Senate Resolution No. 121

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING O'Connor, O'Connor, Bresee & First upon
the occasion of its designation as a recipient of
the Pro Bono Award by The Legal Project on November
4, 2016

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those organizations within our midst which
have made significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and

WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of
certain extraordinary individuals and organizations it wishes to
recognize for their valued contributions to the success and progress of
society and publicly acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the
basic humanity among us all; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor O'Connor,
O'Connor, Bresee & First upon the occasion of its designation as
recipient of the Pro Bono Award by The Legal Project to be celebrated
with a Luncheon on Friday, November 4, 2016, at The Century House,
Latham, New York; and

WHEREAS, O'Connor, O'Connor, Bresee & First is a versatile law firm
based in Albany, New York, with practice areas that include medical
malpractice and insurance defense, bankruptcy, appeals and criminal
defense; and

WHEREAS, Michael O'Connor and his colleagues have given tirelessly
of their time to clients of The Legal Project with extensive bankruptcy
pro bono assistance; and

WHEREAS, A board certified commercial and consumer bankruptcy
specialist, Michael O'Connor is admitted to the New York State Bar, as
well as the United States District Court for the Southern, Eastern and
Northern Districts of New York, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals and
the United States Supreme Court; and

WHEREAS, Michael O'Connor's concentration of practice is in the
representation of debtors and trustees in bankruptcy liquidations and
reorganizations; he has been recognized numerous times for his service,
and lectures frequently on bankruptcy issues for the New York State Bar
Association, National Association of Chapter 13 Trustees, and other
regional and national bar associations; and

WHEREAS, This esteemed man is a Chapter 7 Trustee and was appointed
to the Chapter 7 Trustee Panel for the United States Bankruptcy Court
for the Northern District of New York in 1986; he is also a contributing
editor for the West Bankruptcy Exemption Manual (2003-present); and

WHEREAS, Active in his profession, Michael O'Connor is a member,
past president, and past director of the Capital Region Bankruptcy Bar
Association and numerous bar associations and committees; and

WHEREAS, Michael O'Connor brings an expertise and understanding of
the nuances of bankruptcy legal issues to The Legal Project,
particularly as they impact pro bono clients, which serves to help
clients even beyond the cases that he is able to take on; and

WHEREAS, Michael O'Connor and his team, Paralegal Staff Betsey
Enzien, Amanda Kurutz and Andrea Simmons and Associate Attorney Shannon
D. Frazier, have assisted 39 pro bono bankruptcy clients since 2014;
and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to giving back
to his community, Michael O'Connor volunteers once a month at a Legal
Clinic to provide legal advice, often taking on the cases pro bono; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an
individual for the benefit of others which Michael O'Connor has
displayed throughout his life; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals and organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are
brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by
all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor O'Connor, O'Connor, Bresee & First upon the occasion of its
designation as a recipient of the Pro Bono Award by The Legal Project on
November 4, 2016; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to O'Connor, O'Connor, Bresee & First.