Senate Resolution No. 5589

BY: Senator BRESLIN

COMMENDING Thomas J. O'Connor, Esq. for his five
decades of dedicated service to the Bar Association
of Rensselaer County on June 7, 2018

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those singular individuals who devote their purposeful
lives and careers to preserving the rights and protecting the welfare of
the citizens of their community and the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Thomas J. O'Connor, Esq. for his five decades of dedicated
service to the Bar Association of Rensselaer County to be celebrated at
its Annual Meeting and Dinner on Thursday, June 7, 2018, at Franklin
Terrace in Troy, New York; and

WHEREAS, There are certain outstanding citizens of New York State
who, through their selfless commitment and dedication, have served to
better the quality of life in their communities; and

WHEREAS, Thomas J. O'Connor was born to well-respected criminal
defense lawyer Thomas J. O'Connor Sr. and Mary (Riley) O'Connor in Troy,
New York, where he was a student at La Salle Institute; an exceptional
athlete, he was the star of both his basketball and golf teams, and
captured the New York State Elks Golf Championship and received the 1958
Catholic Youth Award; and

WHEREAS, Thomas J. O'Connor attended Fordham University on golf and
basketball scholarships, and in 1962, he earned his degree; as a college
student, he held the title of President of Fordham Club and was named to
the "Who's Who In American Colleges and Universities" list in his senior
year; and

WHEREAS, Thomas J. O'Connor then followed in his father's footsteps
by obtaining his law degree from Albany Law School of Union University
in 1968; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his notable law career, Thomas J. O'Connor has
distinguished himself in the representation of individuals,
corporations, and institutions in both civil and criminal matters; he
has participated in several celebrated civil and criminal trials,
including the "Attica cases"; and

WHEREAS, In addition to the defense of civil rights and medical
malpractice cases, Thomas J. O'Connor has handled significant insurance
coverage disputes, and practices in the area of labor relations; he
successfully negotiated contracts for a local hospital and has
represented professionals before governmental licensing bodies; and

WHEREAS, Dedicated to his profession, Thomas J. O'Connor served as
President of the Capital District Trial Lawyers Association, and is a
member of the American Bar Association, the New York State Bar
Association, the Albany County Bar Association, the Rensselaer County

Bar Association, the American Board of Trial Advocates, and the Defense
Research Institute of Northeastern New York; and

WHEREAS, Thomas J. O'Connor has also appeared at many legal and
professional seminars, including Federal Civil Litigation in New York
and "Medicine in the Courtroom"; and

WHEREAS, With quiet dignity, kindness and grace, this exceptional
public servant has served as a tireless advocate for the less fortunate,
a strong voice for the voiceless, and an inspiration to his colleagues,
to scores of volunteers, and to countless others who labor in pursuit of
equal access to justice for all; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his professional and
community service, a period of constructive involvement, Thomas J.
O'Connor has stood constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Thomas J. O'Connor, Esq. for his five decades of dedicated
service to the Bar Association of Rensselaer County on June 7, 2018; and
be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Thomas J. O'Connor, Esq.