It was “Law Day” about 25 years ago at Westlake High School when Tarrytown resident Kevin J. Plunkett first met Rob Astorino, the newly elected county executive in Westchester.

At the time, Astorino was a senior and president of the student body. Plunkett was legal counsel for the Mount Pleasant School District.

“He was a leader at the time and he’s a leader now,” said Plunkett. “The trend is obvious.”

Plunkett, now 60, went on to serve as village attorney for Irvington (1984-2007), Tarrytown (1999-2003) and Dobbs Ferry (1989-2009) and is currently a partner in the White Plains law firm DelBello Weingarten Wise & Wiederkehr.

Astorino, 42, was elected to the Mount Pleasant Board of Education at the age of 21 and served three terms as a councilman on the Mount Pleasant Town Board. He served one two-year term on the county Board of Legislators (2004-05) before running unsuccessfully for the county’s highest seat in 2005 against Andrew Spano.

However, Astorino threw his hat into the ring again this year and stunned many political observers by handily denying Spano a fourth four-year term, running on a platform of reducing property and consolidating government services.

And who did Astorino tap to help lead his transition team? Plunkett, who is no stranger to such a task having been part of Governor George Pataki’s transition team after the former Peekskill mayor defied the odds by ousting popular Governor Mario Cuomo.

“Of course, that was very similar to this. You had a candidate who knocked an incumbent out of office,” Plunkett said. “I am honored to have been selected by the county executive-elect to serve in this important role. County executive-elect Astorino and I share a vision of a smart and lean Westchester government that serves the people of this county capably and efficiently.”

Astorino, who takes office January 1, said he has trusted Plunkett for a long time and is delighted he agreed to spearhead a transition team of what Plunkett estimated to be between 50 and 70 individuals.

“There is a great deal of work to do in this county, and Mr. Plunkett has the know-how and breadth of experience to help assemble a topnotch leadership team, consisting of the best and the brightest that this county has to offer.”

Plunkett explained several subcommittees have been set up to quickly review all operations and personnel in county government.

“It’s been a sort of a soup to nuts operation in a consolidated fashion,” he said of the short time frame before Astorino replaces Spano. “It’s a big task. This is a sprint. This isn’t a marathon. It’s safe to say we’ll look at every position.”

After Astorino moves into the ninth floor, Plunkett expects his work to be done.

“I’m convinced it will be a smooth transition. I will do what I can to assist the new county executive,” Plunkett said. “What I see (in Astorino) is his leadership, his vision, his passion and his energy. We’re confident we can put it all together.”