John O'Brien

John O'Brien

San Diego, CA
Wrongful Death

About John O'Brien

John J. O'Brien specializes in representing victims of sexual abuse, trafficking, and harassment, with over 20 years of plaintiff's litigation experience. In his signature case, Jane Does v. GirlsDoPorn, he obtained a $20 million damages award for his clients after a 99-day trial with 57 witnesses and over 3,000 exhibits, opposing over 100 motions and filing over 30 of his own. Federal authorities separately indicted the same defendants for criminal sex trafficking based on evidence developed during John's civil case; the defendants pleaded guilty and received decades in prison. Following that case, John sued Pornhub alleging violations of federal sex trafficking laws, which was later resolved. He also received a Consumer Advocate of the Year Award for these matters. Other results include an $8,000,000 recovery against a high school for negligently allowing a student's sexual battery. His personal injury and sexual abuse practice draws on over a decade of prior business litigation experience in unfair business practices and investment fraud. Raised in Baltimore, Maryland, John graduated from Boston College in 2003 with a degree in Economics. He received his law degree from California Western School of Law in 2007, where he was on the Dean's List and Moot Court Honor's Board. He is a Board Member of the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego and the Irish American Bar Association of San Diego, and serves the non-profit Free to Thrive, which assists sex and human trafficking victims.

Notable case results

$20 millionAward

Damages award in Jane Does v. GirlsDoPorn (sex trafficking civil trial, 2021)

$8,000,000Verdict

For sexual battery victim against a high school

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is unique and depends on its own facts.

Practice areas

Wrongful Death

Education

California Western School of Law
J.D., 2007
Boston College
Undergraduate, 2003

Bar admissions & credentials

State Bar of California

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John O'Brien — Personal Injury Lawyer