Alumni in Action - Conor Logan O'Brien '01

Conor Logan O'Brien '01

Chicago, IL
 

Conor Logan O’Brien ’01 arrived at Saint Ignatius High School from Brecksville with deep Cleveland roots, strong family ties, and a personal connection to the Jesuit tradition. His uncle, Andrew Logan ’82, had experienced firsthand the care of the Jesuits during a family loss while at Ignatius and John Carroll. That spirit of generosity and care would come to shape Conor’s own Ignatius experience.

Although, the path wasn’t always paved and clear. As a student, Conor describes himself as a “cynic” in high school and college. Yet the relationships he formed with Jesuits and teachers at Ignatius gradually drew him back to his faith and grounded him in a deeper sense of purpose. He recalls the lasting impact of Fr. Larry Ober, S.J. and Fr. Ray Guiao, S.J. ‘82, as well as two friends who later entered the Society of Jesus - Fr. Matt Donovan, S.J., and Fr. Brad Easterbrooks, S.J. In an unexpected full-circle moment, Fr. Donovan now teaches at Saint Ignatius.

Deployment in Djibouti in 2013 with 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Conor’s most meaningful memory from Ignatius centers on the Jesuit influence that “kept him in touch with his faith,” especially as he grew into adulthood and confronted the fragility of life. A particularly moving image for him is a photograph of his own son being kissed by Pope Francis.

Several Ignatius educators left an ingrained mark on Conor:

• Mr. Tom Beach brought literature to life, making The Canterbury Tales exciting for teenage boys and modeling how to explain complex legal or military concepts with clarity and skill.
• Physics teacher, Mr. Jerry DeCarlo creatively blended science with Dante’s Inferno, pushing students to think across disciplines.
• Mr. Mike Howard Hon. ‘19 left a visual imprint on Conor through his historical drawings on the whiteboard. Conor recalls a detailed rendering of the Western Wall.

Even though he entered Ignatius uninterested in extracurriculars, Conor was very engaged in campus life with activities like Student Senate, Football, Wrestling, and Crew. He speaks especially fondly of Coach Chuck Kyle ‘69, who framed football not just as a sport but as a formation in maturity and character. Chico’s pregame talks connected athletic discipline to Christ-like leadership, reminding players, “You don’t need to be the guy in the Plain Dealer to make an impact on this team and program.”

Conor also admired assistant wrestling coach, Jonathan Vaughn ’93, whom he calls “the toughest guy I’ve ever met.” Vaughn became a professional model for Conor.

One of the most transformative experiences of Conor’s Ignatius years was his Junior Year Kairos Retreat. Although he and his brother Dan ’03 were not on the same retreat, Conor recalls how Kairos inspired him to write Dan a deeply meaningful letter with an invitation to grow closer at a time when both were facing challenges in their own lives. Conor still speaks of this as a pivotal moment in his life and faith.

After Ignatius, Conor followed the Jesuit path to Loyola University Chicago, where he studied and later worked in finance. He then attended University of Illinois College of Law, where Hon. Mike Donnelly ‘84  encouraged him to consider the Navy JAG Corps. Conor served 15 years as a Naval Officer, a period he describes as profoundly formative. His roles included: Deployment with the Marines, Professional Development Officer in Naples, Italy, Work at the Pentagon, and Assignment with Naval Special Warfare Command, collaborating with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.

USS KEARSARGE (LHD 3) returning to port where his department is "manning the rails" , a ceremony the Navy performs when returning to home port after a deployment.

Through his military service, Conor embraced a core conviction: “The most rewarding thing you can do is serve others. When you act with purpose in service of others, you can feel good about your life.”

Conor now leads a corporate business law firm based in Denver, with a second office he recently opened in Chicago. His practice focuses on general counsel work, transactional law, and supporting startups. Beyond his legal career, Conor remains deeply committed to service. Conor serves as a board member of Guest House Chicago - providing lodging for families of children receiving inpatient care and for veterans, mentor with MilMentor and American Corporate Partners (ACP), youth sports coach, and was recently named one of Chicago’s Top 25 Influential Veterans of 2025.

When asked to share advice for current Saint Ignatius students, Conor is candid about the challenges of high school: ego, pressure, discipline, and self-confidence. His message to students reflects an Ignatian mindset: “You can’t control everything. Ignatius gives you tools to see obstacles not as dead ends, but as invitations to grow, change course, or persevere. Step back, reassess, and learn from others. You won’t always be right the first time, and that’s okay.”

While his law firm is important, Conor sees it primarily as a means to support his family and serve his community. His deeper aspirations center on helping veterans transition to civilian life, supporting families, and serving “good people in need.” Conor is eager to reconnect with the Ignatius community and give back, embodying a spirit he learned at Saint Ignatius: to give, without counting the cost.