Honor Law Firm's Pro Bono

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