The Great Irish Fair presents this award in honor of the brilliant author, the chancellor and head of the English Judiciary, a great spiritual leader and moral force who was martyred for his Catholic faith. St. Thomas More is the patron saint of lawyers and is an inspiration to judges.

Kings County Family Court Judge Mary R. O’Donoghue is receiving the St. Thomas More Award.

She holds a juris doctorate from St. John’s University School of Law, Jamaica; a master of professional studies degree from Long Island University and a bachelor’s degree from Manhattanville College, Purchase, N.Y.

She began her legal career as an assistant district attorney and bureau chief of child abuse, domestic violence and juvenile crimes in the New York County District Attorney’s Office.

She served as executive assistant to the state director of criminal justice under then-New York Governor Mario Cuomo, 1991-94, and then as administrative assistant in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the eastern District of New York, 1995-2003.

In 2003, she was appointed an interim civil court judge by then-Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. She was later appointed to the criminal court of the City of New York, and then reappointed by Mayor Bloomberg to the Kings County Criminal Court.

Prior to her legal career, she worked at Ozanam Hall Nursing Home, Bayside.

Editor’s Note: Judge O’Donoghue’s photo was not available at press time.