Title: Attorney At Law
Location: Niskayuna, New York, United States
Henry A. Fernandez, Esq., attorney at law, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Lawyers for dedication, achievements, and leadership in legal services.
With over four and a half decades of experience, Mr. Fernandez has built a distinguished career in legal services, specializing in civil rights and employment law. His experience includes serving as associate commissioner at the Office of Mental Health from 2009 to 2016, consulting and practicing law with KPMG US in 1999, roles as labor counsel at the Office of Mental Health and with Williamsburg Legal Services, village justice in Cooperstown, president and chief executive officer of the Farmers Museum, and president and chief executive officer of the New York State Historical Association. Additionally, his military service includes time with the National Guard Unit 74th Infantry and the Army Reserve. He laid a solid educational foundation by earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Saint John’s University in 1971 and a Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School in 1977, and he is admitted to the New York State Bar. Additionally, he has contributed to the House of Delegates at the New York State Bar Association from 2009 to 2016, served as president and chief executive director of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration from 1993 to 1998, and worked with the Council of State Governments in Lexington, Kentucky from 1991 to 1994.
Reflecting on his path, Mr. Fernandez’s expertise in civil rights and employment law was shaped by a diverse professional background and formative experiences that started while in law school, when he managed an alternative education program for veterans in Harlem, supporting their pursuit of high school diplomas and college preparation, which reinforced his commitment to community service. His legal career began with a focus on civil rights through a fellowship at the Puerto Rican Legal Defense Fund, where he worked on federal class action litigation, deepening his dedication to advocacy. At the New York Office of Mental Health, he addressed significant employee relations issues and proactively improved practices across 33 psychiatric hospitals as assistant counsel for labor relations. His appointment as deputy commissioner for the Office of the Professions by the Board of Regents marked a significant career milestone. In this role, he reformed licensing for various professions, aiming to reduce barriers and enhance quality. While in law school, he successfully proposed and ran an educational program in Harlem that supported working individuals in their 30s and 40s, creating opportunities for academic and professional advancement.
In light of his impressive undertakings, Mr. Fernandez has received numerous accolades, including the Innovation Award from Harvard University and the Ford Foundation in 1992, a Presidential Citation from the New York State and American Institute of Architects in 1991, and the Hispanic Leadership Fellowship from 1990 to 1991. He was also elected a fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine in 1990 and is a fellow of the New York Bar Foundation. At 78, he remains active in volunteer work, conducting four to 10 state hearings per month to support individuals requiring services, which he finds deeply fulfilling. In addition to his professional and volunteer efforts, he treasures time with his family, who bring him immense pride and happiness.
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