Donald T. Kiley, Sr., Founder -  It is with sadness that we report the death of our founder and father, Don Kiley, Sr. who passed away in his 90th year on September 10, 2018. He is survived by his wife, Catherine, his five children Don, Kevin, Jack, Cathy McGuire, and Jim, four daughters-in-law, Maria, Nancy, Jeannie and Nancy, son-in-law James McGuire, and sixteen grandchildren, Meghan, Jack, Jr., Kevin, Jr., Danny, Mike, Maureen, Ally, Maggie, Darcy, Victoria, Madeline, Drew, Julia, Emily, Matthew and Claire.
Dad was born in the Woodlawn section of the Bronx. He was the son of the former Elizabeth Cantwell and Edward A. Kiley. His father was a New York City Police Officer who rose through the ranks to become a Deputy Inspector and his mother was a homemaker. He attended Georgetown Prep in Maryland for three years, finished High School at Fordham Prep and then went on to Fordham College, graduating in 1950.
Dad fought in the Korean War. Enlightened by the experience, he returned home and attended Fordham Law School from which he graduated in 1955 as Valedictorian and Editor of the Law Review. In earning his third Fordham degree, he became a "Golden Ram."
Before founding Kiley, Kiley & Kiley, PLLC, Dad had a varied law career. Upon graduation, he practiced corporate law with the prestigious New York firm of Cahill, Gordon, Reindel & Ohl. He was a member of the team that defended the landmark antitrust case involving the Sherman Anti-Trust Act, United States v. Standard Oil Co., 23 F.R.D. 1 (S.D.N.Y. 1958). He was awarded a Post-Graduate Kent Fellowship and studied Non Corporeal Damages at Columbia University Law School. He subsequently practiced plaintiff personal injury and criminal defense law in the Bronx. In that capacity, he won the right to raise the mandatory retirement age for New York City Police Officers from sixty-three to sixty-five to coincide with their right to obtain social security benefits. Kiley v. Kennedy, 16 Misc. 2d 969, 971, 190 N.Y.S.2d 53, 56 (Sup. Ct. 1958).
He was a member of the faculty of Duquesne Law School where he taught Jurisprudence and Evidence and founded the Duquesne Law Review. He also worked for the United Brotherhood of Carpenters - Local Union 608.
In 1974, Dad became a sole practitioner and opened an office on Bell Blvd. in Bayside and cultivated a diverse law practice. He enjoyed the variety of a general practice and loved the luxury of working five minutes from home. He was most fully-vested in his favorite occupations as husband, father and grandfather. He faithfully attended his children's and grandchildren's sporting events (rarely missing any opportunity to cheer for them or gently critique a referee or umpire!) and was actively involved in his community and church, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament. He retired in 2001, leaving his practice in the hands of his sons, Don, Jr., Kevin and Jim.
Dad was a staunch supporter of Catholic Education. As a member of the New York City District 26 School Board in the early 1970s, he lobbied for the rights of parochial school students to gain access to basic support services. Later, he was the Vice President of the Interfaith Council for District 26 from 1973 to 1976. He served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Holy Cross H.S. from 1979 to 1982 and was appointed by Bishop Thomas V. Daly to sit on the Pastoral Council for the Diocese of Brooklyn from 1979 - 1982.
In his home parish, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, he volunteered in many capacities and served terms as President of the Holy Name Society, President of the CYO and as a member of the O.L.B.S. Pastoral Council.
As a practicing attorney, he was an astute litigator who easily mastered complex issues and multiple legal disciplines. He was a passionate advocate for the rights of the under represented and for his church and community, frequently handling cases pro bono. Much to his pride, his five children followed in his footsteps and became attorneys. Even in his retirement, he loved to discuss the cases they handled and gave wise and intuitive counsel.
His legacy will live on in each of us.
ISLN: 910533667
Practice Areas: Personal Injury; Automobile Accidents and Injuries; Construction Accidents; Medical Malpractice; Wrongful Death; Slip and Fall; Wills; Trusts and Estates; Business Law; Real Estate
Admitted: 1956, New York and U.S. District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts
School: Fordham University, LL.B.
Memberships: Queens County Bar Association; New York State Trial Lawyers Association.
Born: Bronx, New York, December 5, 1928
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