An online service will be held for Peter on the 16th September from 1.55pm (AEST). Click here to attend.

Many of you will undoubtedly know, Peter O’Brien, perhaps as an important team member within LMI Group heading up LMI Legal or as LMI Group’s Corporate Counsel, while others would have known him as a mentor or unselfish adviser but most of us will know him as a dear friend with a fantastic sense of humour and a man without a mean bone in his body.

Sadly, on Sunday afternoon, after spending a wonderful Father’s Day with his wife and 2 boys. Peter complained of an extreme head ache which we now know was the start of the aneurysm, that took his life.

Peter was much more than a colleague at LMI, more like a brother to many of us, me included, while to to the many team members he mentored, he was a father figure, despite his relatively young age, . 

Over the week we have privately advised several of our clients where Peter was actively working on their case and the genuine out pouring of grief at the passing of Peter demonstrated that it was not just within the LMI family that Peter was so highly regarded but with so many outside. 

This includes the many solicitors who knew Peter, including opposing solicitors who may have only known Peter through single litigated matters, but who have called in with their sympathies, inquired about their attendance at the funeral, and to share kind words about Peter. There continues to be no shortage of admiration for Peter O’Brien, even in an profession built on an adversarial system.

Peter is survived by his wife Debbie and two boys Liam and Connor with whom he was very close. My heart and sincere condolences go out to them.

The funeral arrangements have not been made public as yet but when they are I will let readers know. I expect that with the current restrictions, which while understandable are so cruel at such times, the funeral will be live streamed, particularly as Peter had so many friends and relatives internationally. 

I have been so impressed with the way everyone within LMI Group and in particular the LMI Legal team who to a person have stepped up so that no client has or will be disadvantaged or have a case delayed by Peter’s passing. I do want to acknowledge the help we have already received at such short notice from outside LMI to achieve this including Barristers Peter Mann and Tim Castle, and solicitor Mark Sheller. Your help is very much appreciated by me and the entire LMI team. 

Mr Peter Collins a lawyer who has specialised in insurance law for over 50 years and a long standing friend of many of us within LMI has joined the LMI Legal team as of today as a Director and Practice Manager to keep up the good work and ideals of Peter O’Brien and to ensure that no client is disadvantaged or justice delayed by Peter’s tragic passing. 

Please keep well and stay safe. We do not want to lose any more good people. 

Rest in Peace Pete. You will be deeply missed but never forgotten.


Dr. Allan Manning