“Angel In Adoption”

Frederick J. Magovern The Congressional Coalition on Adoption, Inc., recently named Garden City resident Frederick J. Magovern a 2009 Angel in Adoption for his 36 years of adoption advocacy. The ceremonies were held in Washington, DC on September 30, 2009.

The Angels in Adoption(tm) award is bestowed annually upon individuals who have made an extraordinary contribution on behalf of children in need of adoptive homes. This is the largest Congressional event pertaining to child welfare in the nation. Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy nominated Mr. Magovern in recognition of his legal career devoted to representing adoptive parents and childcare agencies.

Throughout his years of practice Mr. Magovern has won several landmark cases that have shaped adoption law in New York State resulting in early permanent placement of infants for adoption. Mr. Magovern’s law firm, Magovern & Sclafani, represent the Catholic Guardian Society and Home Bureau, St. Vincent’s Services, Episcopal Social Services, Family Focus Adoption Services, and the Abbott House.

In addition to the Congressional award, Mr. Magovern was honored by Family Focus Adoption Services as Child Advocate of the Year at their 22nd Annual Dinner held October 18, 2009.

The NY Times named him a Super Lawyer in 2007 and 2009. He is a founding member of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys and serves on the adoption committees of the Bar Association of Nassau County, the NYS Bar Association and American Bar Association. The Martindale-Hubbell’s Peer Review Board has awarded him its highest rating in legal ability and ethical standards. He served on the Mayor’s Public Child Fatality Review Committee (1986-87) and Board of the NYS Task Force on Permanency Planning for Foster Children (1992-93).

He is the son of the late Dr. John J. Magovern, Director of Radiology at Mercy Hospital in Rockville Centre, NY. A graduate of Manhattan College and Fordham Law School, he and his wife Susan live in Garden City with their two sons where they are lifelong members of St. Joseph’s Parish.