Kirk Obear

Kirk Obear launched his career in 1986 by enlisting in the U.S. Air Force as a Combat Cameraman. While assigned to the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing, he earned a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Mount Olive College, graduating summa cum laude with a 4.0 GPA. He was honored with the John Levitow Award upon completing Non-Commissioned Officer school. During Operation Desert Storm, Sergeant Obear deployed to Saudi Arabia with the Joint Forces Combat Camera Team, processing vital reconnaissance imagery and bomb damage assessments. His wartime service earned him several commendations, including the Air Force Commendation Medal and Outstanding Unit Award with Valor, as well as expert marksmanship honors.

Following his active duty deployment, Obear transitioned to the Air Force Reserves and obtained his law degree from the University of Buffalo. He received a commission as a First Lieutenant in the USAF JAG Corps and was posted to Scott Air Force Base, where he quickly rose to Chief of Military Justice. Additionally, he was appointed Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, prosecuting civilian offenses on military installations.

In 1997, Obear shifted his focus to defense work as Area Defense Counsel at Peterson Air Force Base. During this tenure, he achieved a near-60% acquittal rate—the highest across the Air Force JAG Department—and was awarded the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal in 1999. He eventually left military service to enter private practice in Wisconsin, joining prominent defense attorneys Barry S. Cohen and Dennis Melowski. Over nine years with Melowski, Obear & Cohen, he established a distinguished record in OWI/DUI defense.

Obear established his own practice in 2008, which evolved into Kirk Obear and Associates. Today, his firm represents clients throughout Wisconsin, maintaining an aggressive commitment to protecting constitutional rights, challenging prosecutorial overreach, and defending individuals accused of criminal offenses.