LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Colonel Paul J. Sweeney upon the occa-
sion of his retirement from the United States Marine Corps after 29
years of distinguished and honorable service

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body seeks to honor and acknowledge those
individuals whose professional lives, military service and civic endeav-
ors serve to enhance the stature of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, For the past 29 years, Colonel Paul J. Sweeney has rendered
faithful, conscientious and valuable military service to the United
States Marine Corps and the Nation; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Colonel Paul
J. Sweeney upon the occasion of his retirement from the United States
Marine Corps after 29 years of distinguished and honorable service; he
officially retired on July 1, 2013; and
WHEREAS, Graduating with a B.A. degree from Fordham University in
1984, Colonel Sweeney received his J.D. degree from Brooklyn Law School
in 1987; and
WHEREAS, Colonel Sweeney joined Coughlin & Gerhart, L.L.P. in 1992,
following active duty as a Marine Corps judge advocate; he is a partner
in the firm and a member of the firm's management committee; he also
co-chairs the firm's labor and employment law practice group; and
WHEREAS, Colonel Sweeney concentrates in labor and employment law and
commercial litigation; he defends employers against liability, discrimi-
nation and disability claims and represents employers in contract nego-
tiations, arbitration, discipline and other administrative proceedings;
in addition, he represents clients in complex contract, construction and
real estate disputes; and
WHEREAS, Colonel Sweeney is a member of the American, New York State,
Broome County and Federal Court Bar Associations; he serves on the exec-
utive committee of the New York State Bar Association's labor and
employment law section and is a trustee of the Northern District of New
York - Federal Court Bar Association; and
WHEREAS, Colonel Sweeney has been selected for inclusion in the BEST
LAWYERS IN AMERICA since 2012 and the Upstate Edition of NEW YORK SUPER
LAWYERS since 2011; he is a bagpiper with the Broome County Celtic Pipes
& Drums; and
WHEREAS, With more than 29 years of active duty and reserve service,
Colonel Sweeney served on active duty as a criminal defense attorney and
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney prior to joining the firm; as a reser-
vist, he deployed to Fallujah, Iraq, with the I Marine Expeditionary
Force; and
WHEREAS, In his last reserve billet, Colonel Sweeney was assigned to
the Office of Counsel for the Commandant and served as the officer-in-
charge of the Marine Reserve lawyers who supported the Commandant, the
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the DoD Office of General
Counsel; and
WHEREAS, Colonel Sweeney's personal awards include the Legion of
Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and he received two of the
Meritorious Service Medals; and
WHEREAS, In all his official acts, Colonel Sweeney has been governed
by a sense of loyalty, duty and honor, that allowed him to be a natural
leader; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Sheila, who feels
privileged to be a part of his life and rejoices in his achievements;
and

WHEREAS, Throughout his extraordinary and outstanding military career,
Colonel Paul J. Sweeney has earned the admiration, esteem and affection
of his friends, family and colleagues; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Colonel Paul J. Sweeney upon the occasion of his retirement from
the United States Marine Corps after 29 years of distinguished and
honorable service to the United States Marine Corps and the Nation; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Colonel Paul J. Sweeney.