The Honorable Peter J. O’Donoghue’s remarkable judicial career includes 27 years spent as a Justice of the Supreme Court in Queens County, 15 of which were in the Medical Malpractice Part wherein he arbitrated and/or mediated more than 1,000 medical malpractice cases. From 2008 until his retirement, all dental and medical malpractice filings in the Queens County courthouse were assigned exclusively to him. While on the bench, Judge O’Donoghue conferenced, negotiated, mediated, and settled more than 300 medical malpractice matters each year. Further, he has successfully mediated more than 150 nursing home cases, the majority of which were resolved. Judge O’Donoghue has developed a reputation as a just and knowledgeable resource and applies his extensive experience when hearing cases as a NAM Hearing Officer, including personal injury matters such as medical malpractice cases.

Judge O’Donoghue’s legal career began as a law intern to staff attorneys at the Queens Legal Aid Society. Shortly thereafter, he became a law assistant for the Criminal Court, Bronx County. In 1982, Judge O’Donoghue acted as the Principal Law Clerk to the Honorable John J. Clabby of the Queens County Supreme Court, Criminal Term, a position that he held for thirteen years. While he was a Law Clerk during the day, Judge O’Donoghue also served as a Small Claims Court arbitrator at night, arbitrating more than 200 cases over a 3-year period. In 1996, he was elected to the bench as a New York City Civil Court Judge. Thereafter, in 2001, Judge O’Donoghue served as the Acting Supreme Court Justice and was elected in 2002 to the Supreme Court, Civil Part, Eleventh Judicial District, where he served in the IAS (Individual Assignment System), presiding over general liability, guardianship 3, labor law, and personal injury matters, until he was assigned to the Medical Malpractice Part. Judge O’Donoghue carefully evaluates the issues concerning both defense and plaintiffs to ensure he has a thorough understanding of the varied nuances of each case, showing compassion while impartially evaluating the matter to resolution. He works hard to resolve these matters as expeditiously as possible, and is considered to be brilliant, unbiased, and flexible. Judge O’Donoghue has a reputation as a tough but fair jurist who is adept at settling cases. Practicing attorneys that have appeared before him have commented:

− “Judge O’Donoghue has an excellent judicial demeanor. He’s even-tempered and reasonable.”
− “He tries really hard to fully understand his cases and works hard to resolve them whenever possible.”
− “It’s a pleasure to appear in his courtroom. It’s a relaxed place and he’s very flexible.”

Judge O’Donoghue served as Co-Chairman of the Queens Task Force for the Disabled, President and Past Treasurer of the Flushing Lawyers Club, President and Past Secretary of the St. Patrick’s Society, Parish Councilman, Chairman of the Finance Committee and Majority Leader of Sacred Heart Parish, and a Board Member of the Queens Independent Living Center. He also served as a Board Member of the American Red Cross and was a Chairman and Grievance Committee Member of the American Principle’s Committee of the Queens County Bar Association.

Judge O’Donoghue is available to arbitrate and mediate cases throughout the New York City Metro area.