Kara O'Brien

Professor Kara O'Brien is a faculty member at Southwestern Law School and a Deputy Public Defender at the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office. She specializes in representing marginalized individuals in criminal proceedings, with expertise in jury trials and complex cases. Her career combines legal practice with advocacy for vulnerable populations, including human trafficking survivors and low-income veterans.

Education:

• B.A. in Political Science, San Francisco State University
• J.D., Southwestern Law School (2018, Dean's Merit Scholarship)

Research & Advocacy Focus: Professor O'Brien's work bridges domestic and international law, emphasizing human rights, criminal justice reform, and ethical legal representation. She has published on international aid workers' challenges in addressing female genital cutting while respecting cultural norms. Her clinical experience includes the Immigration Law Clinic and Appellate Litigation Clinic.

Awards:

• Equal Justice Works Fellowship (supported direct legal aid for veterans)
• Girl Scouts Gold Award (community service achievement)

Grants & Clinical Work: Her public service legacy includes:

• Public Interest Law Committee involvement
• Leadership in Teen Court outreach programs
• Peace Corps service in Burkina Faso (health advocacy and gender equality initiatives)

Labs/Teams: Active in Southwestern's clinical programs, including the Immigration Law Clinic and Appellate Litigation Clinic, and collaborates with organizations like the Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking.