Julia O’Brien, Esq.

VP of Operations, General Counsel

Julia O’Brien draws inspiration from the motivated and dedicated members of BL Companies. As an employee-owned company, Julia emphasizes that every individual within BL Companies has bought into the concept that no matter where you sit in the company, you’re contributing and playing a significant role. Julia notes that it’s the collective belief in the value of each contribution that sets BL Companies apart.

Julia’s career has been marked by seeking out new challenges. After graduating from Dartmouth College, she moved to New York City and worked at a small boutique fundraising consulting firm before traveling to Washington D.C. where she became involved in public relations. While in D.C., Julia enrolled in law school at Catholic University where she says that everything clicked for her. It’s where she fell in love with the analytical parts of the profession — diving into language, the crafting of a good sentence as part of a larger provision and working with clients on drafting contracts that work for both parties.

Within BL Companies, Julia wears two hats, exemplifying her versatility and commitment to the organization. As General Counsel she assumes responsibility for overseeing risk management matters, ensuring the firm’s legal interests are protected. She also serves as the VP of Operations, leading the Environmental and ASMEP Groups, which encompass Architecture and Building Engineering.

Julia looks across the company strategically, concerning herself with improving internal processes and growth. As her role has developed, she has implemented compliance-related policies and procedures throughout BL Companies and oversees many internal committees, including Technical Training, QA/QC and Safety that seek to promote such policies. She has developed such events as “Safety Day” and “BL Back to Basics Day” – employee wide events that go over best practices. She also created and hosts the “Lunch with Legal” series where discussions are held on lessons learned on projects and on improving risk management.

Julia believes in walking a client to the door at the conclusion of a meeting. She believes a meeting is never finished until that small gesture of politeness and respect is complete. Taking a client to the end of the journey was advice given to her by her father, who was also an attorney, and that advice has guided Julia throughout her career.