Brian O'Dwyer

Brian O’Dwyer is a native New Yorker and was educated in the New York City public school system. He graduated from the High School of Music and Art, now known as LaGuardia High School, and is married to the former Marianna Page MacWilliam. They have two children, Brendan Keith O’Dwyer and Kathleen Page O’Dwyer, and they have four grandchildren: Paul Ellis O’Dwyer, Patrick Trescott O’Dwyer, Reilly Page O’Dwyer, and Hailey Grace O’Dwyer.

Brian O’Dwyer received his Bachelor of Arts degree from The George Washington University in Spanish-American Literature and his Masters of Arts degree in Spanish-Language Literature from Middlebury College in Madrid. He then went on to receive his Juris Doctorate degree from Georgetown University and his Masters in Law from The George Washington University. In July 2013 he was awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (hc) by Dublin City University.

He has spent virtually his entire legal career at O’Dwyer & Bernstien, LLP, a law firm founded by his late father, Paul, which concentrates on personal injury, immigration rights, labor relations and general commercial litigation. Presently, he serves as the firm's senior partner. His outstanding achievements have been recognized by his peers, and he has been cited as a New York Super Lawyer since its inception, which a peer ranking is given to only the top 5% of the profession as surveyed by the Bar of New York City. He has also been awarded a rating for 25 years that puts him at the very top of his profession. He presently serves as General Counsel of the US Airline Pilots Association, and represents pilots throughout the United States.

Dr. O’Dwyer has been a consummate advocate for immigrants’ rights. He was founder of the Emerald Isle Immigration Center, which is the largest Irish immigrant center in the United States. In its almost 25 years of existence, the center has helped literally thousands of Irish men and women as they immigrated to New York City. The center also serves as a focal point for the advocacy of Irish immigrant causes. Brian has served as chairman and counselor to the Asociación Tepeyac as well, which provides advocacy and services to New York’s growing Mexican community. One of his greatest accomplishments for immigration reform was when helped convince the late New York City Mayor Edward Koch to open the doors of New York City’s public universities and colleges to all immigrants regardless of their documented status. As an attorney he has concentrated