Fiery Courtroom Advocate Honored for Low-Key Charitable Work

NEW YORK, Oct. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the nation's most successful attorneys – known for his withering cross-examinations and dramatic summations – was honored Thursday night for his low-key charitable work.  Thomas A. Moore, a New York-based lawyer recognized nationally for his remarkable track-record in the courtroom on behalf of badly-injured victims, received the prestigious Gaelic Players Association's Heritage Award at a dinner at the Plaza Hotel attended by nearly 1000 people.

The Heritage Award, which also went to Credit Suisse investment banker Mike Brewster, recognized both men's tireless efforts to promote education, healthcare, and career counseling for amateur athletes.  A dozen world-class Irish athletes – hurling and Gaelic football champions – attended the event and mingled with the crowd.  And for those in the audience unfamiliar with these two sports, video monitors featured highlights that conveyed their extraordinary athleticism and drama.

In remarks made by Dessie Farrell, the GPA's chief executive officer, and himself a former footballer, it became clear why the education fund was so important: all of these remarkable athletes are true amateurs.  After competing before 80,000 fans, the hurlers and footballers all go back to their real jobs the next day.  Providing appropriate educational opportunities, career development guidance, and mental health resources enable the players to be important role models to young athletes in Ireland and United States.

"Tom Moore is one of the very best trial lawyers in the United States," said John Neary, the retired Executive Director of the prestigious law firm Weil, Gotshall & Manges, who introduced Moore. " His clients definitely believe he is the very best.  Tom has been named the National Law Journal's 'Lawyer of the Year' not once, but twice.  And he has been named to the 'Top Ten' list of attorneys in New York multiple times.  He is certainly the most successful advocate on behalf of individual plaintiffs.  He has won 90 trial verdicts, each in excess of $1 million and has negotiated settlements for his clients in excess of $1 billion."

In May, Moore won an extraordinary $172 million verdict against the City of New York for a botched 911-EMS call; the largest such victory in the history of New York.  And in the previous twelve months, he won two medical malpractice verdicts – one for $130 million and another for $120 – two of the three largest verdicts in state history.

Moore, who was born in Ireland and came to America with his widowed mother and siblings when he was 17, first studied to be a priest.  He graduated from Catholic University and then switched to law, receiving his JD from Fordham University School of Law.  "Based upon his success in the legal profession," said Neary, "he would probably be a Cardinal by now – it is the Church's loss."

Contact: Steve Cohen 212-267-4177  

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SOURCE Kramer Dillof Livingston & Moore