SCHUMER INTRODUCES MAE D'AGOSTINO TO JUDICIARY COMMITTEE AT CONFIRMATION HEARING; WILL 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
Mae D'Agostino's Nomination Makes History: First Albany Woman to Serve on Federal Bench in Northern District, Will Be Only Female Federal Judge in Upstate NY
Schumer: D'Agostino Embodies Best Qualities of the Legal System and Will Be a Wise, Fair, and Moderate Judge
Yesterday, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer introduced Mae D'Agostino to the Senate Judiciary Committee for her confirmation hearing to serve as a judge in the Northern District federal court. Ms. D'Agostino is a history-making nominee, as she will become the first woman from Albany to serve as a federal judge in New York's Northern District. She will also be the only woman serving on the federal bench in all of Upstate New York. In opening remarks before the Committee, Schumer made the case for D'Agostino, and presented the many reasons that she would be an excellent fit for the job. Schumer pointed to D'Agostino's stellar legal background, close ties to the Capital Region, even-handedness, temperament and demonstrated leadership skills as the reasons he initially recommended D'Agostino for the Northern District Court. Now, Mae D'Agostino's nomination will go before the Senate for a full Senate vote.
"I am honored to have introduced Mae D'Agostino to the Judiciary Committee for her confirmation hearing," said Schumer. "For a long time, one of my goals has been 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. D'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.