The New York
State Bar Association (NYSBA) mourns past-President Whitney North Seymour, Jr.,
who died on June 29 at the age of 95. Seymour served as NYSBA president from
1974–1975.
“Whitney
North Seymour, Jr., was a giant. He exemplified the best of our profession, in
its nobility and commitment to public service,” said NYSBA President Hank
Greenberg, adding that “he was dedicated to the rule of law and believed deeply
in the principles of our great democracy. I understand that he was fond of
quoting Thomas Paine: ‘The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do
good is my religion.’”
In his long
and storied career, Seymour served as assistant U.S attorney in Manhattan, U.S.
Attorney for the Southern District of N.Y., and as the independent counsel
investigating Michael Deaver, aide to then–President Ronald Reagan. He enjoyed
a 30-year career at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, and a second one as a small
firm lawyer, as he put it, helping “ordinary people who simply cannot afford to
hire legal counsel.”
Greenberg
recalled reading that the Seymour family had an unusual Fourth of July tradition.
“The story is
that the entire Seymour family spent the holiday reading aloud passages from
the Declaration of Independence and discussing their meaning,” said Greenberg,
saying that “it truly is a fitting way to celebrate Independence Day.”
Read Whitney
North Seymour, Jr.’s NYSBA Journal article about his second act in his two-partner law office, entitled Re-thinking Retirement.
About the
New York State Bar Association
The New
York State Bar Association is the largest voluntary state bar association in
the nation. Since 1876, NYSBA has helped shape the development of law, educated
and informed the legal profession and the public, and championed the rights of
New Yorkers through advocacy and guidance in our communities.
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Contact: Joan Fucillo [email protected]518-487-5670
