LOS ANGELES – Robert C. O’Brien, managing partner of Arent Fox, Los Angeles, Stephen Larson, a leading commercial and criminal defense litigation attorney and former United States District Judge, and Michael Turrill, a partner focused on commercial litigation, were rated among the 100 leading Irish-American attorneys in the country by the Irish Voice Newspaper.
Candidates are nominated by colleagues, clients and the publication for their exceptional legal work and community involvement. The leading attorneys were honored at a reception and award ceremony held at the home of Irish Ambassador Michael Collins on October 25.
“It is humbling to be named among the Irish Legal 100 together with my colleagues Stephen and Michael and such lawyers and judges as Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Anthony Kennedy and California Supreme Court Justice Carol Corrigan,” said Mr. O’Brien. “It was very kind of Ambassador Collins and his wife to open up their beautiful home again this year, providing a wonderful environment for the Irish legal community to meet up with old colleagues and make new friends.”
In addition to representing domestic and foreign-based companies in commercial litigation ranging from oil and gas to contract issues and intellectual property disputes within the US, Mr. O’Brien has extensive experience in foreign claims proceedings, and domestic and international arbitration. He serves as a senior advisor to Governor Mitt Romney on foreign policy and national security matters.
A former Assistant US Attorney and highly respected US District Judge who played an active role in promoting the rule of law and combating corruption in Uzbekistan, Croatia, and Rwanda, Mr. Larson also served on the executive board of the US Department of State’s Public-Private Partnership for Justice Reform in Afghanistan. He joined Arent Fox in June, 2011 and quickly developed a premier litigation practice. While much of his work centers on high-profile commercial and criminal defense litigation, he also has experience in antitrust, civil rights and intellectual property matters.
Aside from his commercial litigation practice which includes consumer class actions, business torts and environmental matters, Mr. Turrill serves on the firm's pro bono committee and works extensively with charitable and community organizations in Southern California. He also serves as president of the Los Angeles chapter of the Irish American Bar Association, one of the largest in the country. Under his leadership, the chapter has continued to host professional, social and cultural activities that help to expand awareness of Irish history in the United States and the great Irish role models in the business, legal and political arenas.
