Peter O’Brien
Man in a suit looking and smiling at the camera

Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Laws, 1996; Graduate Certificate Legal Practice, 1998; Graduate Certificate CLP, 1999

Faculty of Law Award

Pursuing social justice has been ingrained in Peter O’Brien since his formative years, with his family upbringing and his mother and grandfather’s influence teaching him the value of doing good. Peter’s impressive career shows his lifelong commitment to advocating for the disadvantaged.

Peter became politically aware and active in his pursuit of justice during his undergraduate Business and Law degrees at UTS. He stepped in as an ally to overseas scholarship students who came up against the introduction of fees beyond their means. During his time at UTS, he was President of the UTS Student Representative Council, a member of the University Council and a board member of the UTS Union. These experiences powered Peter’s passion to use his skills to bring more equity into Australia’s justice system and to advocate for individuals against the state and powerful institutions.

Today, Peter is the Principal Lawyer at O’Brien Criminal and Civil Solicitors, a firm he founded in 2007. Under his leadership, the firm is a beacon of hope for many legally aided and pro bono clients seeking justice and legal representation. Peter’s conviction to build a firm focused on representing those at a disadvantage was influenced by his early career at the Children’s Legal Service of Legal Aid NSW. There, he acted for the most vulnerable in the community – a role he later continued at the Northern Territory Aboriginal Legal Services, working with Indigenous communities. His selfless work was recognised when Peter was awarded Children’s Lawyer of the Year for the Northern Territory in 2001. He was also awarded a Human Rights Law Award from the Australian Human Rights Commission in 2016 and the NSW Law Society President’s Medal in 2023.

Known in the legal field as an ‘advocate for the disadvantaged’, Peter’s efforts have made a positive impact beyond his clients. His legal expertise was instrumental in the High Court case of Fairfax v Voller in 2021 – a case that revolutionised the sphere of defamation law as it applies to social media. Peter’s fearless advocacy has also set notable precedents for police accountability in NSW and throughout Australia. His representation for Bill Spedding in Spedding v The State of NSW set a landmark ruling regarding malicious prosecution and misfeasance in public office against NSW Police. It also led to a national record damages award for his client.

Peter continues to influence law reform in Australia. His commitment to supporting the underrepresented and ensuring access to justice stands strong.

I think it’s innate for any lawyer with a sound approach to law, if they're interested in pursuit of justice, to instinctively want to help those who are disadvantaged.

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.