emmet Clarie of the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. He is admitted to practice in state and federal courts throughout the United States.

Contact
George E. O’Brien’s commitment to protecting employers’ rights and achieving favorable outcomes is unmatched. Contact our office today to discuss your legal needs.