Brooks Pierce partner Claire O’Brien was named to the Triad Business Journal’s 2026 class of 40 Under 40 award winners. The group represents an array of industries including real estate, banking, law, health care, technology, manufacturing, philanthropy and higher education. Honorees were selected from a competitive group of nominees.
Triad Business Journal will celebrate the award winners on the evening of Feb. 24, 2026, at First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro.
O'Brien advises companies and individuals in the health care, medical device and pharmaceutical industries on a myriad of regulatory compliance issues. She counsels clients on various health care issues, including compliance with federal and state regulations and the day-to-day operations of health care facilities. She has significant experience advising on regulatory compliance across a range of industries, including counseling companies and individuals on interactions with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and guidance regarding compliance with the Stark Law, the Anti-Kickback Statute and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
O’Brien’s work includes conducting and advising health care companies and professionals on fast-paced and sensitive internal investigations, counseling on employment issues including physician employment contracts, advising on board governance issues, and completing due diligence related to corporate transactions involving health care, medical device, and pharmaceutical entities. She also helps clients navigate various regulatory issues involving the North Carolina Medical Board, North Carolina Board of Nursing, and the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners, and litigates matters related to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). Having formerly practiced with a large international law firm in Washington, D.C., O’Brien has experience preparing public comments and petitions related to complex federal regulatory agency rulemakings and guidance documents. She also frequently publishes and speaks on matters related to the health care industry.
The full list of winners can be accessed here.