Judge Scott was a trailblazer. After several firsts for the Western New York legal community, in 1995 Judge Scott became the District’s first African American judge. At the time of his appointment to the federal bench as a United States Magistrate Judge, then-Chief Judge Michael Telesca described him as having strong and deep roots in the community and the bench and bar in Erie County. Those roots deepened and expanded during Judge Scott’s faithful service to this District until his death on February 19, 2021, leaving an enduring legacy of civility, service, mentorship, and inspiration.

Judge Scott graduated from the University of Buffalo Law School in 1974. Since it was difficult for African Americans at that time to find employment with a law firm, Judge Scott began a long career in public service, first serving as Assistant Erie County Attorney, Assistant Corporation Counsel, and Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of New York (the first African American appointed to that post). In 1979, New York State Attorney General Robert Abrams appointed Judge Scott as Deputy Attorney General and, in 1981, promoted him to Assistant Attorney General in Charge of the Buffalo regional office, again the first African American to hold that post. In 1984, Judge Scott was elected to the Buffalo City Court, serving in that capacity until his appointment as United States Magistrate Judge in 1995. He was reappointed three times and was still serving when he passed away on February 19, 2021.

Following Judge Scott’s passing, then-United States Attorney for the Western District of New York James P. Kennedy, Jr., aptly stated that “Judge Scott devoted his life to the pursuit of justice and recognized that our system of justice depends vitally on the humanity of those working in it. As a prosecutor and as a jurist, he exuded those human traits which both instill confidence in and breathe life into our system of justice – impartiality, fairness, decency, efficiency, and above all, heart. Blending wisdom and wit, he had an uncanny ability to connect, in a heartfelt way, with all who appeared before him . . . . [H]is greatness was truly defined not by the color of his skin but by the contents of both his remarkable character and his overflowing heart.” Echoing those sentiments, then-Chief Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr., remembered Judge Scott as a caring individual who used his positions to better the lot of others. Judge Geraci noted that no one ever uttered a bad word about Judge Scott and he never said a bad word about others. Fittingly, in 2011, the Bar Association of Erie County awarded Judge Scott its Charles Dougherty Civility Award.

Judge Scott cherished his role as a mentor. He served as a Lecturer of Trial Technique and Advanced Trial Technique at the University at Buffalo Law School, creating a generation of litigators. He also served on several community and educational boards, empowering members of the community ordinarily outside of the corridors of power.

Judge Scott’s impact on the community will be everlasting. Recognizing the hurdles faced by those with federal criminal convictions, Judge Scott and his Rochester colleague Judge Jonathan Feldman established the District’s Re-Entry Court to assist newly released inmates in their transition back into the community and reduce recidivism. Through their efforts at fostering partnerships with various agencies, the Re-Entry Court provides access to housing assistance, drug counseling, civil legal representation, job training and educational opportunities.

In 2007, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., appointed Magistrate Judge Scott to the Codes of Conduct Committee of the Judicial Conference of the United States, which advises federal judges and judiciary employees on ethical standards. Magistrate Judge Scott also received numerous awards and citations. The University of Buffalo Law School posthumously awarded him the Edwin F. Jaeckle Award, the highest award for law school alumni.

Through an annual award and scholarships bearing his name, the Minority Bar Association of Western New York and its affiliate Minority Bar Foundation continue to honor Magistrate Judge Scott’s memory.

Judge Scott is survived by his wife Trudy Carlson Scott, whom he married in 1973, their two sons Hugh B. Scott, Jr., and Everett N. Scott, and three grandchildren.

This memorial was prepared with the assistance and contributions of David Hayes.