Senator Charles E. Schumer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 23, 2010

SCHUMER RECOMMENDS MAE D'AGOSTINO TO SERVE ON NORTHERN DISTRICT COURT, IF CONFIRMED WOULD BE FIRST-EVER ALBANY WOMAN TO SERVE ON FEDERAL BENCH IN NORTHERN DISTRICT

D'Agostino Has Had Very Respected and Successful Legal Career in Private Sector While Serving Capital Region Community; D'Agostino Started Own Law Firm, Served as Pro-Bono Lawyer for Disabled, Taught at Albany Law School

Schumer: D'Agostino Embodies Best Qualities of the Legal System and Will Be Fair, Moderate Judge

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that he is recommending Mae D’Agostino to President Obama to serve as a judge in the Northern District federal court. Ms. D’Agostino is a history-making pick, as she would become the first woman from Albany to serve as a federal judge in New York’s Northern District. Also, if confirmed, she would be the only woman serving on the federal bench in all of Upstate New York. Schumer laid out several reasons D’Agostino would make an excellent fit for the job. Schumer said that D’Agostino’s stellar legal background, close ties to the Capital Region, even-handedness, temperament and demonstrated leadership skills would make her an excellent choice for the Northern District Court. Schumer also said that she is highly capable and very qualified for the position.

“I am honored to be able to recommend Mae D’Agostino to President Obama. One of my goals was to bring a female to the federal bench in Upstate new York, and Mae would not only do that, but she is simply one of the finest judicial candidates I have ever met. She has built a distinguished legal career and a very successful practice, but her sense of public service and love of the law has motivated her to bring her talents to the bench.”

D’Agostino is a graduate of Siena College and Syracuse University College of Law. As a young lawyer, Ms. Agostino worked for the firm of Maynard O’Connor and Smith, where she was responsible for handling complex civil litigation and a great deal of the firm’s appellate work. There she gained extensive experience in both the state and federal justice systems.

After nearly two decades at Maynard, O’Connor and Smith, Ms. D’Agostino formed her own law firm, D’Agostino, Krackeler, Baynes and Maguire, where she earned a reputation as one of the country’s top civil attorneys. Since 1999, Ms. D’Agostino has been listed in the “Best Lawyers in America,” publication, which is one of the most respected publications in the legal profession. She has been consistently recognized by her colleagues as a leader in the legal field having been inducted into the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers and selected as the President of the Albany County Bar Association.

D’Agostino is not only a respected legal practitioner; she is also an active member of the Capital Region community. She has dedicated a tremendous amount of time from her practice to serve residents as a pro bono lawyer, working with disabled residents who are struggling to receive Social Security benefits. Additionally, Ms. D’Agostino has taught classes at Albany Law School and served on the Board of Trustees of Siena College.

###

Resource Center