Kathleen O’Brien

Profile

Kathleen joined Whitelaw Twining in 2024 with a background in employment, commercial and civil litigation. She previously practiced at a litigation firm in Calgary and the Yellowknife office of a leading full-service business law firm.

She has a varied insurance defence practice, focusing on professional liability and construction. She also maintains an employment practice. She has represented clients before the Alberta Court of Justice, Court of King’s Bench, and the Territorial Court of the Northwest Territories. Her diverse litigation background and client-centred approach provides her with a unique and adaptable perspective when working to resolve complex legal matters. She is known for her work ethic and passionate advocacy on behalf of her clients.

Kathleen received her JD from Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University in 2020. During law school,  Kathleen exercised her passion for advocacy by working for the Desmond Fatality Inquiry and the Nova Scotia Workers’ Compensation Appeals Tribunal. Prior to law school, she completed a Master of Arts in Political Science at Dalhousie, conducting research on the administration of mental healthcare in the armed forces of Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. She received a Bachelor of Arts from St. Mary’s University, where she was four-time Academic All-Canadian member of the varsity hockey team.    

Outside of work, Kathleen (sometimes) enjoys a round of golf, cooking and hockey. She can often be found exploring Calgary with her dog Finnegan and cheering on the Toronto Maple Leafs in the regular season.