Meet Jackie
Born in Wheeling, West Virginia, Jackie Obara learned the value of hard work from a young age. An accomplished equestrian and violinist, she attended Catholic school during her formative years before attending Duquesne University where she was the first in her family to attend college. After graduating with a degree in chemistry, Jackie enrolled in an analytical chemistry PhD program, before a change of heart led her to law school.
While attending Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University, Jackie was a member of the Law Review and she earned the CALI Award for Excellence in Pennsylvania Civil Procedure and Trial Advocacy. As a law student, Jackie interned with the Honorable Judge Jeffrey Manning, who was so impressed by her intellect, work ethic, and temperament that he continued to mentor her over the next two decades of her career.
Upon graduating from law school, Jackie spent time in private practice before clerking for the Honorable Thomas Flaherty in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas from 2006 until 2024. During this time Jackie was appointed as a Discovery Master for the Court of Common Pleas Family Division, and more recently was appointed as a Divorce Hearing Officer where she presides over financial-related family law matters.
An active member of the Allegheny County Bar Association, Jackie is a member of the Family Law Section as well as the Women in the Law Division. She previously taught Tort Law at Westmoreland County Community College, and since 2013 has served as an Adjunct Faculty member of the Duquesne University Thomas R. Kline School of Law where she teaches Trial Advocacy. She has taught various Continuing Legal Education (CLE) courses over the years, including the Fundamentals of Family Law, Masters of the Court of Common Pleas, and Matrimonial Inns of Court.
Jackie and her husband David, an assistant Public Defender, are raising their three high-school age children in Elizabeth Township. Their oldest daughter, Emily, is currently a senior in high school and a stand-out on the golf team, their son, Joseph, is a junior in high school and is an active member of the crew team, and their youngest daughter, Julia, is a sophomore who excels in competitive swimming and cross country. Jackie and David recently celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary.
