NOVEMBER MEETING IS 11/26/24 7pm at The Crew Restaurant in T/Poughkeepsie
Irishman of the Year
Joseph E. O’Connor Esq.
Attorney O'Conner has been practicing law for over twenty years and is currently a managing partner of the firm. Joe is a lifelong resident of the Hudson Valley and relies on his connections to the community to best serve his clients. He graduated from Brown University in 1993 and played both division one football and golf for the Brown Bears. He graduated from St. John’s University, School of Law in 1996. Over the next twenty years, Mr. O’Connor has prosecuted many of the highest profile cases in the Hudson Valley and has obtained numerous multi-million dollar and million-dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of injured victims. Mr. O’Connor dedicates a majority of his time in the representation of seriously and catastrophically injured individuals injured by construction, motor vehicle, motorcycle, and bicycle accidents, as well as defective products. For Mr. O’Connor the practice of personal injury law it is not just a job but his passion.
Joseph is admitted to practice law in the State of New York, U.S. District Court Northern District of New York, U.S. District Court Southern District of New York, U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York and U.S. District Court Northern New Jersey.
Joseph is a regular contributor to the Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America’s LogBook. He has published multiple articles on commercial vehicle litigation including busing and tractor-trailer involved accidents. Mr. O’Connor has also lectured at various Trial Lawyer Association events concerning complex litigation issues and frequently address both motorcycle/bicycle/pedestrian associations to discuss to safety, and litigation related advice. Mr. O’Connor is continuously named as one of the top 25 lawyers in the Hudson Valley and Upstate New York by Super Lawyers ® 2015 through 2018, carries a Martindale-Hubbell A.V. Preeminent rating as well as a perfect 10 rating with AVVO. Many of Mr. O’Connor cases have been featured on television on the Today Show and Anderson 360. The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and the New York Journal have all featured cases he has litigated.
Lastly, he is a member of Capital Region New York State Trial Lawyers Association, The American Association of Justice, New York State Bar Association, The New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers, The American Bar Association, Orange County Bar Association, Dutchess County Bar Association, and the Ulster County Bar Association. Joseph is a lecturer for the National Trial Lawyers Association.
Irish Police Officer of the Year
Sgt. John Hank
Sgt. Hank is a Charter Member of the Police Emerald Society of the Hudson Valley and currently serves as the Orange County Vice President.
Also, John serves as the PESHV representative on the Grand Council of United Emerald Societies.
In addition, he also serves as a Bass Drummer for the Hudson Valley Regional Police Pipes and Drums.
In May of 2017 Officer John Hank and Chief Butch Amthor from the Town of Montgomery Police Department attempted to arrest an individual that was wanted on domestic violence charges.
The suspect who was held up in his second story apartment began firing at the officers. One round struck in the shoulder of Police Chief Amthor.
Fearing for his life and the lives of his fellow officers, Officer John Hank fired one round ending the threat. Area SWAT teams later extracted the officers and cleared the suspects residence.
The quick thinking and actions of John Hank saved the lives of himself, his fellow officers and all the neighbors residing in the area.
He brought closure to an extremely hostile situation. John’s actions brought credit to himself, the Town of Montgomery Police Department, The Police Emerald Society of the Hudson Valley and the Law Enforcement Community.
