Judge Bridget M. O’Brien was elected to the Cleveland Municipal Court on November 7, 2023 and brings more than 20 years of diverse legal and court leadership experience to the bench.

Before law school, Judge O’Brien served with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, working with marginalized populations and developing a lifelong commitment to service and equal access to justice. She began her legal career at the Cleveland Legal Aid Society and later built extensive experience in appellate and trial court administration.

A Certified Court Manager through the National Center for State Courts, Judge O’Brien served as Deputy Court Administrator for the Eighth District Court of Appeals from 2017 to 2023. She previously served nearly 12 years as a Judicial Attorney for the Eighth District, and also worked as a staff attorney for the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas. In addition, she served as an Assistant Director of Law for the City of Cleveland in code enforcement and litigation.

Judge O’Brien is a graduate of Miami University of Ohio and Cleveland State University College of Law. She is active with the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association and has served on statewide committees supporting court education, technology, and civil justice initiatives. Currently, Judge O'Brien serves on the Ohio Supreme Court Commission on the Rules of Practice and Procedure and chairs the Traffic Committee.

Judge O’Brien and her husband have lived in Cleveland for more than 20 years and are raising three children.