Michael C. Finnegan

Michael Finnegan
Counsel to the Governor of New York
In office 1995–1997
Personal details
Born	1955 Peekskill, New York
Political party	Republican
Children	3
Residence	Garrison, New York
Occupation	Director of Investment Banking JPMorgan Chase

Michael C. Finnegan (born 1955 in Peekskill, New York) is the managing director of investment banking for JPMorgan Chase. Finnegan is best known as the architect of former Governor George Pataki's ascendancy to power from Mayor of Peekskill to Governor of New York. Finnegan and Pataki became friends while practicing law in Peekskill and Finnegan would go on to manage Pataki's campaigns for Mayor, State Assembly, State Senate, and the Governorship. Finnegan was then appointed Chief Counsel to the Governor in 1995.

He left the Governor's office in 1997 to begin his career with JPMorgan. He previously taught at his alma mater, Siena College, and was awarded the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 1997. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Irish-American Republicans. In 2008, he was mentioned as a possible strong challenger to freshman Congressman John Hall in New York's 19th congressional district. Finnegan is considered an expert in Irish politics, history and tradition and lives in Garrison, New York with his wife and their three children.

Finnegan graduated from Siena College in 1978. He spent a year studying at Ohio University School of Law, until the death of his father caused him to return home in order to support his family. He took a position working in the communication office of James L. Emery, the minority leader of the State Assembly and later worked for Westchester County Executive Andrew P. O'Rourke while attending law school at night at the Pace University School of Law, where he received his Juris Doctor. During his time in Peekskill politics, he became close friends with George Pataki, although Finnegan and Pataki were acquaintances since he was a boy. Finnegan then went to work at Plunkett and Jaffe, P.C., where future Governor Pataki was also a partner.

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