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1945 - 2021

BORN

1945

DIED

2021

BETTINA PLEVAN Obituary

Name: Funeral for BETTINA PLEVAN
Start: 2021-10-31T15:00:00.000Z
Location: Central Synagogue

PLEVAN--Bettina B. November 21, 1945 - October 29, 2021. Bettina B. Plevan, known to her legions of admirers as Betsy, died early in the morning of Friday, October 29, 2021 at the age of 75, after a fourteen-month battle with acute myeloma leukemia. Betsy was a consummate lawyer and nationally renowned leader in the organized bar. Following graduation from Wellesley College in 1967 and Boston University Law School in 1970, Betsy first practiced law in Seattle, Washington with the Bogle, Gates law firm. Returning to New York in 1974, she joined the law firm of Proskauer Rose as an associate, became a partner in 1980, and maintained an active practice until the week of her death. Betsy was widely respected as one of the top employment lawyers in the country. She was a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, and the College of Labor and Employment Law. She was the first woman president of the Federal Bar Council and the second woman President of the New York City Bar. With the American Bar Association, Betsy was for many years a representative to its House of Delegates, was a member of its Board of Governors, and served as Chair of its Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary. Betsy was a long-time Director of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights and the Law, and served a term as its National Co-Chair. Betsy's accomplishments were recognized by awards bestowed on her by many organizations (far too numerous to list). These awards include the James Duane Award given by the Southern District Federal Court and the Simon Rifkind Award bestowed by the Jewish Theological Seminary. Betsy was extremely devoted to her family - her husband Ken, her life partner for 54 years, her son Bill (Rabbi William Plevan) and his wife Sara Shapiro-Plevan, her son Jeff (who predeceased her), and her grandson Ariel. The funeral will be held at Central Synagogue, 652 Lexington Avenue in New York City, on Sunday, October 31, 2021 at 11:00am. Shiva information will be announced at a later time. The family requests that memorial gifts be made in support of The Betsy Plevan Memorial Fund for Leukemia Research at Mount Sinai. Checks made payable to Mount Sinai Health System with "Betsy Plevan Fund" in the memo can be mailed to: Mount Sinai Development, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1049, NY, NY 10029.

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Published by New York Times on Oct. 30, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for BETTINA PLEVAN

17 Entries

Carole Jezek

October 24, 2022

Bettina Plevan
Betsy was always a gracious hostess to extended family and friends. Her style and smile remaind a blessed memory.

Gregory Alan Hearing

January 1, 2022

My condolences to her family. She was inducted in the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers the same year as me so I only knew her from the College but she was an impressive lawyer and highly regarded by her colleagues.

Hilary Lee

November 15, 2021

I offer my deepest condolences to the Plevan Family. I worked as a paralegal for Betsy a couple of years ago. The first day I started to work with her, she asked me if I wanted to be a lawyer and I told her "yes". We continued our relationship outside of the firm, and as I was applying for law schools. Betsy deeply cared for my success and sincerely guided me through the process. She was the first person in my legal career who believed that I could do what she did for the legal community. I was exchanging emails with her only a couple of months ago giving her updates about my career, and she replied with so much support and cheer. I am saddened by the fact that Betsy could not see me becoming a lawyer like her. Betsy has left such a beautiful impact on my life. I will always remember her extraordinary work ethic, kind sympathy, and fearless attitude. My heartfelt condolences to you and your family.

Michael Ridgway Jones

November 8, 2021

Ken and family, Scott and I send our deepest condolences from Atlanta. You and Betsy welcomed us with open arms into the Skadden family during my time there. You and your whole family are in our thoughts and prayers. May her memory be a blessing. Michael and Scott

Norman L Greene

November 8, 2021

I first met Betsy in the early 1980s through the Central Synagogue parents group which Ken and Betsy were leading and organizing. I first heard of Ken through a Former Skadden associate then working for me at another firm named Maureen C.--who memorably mentioned to me how wonderful Ken was and how great to work for. I then repeatedly interacted with Betsy on City bar matters She was often in leadership roles at the City bar such as chair of Council on international Affairs and City bar president when she presided over the Exec Comm on which I served. She carried her leadership lightly and gently and sit back in the room gently letting things happen and making everything better with her presence. I will always remember Betsy, not the least her style. My condolences to Ken and family. I will miss her. Regards. Norman Greene

Cyrus D Mehta

November 8, 2021

I offer my heartfelt condolences to Ken, Bill, Sara, and Ariel.

I worked quite extensively with Betsy as a member of the Executive Committee of the NY City Bar when she was the President. Betsy was both brilliant and compassionate, and full of ideas on how to make the Bar more relevant and meaningful for its members. I kept in touch with Betsy through the years.

Betsy was a tremendous inspiration to lawyers and the clients she served, and will be sorely missed. May her memory be a blessing for all of us.

The Gateway School

November 4, 2021

Our heartfelt condolences to the Plevan Family on the loss of their beloved, Betsy. The Plevan's have been an integral part of the Gateway family and we mourn alongside them. We remember and honor Jeff today and always. We hold Ken, Bill, Sara, and Ariel in our hearts during this difficult time.

Bitsey (Beth) Bates Johnson

November 3, 2021

I was a Wellesley College classmate of Betsy's and loved knowing her many years ago. I so admire what she accomplished with her legal career. Forever proud of her. Condolences to her family members on your loss of Betsy - but she is still with you in your memories.

Janet Polstein

November 3, 2021

I worked with Betsy when I was a young associate at Cahill Gordon. She was kind, compassionate and generous with her time and I considered her a role model of a successful female attorney. My deepest sympathies to her family. I hope you take comfort in knowing how many lives she touched in a positive way and that her memory is a blessing to you.

Ann Hill

November 2, 2021

I am so sorry for your loss and for our loss -- what an incredible woman and role model for other women and for all human beings.

Toni Hill McGauley

November 2, 2021

Ken, reading this shocked and saddened me. When I last saw you both at Wellesley, we were all hale and hearty. She certainly did make a difference in the world, and I know you will feel a real void. You made such a fantastic team. Treasure the memories!

Sending love, Toni

Norris Wolff

November 1, 2021

Dear Ken-
We were saddened and shocked to learn today of Betsy's passing. We feel so fortunate to have known her and to have shared many wonderful experiences with both of you at the Federal Bar Council meetings. Betsy was a role model and inspiration for generations of female lawyers. She always found time to help others and listen to their views. Betsy set the gold standard for being a beautiful human being. May she always be remembered as a blessing to her family, to her friends, to her profession and to the Jewish community. She will be sorely missed.
With deepest sympathy and love,
Judy and Norris Wolff

Marvin Plevinsky

November 1, 2021

My heartfelt condolences to Ken and the family for their loss.

Carole Jezek

October 31, 2021

Please accept my most sincere and deepest sympathy on the passing of Bettina Barasch Plevan

Sharon Stern Gerstman

October 31, 2021

Deepest sympathy to Ken and family. I last saw Betsy on a boat on the Seine while we were attending the opening of the Paris bar year. She was so happy there and I love that that is my lasting memory of her. She was a great leader, and we will miss her.

Steve Stein

October 30, 2021

Ken, as I've been somewhat out of the Proskauer loop for many years, I did not know of Betsy's illness until I read her obituary just now. I recall being bowled over by her when she, most fortuitously, came from Seattle and interviewed her in the office. She so impressed our litigators, even senior associates as I was at thew time that we made her an immediate offer. Of course, she thrived in the firm from day one and at a time when we were overwhelmed with work and her value was established thus that we competed to have her on our cases, Her elevation to partner was, a few years later, by acclamation. Within a short time she rose to a leadership role within and without the firm. I'm terribly sad today as are, surely all the people that came to know her. My heartfelt condolenced to you and your family.

Steve

jay gerber

October 30, 2021

Ken, Bill, my sincere condolences. Betsy's career accomplishments speak for themselves, she was formidable. Her humanity and kindness were even more appreciated by all who knew her.

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