Stephen M. O’Brien, III, grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, where he attended high school at J. M. Atherton High School, graduating in 1965. He attended the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia and graduated with a B.A. in 1969. He then served two years in the U.S. Army on active duty, completing a tour in the Republic of Vietnam in 1971. He remained in the active reserves in the Army until 1975.

Mr. O’Brien attended the University of Kentucky College of Law, graduating with the degree of Juris Doctor in 1974. He began his practice of law with the firm of McDonald, Alfred & Rosell, where he was an associate from 1974 until 1976. He then joined the firm of Landrum, Patterson & Dickey (now Landrum & Shouse) where he practiced as a trial attorney. He also served as managing partner of the firm for many years. He left Landrum & Shouse in 1993 and began a solo practice in Lexington, representing only those clients who had been injured in some fashion by negligence. His practice included medical negligence, nursing home negligence and products liability.

From 2000 to 2004, he was a partner in the firm of Savage, Garmer, Elliot & O’Brien. From 2004 to 2009, he was a partner in the firm of Garmer & O’Brien. From 2009 to 2017, Mr. O’Brien was the sole partner and owner of the firm of Stephen M. O’Brien, III, PLLC. Since January, 2017, Mr. O’Brien is the senior member of the firm of O’Brien Batten & Kirtley, PLLC.

Since 1993, Mr. O’Brien’s practice has focused solely on representation of people injured by the negligent acts of others. He is a member of many trial lawyer organizations and is licensed to practice in all courts in Kentucky and is licensed to practice in Florida. He is AV rated by Martindale Hubble. Since 2008, he has been recognized as a Super Lawyer. He also serves as an adjunct professor of litigation skills at the University of Kentucky College of Law.