In 1990, Van White returned to his hometown (he attended Number 50 and 22 Schools as a child) to work as a Monroe County Assistant District Attorney. In 1994, Van left the District Attorney’s Office to serve as Mayor William A. Johnson’s Special Counsel on Crime and Violence Initiatives. In his role as the City's “Crime Czar”, White did everything from close down drug houses to start original youth violence prevention and intervention programming like Late Night Basketball, Teen Court and Pathways to Peace. Long after Van left City Hall, these groundbreaking programs continue to positively impact area school children.

After leaving City Hall, Mr. White opened up his own private law firm where he began specializing in cases involving school safety issues -- the most significant of which was Givens v. R.C.S.D. That case (involving the only student killed on City School District property) redefined the legal responsibilities of school districts when it comes to school safety. The $1,000,000 verdict was the largest verdict against our school district in Western New York State history.

Mr. White maintains a thriving civil law practice. His practice primarily focuses on medical malpractice, personal injury, and civil and human rights violations. More recently, in an attempt to prevent some of these human and civil rights violations from occurring in the first place, Mr. White recently opened the Center For the Study of Civil and Human Rights Laws in Rochester, New York. The Center is a four thousand square foot facility that exists to promote diversity, tolerance, and community through educational programs, exhibitions, and research opportunities. In all of his endeavors, Van desires to make life more just, more equal, and more joyous for all the citizens of this community.