Joseph Meany is a lifelong resident of Albany County and has worked for the NYS Unified Court System since 2020, having previously served as an assistant public defender and deputy alternate public defender in Albany County. He is an experienced criminal defense attorney and former judge’s law clerk.

Meany graduated from Albany High School in 1994, cum laude from UMASS Amherst in 1999, and Albany Law School in 2006. He previously worked in the District Attorney’s office from 2004 to 2007 as a law clerk and an Assistant District Attorney.

Jessica Blain-Lewis has served as Bureau Chief of the Homicide and Violent Crimes Unit since July 2022. She has been at the DA’s office since 2005, and has successfully prosecuted felony drug cases and major offense crimes.

In 2011, she began handling white-collar crimes, specializing in financial elder abuse as the Albany County Seniors and Law Enforcement Together (SALT) prosecutor.

In 2016, Blain-Lewis became the Bureau Chief of the Street Crimes Unit, supervising and handling the prosecution of cases involving illegal narcotics and weapons possession.

She earned a Bachelors of Arts degree in Speech Communication from Plattsburgh State University in 2002 before attending Albany Law School, where she received her Juris Doctorate in 2005.

Jennifer Aguila brings extensive experience in public service and community engagement to the DA’s office.

Previously, she served with Indigent Legal Services for nine years, working collaboratively with county governments and legal service providers to ensure individuals entitled to legal counsel — but unable to afford it — received effective representation.

Aguila also worked with the District Attorney’s Office as a Community Prosecution Coordinator, spearheading initiatives supporting inner-city youth, reentry programs, restorative justice, and crime prevention.

Jennifer holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from SUNY Empire State and an Associate’s degree in Paralegal Studies.

As Chief of Staff, Aguila will play a key role in driving the strategic vision of the District Attorney’s Office, supporting its mission to enhance public safety, building trust within the community, empowering underserved communities, and ensuring justice is served with integrity and fairness.

Adam Hornick spent 26 years with the Bethlehem Police Department, rising through the ranks first as Telecommunicator to Officer, Detective, Sergeant and, finally, Commander. He retired in 2022 after spending seven years as a Commander, having overseen the patrol, detectives and administrative services divisions.

In addition to being a state-certified fire investigator and FBI-certified crisis negotiator, Hornick taught criminal justice classes at Columbia-Greene Community College and SUNY Delhi and was a member of the Zone 5 Law Enforcement Academy Advisory Board, having taught police recruits and supervisors for more than 18 years.

Hornick earned his Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice in 2001 from the University at Albany and his Master's Degree in Public Administration from Marist College in 2006.

Patrick Collins previously worked as Counsel to the Chair of the Albany County Legislature and as an Assistant County Attorney, where he was appointed as Counsel to the Albany County Ethics Commission.

Before joining Albany County in 2012, he was an Appellate Court Attorney in the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department. 

Collins earned his Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University at Albany in 2003 and his Juris Doctorate from Albany Law School in 2011. Before attending law school, he worked as the office manager for the Albany County Public Defender.