Public Employee Press

Friends pay tribute to retiring General Counsel O'Connell

After 25 years of serving the members of DC 37, General Counsel Mary J. O'Connell has retired from her post as director of the union's Legal Dept.

"She is a real friend and a good lawyer. Our members benefited tremendously from her work," said Associate Director Henry Garrido.

O'Connell was appointed General Counsel in 2008 after working for a decade as Senior Assistant General Counsel and four years as Associate General Counsel.

She oversaw the union's legal staff and worked personally on important cases that resulted in legal victories that protect and maintain benefits for New York City's unionized civil service employees.

At her farewell celebration at union headquarters attended by family, friends and co-workers including former DC 37 General Counsel Joel Giller, former chief negotiator Dennis Sullivan, local presidents and staff, Local 1322 President Jim Tucciarelli spoke for many when he said, "Mary is a friend, an attorney and a confidant who never lost sight of what matters most, the members."

"You beat us on too many cases, so it's good to see you go," joked city Labor Relations Commissioner James Hanley. "Mary has always been a class act."

"I was given a great gift," O'Connell said, "to earn a living doing good in the world."