Hon. Thomas M. Van Strydonck ’73
Hon. Thomas M. Van Strydonck ’73, a Supreme Court justice for the 7th Judicial District until 2012, served as chief administrative judge from 2000 to 2010. Appointed by Gov. George Pataki to the Supreme Court in 1998, he previously served as an assistant Monroe County district attorney and worked in private practice.
About this Interview
Interview Date(s)
September 19, 2012
Occasion
Oral History Project
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About the Hon. Thomas M. Van Strydonck
Hon. Thomas Van Strydonck was raised in Rochester, N.Y. Though his mother graduated from high school, his father did not. No one in the family was a lawyer. The justice’s twin brother graduated from the University at Buffalo with an MBA.
During his senior year at the University of Windsor (Ontario, Canada), VanStrydonck was undecided about his career. He applied to medical, business and law schools. Accepted to all, he decided to pursue law. UB was the only law school he considered, as it was close to his home in Rochester and was affordable.
He graduated from UB Law with the Class of 1973, though he entered in 1966 with the Class of 1969. After his 1L year, he joined the U.S. Navy for four years and left for Vietnam. He returned to the States four years later, in 1971, as a Navy officer. He remained in the Navy Reserve until 1988, when he retired as a naval commander.
VanStrydonck was nervous about the transition from the Navy to his 2L year. He initially thought he might be at a disadvantage, but it wasn’t a problem. He attended the Eagle Street campus with 160 classmates, the last class to graduate from Eagle Street. He chose the four-year program, which accommodated older, non-traditional students. He noticed a big cultural change that was reflected in the dress code, from ties and jackets in his 1L year to flip-flops and T-shirts when he returned. He praised the quality of the faculty. Classes he especially enjoyed included Criminal Procedure and Criminal Law. Adjunct Professor James Magavern was “terrific” teaching contracts. He valued the exposure to the courts of the Eagle Street location. He married after his second year, and the couple’s social activities revolved around Chippewa Street and Laughlin’s Bar.
VanStrydonck began his career in 1974 as a trial lawyer for the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office. He worked in this position until 1982. In addition to his position there, he also served as a partner in the law firm Trevett, Lenweaver & VanStrydonck from 1979 to 1998. He was then appointed to the Supreme Court.
Justice VanStrydonck considers his greatest achievement his daughter’s graduating from UB law school and becoming a district attorney. He remains close to the law school, teaches Trial Technique and hosts a reception for accepted applicants from Rochester.
