Brian P. Conaty is a lifelong resident of the Village of Monticello and the youngest son of Phil Conaty and Betsy Johnson Conaty. He attended the Monticello Central School District until eighth grade, after which he transferred to and graduated from Burke Catholic High School. Brian went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Management from West Virginia University, with minors in Business Administration, Communication Studies, and Personal Training.
After completing his undergraduate studies, Brian began his career in public service as a summer intern at the Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office under District Attorney James Farrell. Inspired by this experience, he pursued his Juris Doctor at Touro Law Center, where he served on the Touro Law Review and earned multiple CALI Awards for Excellence in Oral Advocacy, Evidence Law, Secured Transactions, Real Estate Transactions, and Business Organizations. He also completed an externship with New York State Supreme Court Justice Mark D. Cohen and a clinical internship with Touro’s Low Income Taxpayer Clinic. In 2017, Brian graduated magna cum laude and ranked in the top 5% of his class.
Following law school, Brian returned home to Sullivan County to serve as an Assistant District Attorney under DA James Farrell. He was quickly promoted to lead prosecutor for the Family Violence Response Team, which streamlines the prosecution of child sexual abuse cases through the Child Advocacy Center—bringing together state police, Child Protective Services, and medical professionals to prevent re-traumatization of victims. Brian also served as lead prosecutor for the Sullivan County Youth Part, responsible for prosecuting adolescent and juvenile offenders charged with serious felony offenses, as well as the Prison Task Force, Welfare Fraud Task Force, Drug Court, and DWI Court.
On January 3, 2023, Brian P. Conaty was sworn in as Acting District Attorney of Sullivan County. Since taking office, his top priorities have been strengthening public safety, combating the opioid epidemic, and modernizing the District Attorney’s Office.
Under Brian’s leadership as the District Attorney, the office has been updated and strengthened through critical funding from the County Legislature to help attract experienced skilled attorneys and investigators locally and regionally. He has also established an infrastructure to improve responsiveness to victims of crime, including the creation of a Crime Victim Specialist Program. Recognizing the growing role of technology in law enforcement, Brian secured funding to create Cyber Crimes Investigative Unit, enhancing digital efficiency and improving case outcomes.
Understanding the challenges facing Sullivan County, Brian has made the fight against the opioid epidemic a cornerstone of his administration. Through federal COSSAP grant funding, he established the Quick Response Team (QRT) Agency, which provides a coordinated countywide response to overdose-related E911 calls.
The District Attorney’s Office under Brian’s leadership works closely with all local police agencies to enhance public safety and ensure the fair delivery of justice. His vision is to build an office “where purpose meets opportunity”—a destination for talented attorneys and investigators from across the state who value professional growth, teamwork, and meaningful public service.
With deep experience, sound judgment, and a steadfast commitment to justice, Brian offers the leadership needed to guide his dedicated team in achieving the mission of the District Attorney’s Office. He ensures that his prosecutors are well-versed in evolving criminal justice reforms, including bail, discovery, and raise-the-age legislation. Above all, Brian recognizes that an efficient, knowledgeable, and transparent District Attorney’s Office is essential to maintaining public trust, safety, and confidence in the justice system.
Every day, Brian leads with a commitment to service — focused on public safety and justice for the residents of Sullivan County, and the preservation of public trust.
