Honorable Judge Leo F. McGinity
The Friends of Mercy Medical Center are pleased to give the Bishop John R. McGann Lifetime Achievement Award to Honorable Judge Leo F. McGinity. His membership and involvement with the Friends spans over six decades beginning with his participation in the Mercy Ball Honor Guard in 1943. Born at Mercy Hospital along with his five siblings, Mr. McGinity grew up in Garden City and attended St. Francis Xavier High School. Upon graduation he attended Georgetown University and later received his Juris Doctorate from New York Law School. He began his prestigious law career after he was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1954. He was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court in 1960 and also before the US Second Circuit Court of Appeals in 1966.
He also had political aspirations and was appointed to the office of Councilman for the Town of Hempstead in 1969, and was re-elected in 1973.
Judge McGinity was appointed Judge of the Nassau County Court in 1976 where he served until elected to State Supreme Court in Nassau County in 1981. While a judge on the Supreme Court, Judge McGinity served first as Supervising Judge of the Criminal Courts and then as Administrative Judge for all of Nassau County. In 1996 he was appointed to the Appellate Division, Second Department where he served until his retirement in 2003. Upon his retirement from serving on the bench, Judge McGinity resumed practicing law and formed McGinity & McGinity, PC in Garden City where he continues to practice.
Following his father and uncle – Leo McGinity and Eugene Hurley’s footsteps, Judge McGinity believed in giving back to his community via his involvement with the Friends of Mercy. His father and uncle were original members of the Friends, and served along with Judge Thomas Cuff the founder of the Friends of Mercy Medical Center. When his uncle retired from the organization, Judge McGinity took on additional responsibilities in the organization and served as chairman of the St. Patrick’s Dinner.
Public service has been a hallmark of Judge McGinity’s life as evident in his participation in several local organizations including the Knights of Columbus (Past Grand Knight 1968); the Ancient Order of Hibernians; the Catholic Lawyers Guild; and was 1st President of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick’s LI Chapter. The judge is a member at St. Christopher’s in Baldwin and serves on the Parish Council.
Though he is proud of his career and accomplishments, Justice McGinity is most proud of being a loving husband to his wife Mary and father to their six children- all born at Mercy Medical Center! Judge McGinity is also a proud grandfather to 17 grandchildren.