By Judge Patrick O’Sullivan
(Madison County, NY – May 2015) The position of Madison County Judge, and the responsibility that comes with it, should not be taken lightly.
Our Judge must be compassionate, objective and experienced in all aspects of the law. And our Judge must be acutely aware that every case is far more than just a number, or names on legal documents – people’s lives are in our hands.
That is why I’m honored and humbled to be running this year for Madison County Judge.
I admire the work Judge Biagio DiStefano has done for Madison County for the past 18 years. I saw the challenges that individuals and families faced in his court– coming up against some of the most turbulent times in their lives.
I’m taking this campaign very seriously because the success of the office is vital to our community’s families.
The Madison County Court is a large and critical part of our judicial system, actually being comprised of three courts – County (criminal/civil) Court, Family Court and Surrogate’s Court.
I believe that my unique combination of experience makes me the best candidate for this position and has prepared me for the challenge ahead.
I have served as Judge in the Town of Nelson for 10 years, and in the Village of Cazenovia for the past four years. During this time, I’ve presided over criminal and civil trials, misdemeanors, violations, arraignment and preliminary jurisdiction over felonies, concurrent jurisdiction over Family Court matters, and much more. I have had to make those tough decisions on a daily basis that affect people’s lives.
In addition to my time as Judge, my experience also includes 22 years in private legal practice litigating cases in Federal, State, County, Family, Surrogate, City, Town and Village Courts throughout Upstate New York. I have spent my entire legal career in the courtroom. I am a member of the Million Dollar Advocates, where membership is limited to attorneys who have obtained verdicts in excess of a million dollars. Less than 1 percent of U.S. lawyers are members. I have also been recognized by my peers as one of the top trial attorneys in Upstate New York, as published in the 2013 New York Upstate Edition of Super Lawyers Magazine.
Early in my legal career, I also spent time prosecuting criminal cases in order to protect citizens. These challenging cases were particularly critical in shaping my approach on the bench years later when I was first elected as a Judge.
The law is always changing so a good attorney must never stop learning. That’s what has made my years as an Adjunct Professor at Syracuse University Law School and Morrisville State College so rewarding.
I believe that this unique combination of experience, from serving as a Judge to Trial Attorney – as plaintiff, prosecution, civil and criminal defense – to Educator has provided me with a truly fair and balanced perspective. This combination of perspective will well serve the people who come before the Madison County Court, if I am elected.
This community means the world to me. My wife of 26 years, Susan, and I have raised our three children, Jacqueline, Hannah and Jake, here because we truly love it. Madison County has been and always will be our home.
I’ve worked hard for the residents of our County for many years, as a Judge, trial attorney and educator. If elected as your next County Judge, I promise you that I will serve with the highest levels of compassion, honesty and integrity.