A
BOUT
C
AROL
V
AN
S
COYOC
Carol Van Scoyoc was an extraordinarily gifted lawyer who
dedicated her career to public service. An icon of the
profession, Ms. Van Scoyoc represented the highest
standards for excellence in the practice of law, ethical
conduct and dedication to the public good that all lawyers
aspire to. Ms. Van Scoyoc passed away in 2017 at the age
of 56 after a long, courageous battle with cancer.
Born in 1960, Ms. Van Scoyoc was a summa cum laude
graduate of Manhattan College, where she served as the
first woman president of the St. Thomas More Law Society,
and received a JD from Pace University Law School. She
began her legal career in the Westchester County
Attorney’s Office, rising to the position of Assistant Chief
Deputy County Attorney. During her ten year tenure, she
served as counsel in over 150 reported cases, including In
the Matter of Westchester County Medical Center (Mary
O’Connor) 72 N.Y. 2d 517 (1988), a landmark Court of Appeals decision that resulted in major
changes to New York’s health care proxy forms in order to protect the mentally incapacitated. In
another highly significant matter, U.S. v. O’Rourke, 943 F.2d 180 (2d. Cir. 1991), Ms. Van Scoyoc
saved Westchester County taxpayers $5,000,000 when she successfully argued that the County had
complied with its agreement to close the Croton Landfill because of pollution to the Hudson River.
Beginning in 1995, for 22 years until her death, Ms. Van Scoyoc served as the Chief Deputy
Corporation Counsel for the City of White Plains where her consummate research, drafting and
litigation skills helped mold and shape the landscape of the City during a construction boom.
A leader and role model to the bar, in 2011 Ms. Van Scoyoc was elected as only the third woman
President of the Westchester County Bar Association in its 115 year history. She also served as
Chair of the Municipal Law Section of the Westchester County Bar Association and was the Editor
in Chief of the Westchester County Bar Journal. At the time of her passing, Ms. Van Scoyoc was
serving as Chair of the Local and State Government Law Section of the New York State Bar
Association, having previously served for many years on the Section’s Executive Committee. In
2012, Ms. Van Scoyoc received the Award for Excellence in Public Service presented by the New
York State Bar Association Committee on Attorneys in Public Service.
Committed to training the next generation of public officials, for 15 years Ms. Van Scoyoc served
as an Adjunct Professor at the Pace Graduate School of Public Administration. Hundreds of
graduate students benefitted from Ms. Van Scoyoc’s knowledge, passion, and unwavering
commitment to public service.
Ms. Van Scoyoc’s passion for the law was matched only by her love of family. Her professional
acumen and excellence were only surpassed by her dedication to loved ones and friends and her
kindness to all people. A devoted daughter, sister, sister-in-law and aunt, she lovingly cared for her
parents and delighted in spending time with her extended family.
Blessed with a brilliant mind and beautiful spirit, Ms. Van Scoyoc touched, inspired, and enriched
the lives of all who knew her. Her wisdom, integrity and perspective left an indelible mark on the
governments and the people she served.