McGill is something of a tradition with the O’Brien family. During my father’s time as a student, he was the editor of The McGill Daily. I met my wife while we were at McGill, and two of our children graduated from McGill. I hope that one of my grandkids will follow the family tradition and attend McGill.
Over and above these connections, what drew me to McGill was its excellent reputation, notably of its Faculty of Law, where I had set my sights on studying.
My time at McGill prepared me well for my future career, first as a lawyer and later as an executive in the energy and rail sectors. My law courses helped me hone my analytical capabilities, and when I transitioned from law to the corporate world I had the confidence to apply my skills to new challenges.
I also learned the importance of giving back, both as a volunteer and as a philanthropist. As a student I was involved with the Law Students’ Association and served as its president. I am a longtime McGill donor and am proud to have established the O’Brien Graduate Fellowships for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism. I choose to support causes that are greater than myself.