Kinsey O’Brien, Immediate Past President, is a Partner at Hodgson Russ LLP. A member of the Firm's Labor & Employment practice group, Ms. O'Brien counsels employers in all aspects of labor and employment law and defends them in employment-related litigation. She has been named to the Upstate New York Super Lawyers Rising Stars lists for Employment & Labor since 2016 and was named an Legal Excellence Award honoree by the Rochester Business Journal in 2021.

In addition to her work with the WNY Chapter, Ms. O’Brien is active in the WBASNY State Nominations Committee. She previously served as a WNY WBASNY Local Director and chaired its Employment Law Committee, Bylaws Committee, and UB Law Liaison Committee.

Ms. O’Brien graduated summa cum laude from SUNY Buffalo Law School. During law school, Ms. O’Brien was a Publications Editor for the Buffalo Law Review and won the Charles S. Desmond Memorial Moot Court Competition. She was also awarded Best Appellate Brief in that competition.

Ms. O’Brien serves as Board President for Locust Street Neighborhood Art Classes, Inc., a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing free and low-cost art classes to individuals of all ages, especially youth, low-income, and minority populations. She is also the Chair of the Labor Law Committee of the Bar Association of Erie County and a member of the Leadership Buffalo Class of 2022.

Ms. O’Brien lives in Tonawanda with her husband and daughter and their dog, Chester. She is an avid football fan (Go Bills!) and loves to travel.