Walter W. Law Jr.

Walter William Law (July 15, 1871 in Westchester County, New York – August 26, 1958) was an American lawyer and politician from Briarcliff Manor, New York. He was President of Briarcliff Manor from 1905 to 1918; he later served in the New York State Legislature and then as President of the New York State Tax Commission.

Life

He was the son of Walter W. Law (1837–1924), the founder of Briarcliff Manor. He engaged in the real estate business. On April 10, 1901, he married Helen Renfrew Kingman (1880–1949), and they had several children.

Law was a member of the New York State Assembly (Westchester Co., 3rd D.) in 1914, 1915, 1916 and 1917; and was Chairman of the Committee on Penal Institutions in 1915.

He was a member of the New York State Senate (26th D.) in 1919 and 1920.

In 1921, he was appointed by Gov. Nathan L. Miller as President of the New York State Tax Commission. He was removed from office by Gov. Al Smith in January 1923, for misfeasance in office and neglect of duty. According to the charges brought against Law, he did not re-organize the Tax Department, as mandated when he was appointed by Miller; and he spent more money than appropriated by the State Legislature for running the Tax Department.

He died on August 26, 1958, and was buried at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Sleepy Hollow, New York.