MONTICELLO –– Sullivan County officially has a new person at the helm of the District Attorney’s office. Brian Conaty, 30, took the oath of office on Tuesday morning at the Lawrence H. Cooke Sullivan County Courthouse, becoming the acting district attorney. Administering the oath was a familiar face, newly-elected State Supreme Court Justice Hon. Meagan Galligan, whose place Conaty is taking.

Galligan has praised Conaty in the past, stating that he is a “talented and capable trial prosecutor with the insight and temperament to lead the County’s law enforcement community.”

In his remarks, Conaty thanked his parents Phil and Betsy, Galligan, NYS Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther who served as the master of ceremonies, the members of the DA’s office and their law enforcement partners.

Speaking of Galligan, Conaty talked about how they met through mutual friends when he was studying for his LSATs in 2013, how she helped tutor him and has been there if he needed anything. She also encouraged him to intern at the Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office, and let him know there was an opening in the office when he graduated from law school. Conaty was hired in 2018 and the two worked side-by-side for the past four years.

“Meagan, I cannot begin to describe how much I’ve learned from you,” said Conaty, “how proud I am that you’ve always placed confidence in me or how thankful I am, not only that you’ve been my mentor, but also my friend.”

Conaty, who had been recently named the Chief Assistant District Attorney, has served as lead prosecutor in connection with serious prosecutions involving guns, drugs, assaults, sex abuse and driving while intoxicated, during his time at the DA’s office. He’s also advocated before Sullivan County’s local criminal courts and County Court, as well as before the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department.

Conaty was a high honors graduate of Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center at Touro College, and has earned numerous accolades for “outstanding achievement and advocacy,” including in oral advocacy, evidence and other areas of practice. 

Conaty had previously told the Democrat that he intends to run for DA, which voters will make a decision on next November. 

Tuesday’s remarks

Conaty said he understands the “immense responsibility” placed on the district attorney’s office and that he doesn’t take it lightly.

“We are charged with the pursuit of justice. Yet oftentimes justice is complex,” said Conaty, adding that he was privileged to be guided under the tutelage of Galligan and Sullivan County Court Judge/former DA Hon. James Farrell. “They’re both brilliant jurists, accomplished litigators and exceptional people. I stand here today cognizant of the large shoes that I must fill. But thankfully, under their mentorship, they have guided me in the pursuit of justice.”

On the topic of justice, Conaty says he’s learned it isn’t only the vigorous prosecution of the most heinous crimes committed against our community, but that justice is also protecting and securing the rights of the accused. He said if that isn’t done, the integrity of the criminal justice system as a whole can only be diminished. 

“Justice is vindicating the allegations of victims by ushering them through the intricate criminal justice process, giving them their day in court and an opportunity to be heard. Justice sometimes requires hope, and not handcuffs,” said Conaty, noting that they also help those battling addiction to seek the treatment they need to re-emerge as productive members of the community.

Conaty also talked about the complexities in determinations of what is just in a particular case, and how it is  sometimes met with public ridicule and scorn. 

He noted that those who lambaste those determinations may be misguided on the facts of a particular case, how the law is to be applied to those facts or possibly have ulterior motives. He added that what remains paramount is that the DA’s office, in the pursuit of justice, must operate independently.

“For however long I have the privilege of serving this County, it is my pledge to you that I will seek the ends of justice no matter where they lead, that I will hold those to account all of who so deserve, that in doing so I will protect the rights of the accused,” said Conaty. “I will work tirelessly to vindicate the wrongs against victims, and that this office will operate independently, free from undue influence or pressure.”