WWBA Dec 2016 - Jan 2017 Newsletter - M

Westchester Women’s Bar Association 

DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 

O 

WWBA 

WWBA ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY 

Lisa Denig 

n December 14, 2016, the WWBA hosted its annual Holiday Party. This 

popular event, held at the Women’s Club in White Plains, has become the 

premiere holiday party of the season. 

With tables of delicious food and live piano music playing in the background, 

attendees mixed and mingled while also perusing the wares of nearly a dozen vendors. 

Last minute shoppers could choose from an array of beautiful clothing, unique jewelry 

and handbags, silver items, soaps and much more. 

continued on page 4 ➥ 

The WWBA’s annual “Red” photo 

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 

DECEMBER 2016/ 

JANUARY 2017 

Maintenance and Child 

Support Guidelines 

(page 4) 

Speed Networking 

(page 5) 

An Interview with 

Hon. Lawrence Ecker 

(page 6) 

WWBA Upcoming Events 

(page 8) 

SAVE THE DATE 

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News 

news 

www.wwbany.org 

ETHICS UPDATE 2017 

General Membership 

Meeting 

January 11, 2017 

BNY Mellon 

White Plains, New York 

BOARD MEETING AND 

DIVERSITY PROGRAM 

February 1, 2017 

Wilson Elser 


MEDICAID PLANNING 

February 8, 2017 

McCarthy Fingar 


PRESIDENT’S 

MESSAGE 

Happy New 

Year! It’s hard to believe 

that 2016 has 

drawn to a close. Of 

course, the start of a 

new year gives us 

time to reflect on successes 

from the past 

and anticipate the 

future. I once had a 

friend who was part 

Susan Edwards 

Colson 

of a military family, which meant that 

every few years she moved. I, who lived 

in the same house, same neighborhood, 

same school my entire childhood, wondered 

about all those moves and what 

they meant to her. She said, “I always 

think to myself: Who do I want to be 

this time? The “fun” kid? The “good 

girl”? Or maybe the “creative one?” I 

get a chance to put everything aside 

and try on a new me.” I always think of 

her and what a great perspective she 

had toward change. After all, who 

doesn’t love a fresh start? 

The WWBA can embrace its own 

fresh start from a position of strength: 

the past few months were packed with 

significant milestones. During the fall, 

along with our wonderful assortment of 

CLE’s, brown bags, and meetings, the 

Judicial Screening Committee, led by 

Sondra Forster and Loren Glassman, 

did excellent work evaluating and rating 

judicial candidates. The results of 

their work were announced just before 

the election and was a service to WWBA 

members and the broader community. 

Speaking of the election, WWBA got 


Page 1 

The Westchester Women’s Bar Association is a Chapter of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York

WWBA Member Newsletter 

DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 

Published Monthly by the 

Westchester Women’s 

Bar Association, a Chapter of 

the Women’s Bar Association 

of the State of New York 

~ 2016/2017 Officers and Directors ~ 

President SUSAN EDWARDS COLSON 

Vice Presidents 

LISA M. DENIG JOELLE M. BURTON JENNIFER N. NETROSIO 

Treasurer 

AMANDA C. FRIED Recording Secretary ANGELA MORCONE GIANNINI 

Corresponding Secretary KIM BERG 

Immediate Past ast President 

ROBIN D. CARTON 

Elected Directors Westchester Board 

GAIL M. BOGGIO HÉLÈNE CÔTÉ AMY E. GEWIRTZ 

LONYA A. GILBERT SHARI R. GORDON 

State Directors Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York 

ROBIN D. CARTON KITLEY S. COVILL DONNA E. FROSCO 

MARIAN GENIO THERESA A. GIROLAMO ANNETTE G. HASAPIDIS JAMIESON L. KEISER 

ADRIENNE J. ORBACH SUSAN MILLS RICHMOND JANE SILVERMAN 

Executive Director ELISABETH CAMPOS 

© Copyright 2017 Westchester Women’s Bar Association. All rights reserved. 

The opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s) only and do not reflect the official position of the Association. 

Editor-in-Chief: Kim Berg • Designed and Printed by IPM Media Group, Inc. (516) 809-0501 

2016-2017 WWBA Committee Chairs 

S T A N D I N G C O M M I T T E E S 

By-Laws .................................................................. Anna L. Georgiou 

Corporate & Commercial ........................ Lisa M. Bluestein, Eva David 

Criminal Law ....... Kitley S. Covill, Lisa M. Denig, Hon. Sandra A. Forster 

Families, Children & the Courts ........... Shari R. Gordon, Joy S. Joseph, 

Lauren Morrissey, Hon. Irene Ratner 

Grievance/Ethics ............................ Kitley S. Covill, Deborah A. Scalise 

Judicial Screening ............... Hon. Sandra A. Forster, Loren I. Glassman 

Judiciary .......... Hon. Delores Scott Brathwaite, Hon. Linda S. Jamieson 

Lawyering & Parenting ............................................... Joelle M. Burton, 

Jana Kosberg-Kleidman 

Legislation ................................................. Angela Morcone Gianinni 

Matrimonial .......... Robin Carton, Dolores Gebhardt, Lonya A. Gilbert 

Annual Dinner ......... Robin D. Carton, Lisa M. Denig, Jennifer L. Gray, 

Stephanie Melowsky, Jennifer N. Netrosio 

Annual Dinner Souvenir Journal ................................................. TBD 

Appellate Practice ....................... Lisa M. Denig, Hon. Mark C. Dillon, 

Hon. Sondra M. Miller, Hon. Robert A. Spolzino 

Archive & Historian ..................................................... Susan L. Pollet 

Awards ............................................. Elizabeth M. Barnhard, Kim Berg 

Bankruptcy ................... Susan Mills Richmond, Wendy Marie Weathers 

Breast Cancer Awareness ...................................... Adrienne J. Orbach 

Collaborative Law ........................... Kathleen Donelli, John J. Grimes, 

Lynn J. Maier, Hon. Sondra M. Miller 

Community Outreach ... Deborah A. Scalise, Hon. Lisa Margaret Smith 

Continuing Legal Education ..................................... Ann M. McNulty 

Diversity in Membership ........... Jacqueline Hattar, Stephanie Melowsky 

Domestic Violence ...................... Natanya L. Briendel, Audrey E. Stone 

Education Law ....................... Adrienne J. Arkontaky, Julie P. Passman, 

Susan Mills Richmond 

Elder & Health Law ............. Patricia L. Angley, Elizabeth A. Cumming, 

Shari R. Gordon 

Employment Law ...................................... Kim Berg, Hillary Raimondi 

Environmental & Land Use .......... Lucia Chiocchio, Anna L. Georgiou, 

Jennifer L. Gray, Katherine Zalantis 

Gender Dynamics ...................................... Hon. Terry Jane Ruderman 

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A D H O C C O M M I T T E E S 

Membership ............................................... Sherry Bishko, Hélène Côté 

Networking ................................... Jennifer L. Gray, Patricia McCluskey 

New Lawyers ............................. Elizabeth Marcus, Jennifer N. Netrosio 

Professional Development .............. Adam J. Krim, Stephanie Melowsky 

Programs ........................................... Lucia Chiocchio, Amanda Fried 

Public Relations ............................... Joelle M. Burton, Jennifer L. Gray 

Real Property ............................ Melanie Finkel, Hon. Sandra A. Forster 

Sponsorship .................................. Lisa M. Bluestein, Lucia Chiocchio, 

Joelle M. Burton 

Taxation ....................................................................................... TBD 

Trusts & Estates ................................... Gail M. Boggio, Anna B. Parker, 

Nancy J. Rudolph, Karen J. Walsh 

Golf & Tennis Outing ................................................................ TBD 

Holiday Party and Boutique ...... Dolores Gebhardt, Jennifer N. Netrosio 

Immigration ................................................................. Henry Mascia 

Insurance ..................................................................... Dawn Warren 

Intellectual Property .............. Elizabeth M. Barnhard, Donna E. Frosco, 

Theresa O’Rourke Nugent 

Judgment Enforcement & Collections .............. Christopher T. Bonante, 

Daniel F. Florio, Jr. 

Litigation ...................... Angela Morcone Giannini, Jacqueline Hattar 

Kimberly Sheehan 

Long Range Planning ............... Lisa M. Bluestein, Carla D. Glassman, 

Linda Markowitz, Ann M. McNulty 

Mediation ............................ Amy Carron Day, Hon. Sondra M. Miller, 

Lauren S. Morrissey, Abby Rosmarin 

Network of Bar Leaders ............................................. Donna E. Frosco 

Pace Board of Visitors ....................... Gail M. Boggio, Lonya A. Gilbert 

Past Presidents ........... Jane Bilus Gould, Mary F. Kelly, Linda Markowitz 

Practice Management ......... Jamieson L. Keiser, Wendy Marie Weathers 

Pro Bono .................................................. Marcia Levy, Marian Genio 

Technology/Website .......... Donna E. Frosco, Theresa O’Rourke Nugent 

WCA Board Delegate ............................................ Anthony Morando 

WWBA Foundation President ....................................... Julie S. Kattan 

WWBA Representative Director to the WCBA Board .. Dolores Gebhardt 

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Westchester Women’s Bar Association News

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President’s Message 

from page 1 

off to a great start with our first meeting, 

The Power of Your Vote: Democracy is Not 

a Spectator Sport. Thanks to co-chairs 

Alaye Katz and Joelle Burton, our members 

enjoyed an enlightening evening discussion 

which encouraged members to 

register voters, a WBASNY priority. Working 

alongside our local League of Women 

Voters, I can say with pride that the WWBA 

definitely did its part! 

With the start of the New Year, we are 

looking ahead to many exciting events, 

kicking it all off with a perennial favorite: 

Deb Scalise’s Ethics CLE on January 11th. 

For those of you who might not know about 

this (I can hardly imagine!) Deb chooses 

a recent ethic’s issue and places it in an 

imaginary context, full of names and characters 

that set the scene for a fun and educational 

evening. I look forward to this 

program every year, to see who the cast 

will be and how their personalities will light 

up the “stage.” Spring will bring our 

fourth and final general membership meeting 

of the year, with the Judge’s Panel and 

Dinner coordinated by Donna Frosco. Like 

the annual Ethics CLE, this fun evening 

engages our members in a way that builds 

relationships and mutual understanding 

impossible in a work-a-day world of practice. 

Of course, the force behind the 

WWBA is YOU, our members. If there is 

something you would like to see us do or 

some way that we can add value to your 

membership in WWBA, please let me know. 

If you have not already renewed your membership 

this year, we hope that you will 

consider renewing now. Membership in 

WWBA not only gives you all the benefits 

of our local organization, but you will also 

automatically become a member of the 

Women’s Bar Association of New York 

(WBASNY), the second largest bar association 

in New York and a real force in 

promoting diversity, as well as women’s 

meaningful and full participation in the 

practice of law. If you have any questions 

about how to become a member, please 

contact me or check out our webpage 

www.wwbany.org. Thank you for your ongoing 

support. Looking forward to a great 

2017 with you! ◗ 

Editor’s Note 

“Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the 

wisdom that experience can instill in us.” 

~ Hal Borland 

Making Dates and Getting Published 

NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS 

❑ Deadline for newsletter submissions is the 12th of the month prior to publication (submissions 

received after the deadline are subject to the discretion of the editor). 

❑ Send submissions as email attachments to Kim Berg at kberg@gouldberglaw.com. 

❑ Articles should be 1,000 words or fewer. Remove all pagination, headers, footers or other 

formatting, other than bold, underline or italics. Authors are encouraged to submit photographs 

for publication with their submissions and include a short biographical statement with 

their submissions. 

❑ Materials submitted allow the WWBA a limited copyright and full permission to reprint the 

material in any WWBA publication or on its website without additional consent. 

❑ Photographs must be high-resolution (150 dpi or more) and the subject and all persons in 

each photograph must be fully identified. 

PROGRAM SCHEDULING 

❑ First visit the WWBA website: www.wwbany.org and click on the calendar at the home page to 

view scheduled programs. Conflicts in scheduling will be assessed on a case by case basis, with 

priority for early submissions. 

❑ Contact Kim Berg at kberg@gouldberglaw.com to schedule a WWBA sponsored or cosponsored 

program, including committee meetings, CLE programs, etc. 

❑ Once you have reserved the date with Kim Berg, proceed with planning your program and 

creating your flyer. 

❑ Flyers must be approved by the Programs Committee. In advance of the 12th of the month, 

please send your flyer to the Program Committee Co-chairs for review and copy the Executive 

Director. Once approved, please send your final flyer to the Executive Director, Kim Berg and the 

President for publication on the website calendar and the newsletter calendar. The final flyer will 

also be emailed to the membership. 

❑ We will also consider publicizing programs from outside organizations that may be of interest 

to our members. 

❑ Post-event: You may report on the success of your program and provide photographs of the 

speakers and participants that can be included in an upcoming newsletter. Send your submission 

to Lisa M. Denig, following the guidelines above. 

Contacts 

Kim Berg, Corresponding Secretary and Newsletter Editor-in-Chief: kberg@gouldberglaw.com 

Lucia Chiocchio, Programs Committee Co-Chair: lchiocchio@cuddyfeder.com 

Amanda Fried, Programs Committee Co-Chair: afried@cartonrosoff.com 

Susan Edwards Colson, President: president@wwbany.org 

Ann M. McNulty, CLE Chair: ann.m.mcnulty@morganstanley.com 

Elisabeth Campos, Executive Director: executivedirector@wwbany.org 

A d v e r t i s i n g R a t e s 

Full Page Display Ad 

5-10 Issues - $525.00 per issue 


Half Page Display Ad 



Quarter Page Display Ad 



Business Card Ad 



Classified – office space, furniture/equipment, employment & situation wanted (up to 5 lines) 

Members - $50.00 first issue; $25.00 each succeeding issue; Non-Members - $75.00 per issue 

Back Cover (3/4 page) 

5-10 Issues - $650.00 per issue; 1-4 Issues - $700.00 per issue 

Deadline for all ads is the 12th of the month prior to publication. Ads are subject to space limitations. 

Call Kim Berg at (914) 397-1050 or kberg@gouldberglaw.com for any questions regarding advertising. 


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2016 WWBA HOLIDAY PARTY 

from page 1 

As always, the WWBA could count on 

their generous guests to donate canned 

food items and gifts for teenagers to be 

delivered to local charities in time for the 

holiday. By the end of the evening, the 

table meant to hold these donations was 

spilling over. Thank you to Adrienne 

Orbach for delivering the 140 pounds of 

food we collected!! 

President Susan Edwards Colson presented 

two outgoing board members-Ann 

McNulty and Robin Carton-with their 

handmade certificates of appreciation. 

Then it was time for the annual “RED” photograph, 

deftly arranged by the WWBA 

Executive Director Elisabeth Campos. 

A special thanks to our Holiday Party 

Committee for putting together another successful 

event. ◗ 

Thank You to our Generous Holiday Party Sponsors 

Diamond Jewel ~ Sterling National Bank 

Emerald Jewel ~ BNY Mellon 

Gold ~ McCarthy Fingar LLP • Rosenthal & Markowitz 

Walsh & Amicucci LLP 

Silver ~ The Cuddy Law Firm PC • Leason Ellis LLP • Yankwitt LLP 

Bronze ~ Law Offices of Lisa M. Bluestein, LLC 

Edwards Colson Law, PPLC • Kelly & Knaplund 

Barbara Lerman, Esq. • Netro Athleticz LLC 

DECONSTRUCTING 

THE MAINTENANCE 

AND CHILD SUPPORT 

GUIDELINES: 

How to Determine 

Income and Calculate 

Support 

Joy Joseph, Shari Gordon and 

Lauren Morrissey 

On November 3, 2016, the Families, 

Children & the Courts Committee was delighted 

to provide an opportunity for the 

Matrimonial and Family Court Bar and 

Judicial authorities who preside over our 

cases to interface concerning the new 

Matrimonial Guidelines and the Child 

Support Guidelines. With Alayne Katz, 

Esq. serving as Moderator, the Hon. Victor 

G. Grossman, Justice of the Supreme 

Court, currently assigned to the Matrimonial 

Part, the Hon. Laurie Sullivan, Court 

Attorney Referee handling divorces matters 

and the Hon. Esther R. Furman, Family 

Court Support Magistrate, discussed how 

they interpret and apply the Guidelines in 


Pension Actuaries Inc. 

David Gensler, MSPA, MAAA, EA, President (davidg@paiqdro.net • ext. 302) 

Robert Guarnera, MSPA, FCA, MAAA, EA, CPC, Consulting Actuary (bobg@paiqdro.net • ext. 300) 

2500 Westchester Avenue, Suite 106 • Purchase, NY 10577 • Phone (914) 712-4897 • Fax (914) 251-1922 

EMPLOYMENT POSITION AVAILABLE 

A Westchester consulting firm specializing in pension valuation and QDRO preparation on 

marriage dissolution is seeking a full time experienced paralegal (matrimonial law is a 

major plus). Duties will include but are not limited to: client interaction (calls, emails, and 

drop in client visits), reviewing legal documents, preparing QDRO’s and assisting staff with 

all aspects of legal work and office management/organization. 

~ REQUIREMENTS ~ 

■ At least 2 years of paralegal work, preferably in the matrimonial field 

■ College Degree or paralegal certification 

■ Must be professional, detail oriented, organized & have full knowledge of all MS office products. 

Please direct all inquiries to the attention of Kristine Faby, Vice President at the address above. 

She may also be reached at 914.251.0099 x214 or kfaby@madisonpension.com 

Page 4 


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Speed Networking: An Interactive Meeting Devoted to 

Getting to Know Other WWBA Members 

It was a Friday afternoon and you were 

checking your email. You noticed that the 

WWBA scheduled a Speed Networking 

event. You scanned the invitation for details, 

glanced at the venue information, description, 

and think: “Is it worth it?” For 

those who attended November’s General 

Membership Meeting the answer was a resounding 

“Yes!” 

Whether you are starting your own 

practice, searching for the perfect colleague, 

or transitioning to a new job – 

networking is crucial. It can propel you to 

the next level professionally while also enhancing 

your personal life by starting new 

friendships. According to meeting participant 

Deborah Scalise: “I met five new 

people, and I got to know not only what 

they do professionally, but also something 

about them personally. I was surprised 

when one turned out to be a coach for my 

daughter’s team, since I was once a softball 

player, we immediately had something 

in common.” 

Facilitator Adam Krim designed a plan 

for the evening where two WWBA members 

were paired for nine minutes, half the 

time allotted to each participant’s story. He 

instructed that when it was your turn to talk 

briefly summarize what you do and differentiate 

yourself from your competitors. 

Then, and more importantly, tell why you 

FELICIA BERENSON-REINHARDT 

New York State Office of the 

Attorney General 

Medicaid Fraud Control Unit 

MICHELLE BERMAN 

Voute Lohrfink Magro & McAndrew LLP 

170 Hamilton Avenue 

White Plains, NY 10601 

michelleberman@vlmmc-law.com 

MELANIE DEBROSSE, ESQ. 

215 East 80th Street 

Apt. 4C 

New York, NY 10075 

melanie.debrosse@gmail.com 

Adam Krim and several participants “speed networking” 

do it. “This is what makes you unique,” 

noted Adam, “it is what hints at your motivation 

and people will remember you.” 

Adam Krim had previously spoken about 

the importance of telling the “why” of your 

professional life in an October webinar 

which was offered as preparation for the 

Speed Networking event. 

Adam’s point was clear: participants 

should treat networking as if they were 

cooking their own unique “stew.” Each 


Chapter News and Announcements 

Announcements & Notes on Members 

❑ WWBA member Elizabeth Shollenberger was appointed to a ten year term as a 

full-time judge on the White Plains City Court. She took the bench as of January 1, 

2017. Prior to her appointment, she was in solo practice in White Plains, focusing on 

landlord-tenant law, family and matrimonial law, and representing consumers. The 

lion’s share of her career was spent representing indigent clients in civil matters, first 

through Bronx Legal Services (1988-2003), then through Queens Legal Services (2003- 

2009). She also taught at New York Law School and at N.Y.U. School of Law. She is 

a 1978 graduate of Princeton University and a 1981 graduate of Yale Law School. ◗ 

Westchester Women’s Bar Association New Members 

The Westchester Women’s Bar Association proudly welcomes our newest members: 

REGINA DIORIO 

Student – Pace Law School 

INGRID GOMEZ 

Graduate Awaiting Admission 

New York Law School 

DAVID LEVER 

David B. Lever & Associates, PLLC 

120 Bloomingdale Road, Suite 401 

White Plains, New York 10605 

dlever@leverinjurylaw.com 

 

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 

JACKL 

CKLYN MACIAS 

4 Hudson Terrace, Unit 2 

Dobbs Ferry, New York 10552 

jmmaciasesq@gmail.com 

SHOSHANA ROGOVSKY 

Weiss & Arons LLP 

1540 Route 202, Suite 8 

Pomona, New York 10970 

srogovsky@gmail.com 

Graduate Awaiting Admission 

TARA STURTEV 

TEVANT 

ANT, , ESQ. 

68 Main Street, 2nd Floor 

Tuckahoe, NY 10707 

tara@tarasturtevantesq.com 


Page 5

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December 7th Lunch and 

Learn: Elder Law 101 

Patricia L. Angley 

On December 7, 2016, 

the Elder and Health and 

New Lawyer’s Committees 

sponsored an informative 

lunch-and-learn on Elder Law 

101. Jennifer Bienenstock, 

Esq. of Maker, Fragale & Di 

Constanzo, LLP, spoke on a 

variety of topics including 

Medicaid planning, powers 

of attorney and wills. She addressed 

the difficult ethical 

issues when dealing with seniors 

and their families, especially 

when a client may 

have limited capacity. She 

stressed the importance of 

clear communication with seniors 

concerning their income 

and assets and created a 

detailed client profile of 

“Bob and Jane” to help 

frame the discussion. 

The group was very col- 

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Elizabeth Cumming, Jennifer 

Bienenstock, Patricia L. Angley 

legial and we enjoyed the 

hospitality of Glassman & 

Brown, LLP. We hope to have 

Jennifer speak again in the 

Spring on the further planning 

needs of “Bob and Jane.” ◗ 

Contact banking professionals 

experienced in serving your 

unique needs 914-367-9000: 

Michael Henderson, 

Senior Managing Director 

Larry McElroen, Managing Director 

Anthony Forgione, Managing Director 

Moira Kiernan, Managing Director 

To learn about Sterling’s full suite 

of services, visit snb.com 

Member 

FDIC 

A Leader in Serving the 

Legal Services Community. 

That’s Sterling. 

Expect the highest caliber of personal 

service and banking expertise. 

Expect extraordinary. 

Deconstructing the Maintenance and 

Child Support Guidelines 

from page 4 

their courtrooms. Each of them provided 

valuable information concerning what they 

expect of attorneys who appear before 

them, offering some “Do’s and Don’ts” to 

help us prepare for our court appearances. 

CPA Barbara E. Bel presented the definition 

of “income” from an accountant’s perspective, 

with a step-by step analysis of a 

mock tax return involving a self-employed 

individual. The program was very well received 

with some 90 individuals in attendance. 

The Families, Children & the Courts 

Committee is very grateful to Justice 

Grossman, Referee Sullivan, Support Magistrate 

Furman and Ms. Bel, as well as to 

our former Co-Chair, Alayne Katz, Esq., 

for the time and energy that they devoted 

to preparing for and presenting this stimulating 

and informative program. 

Thank you to Surrogate Sall and his 

staff for graciously donating the courtroom 

to us for the event. ◗ 

Speed Networking: 

Getting to Know 

Other WWBA 

Members 

from page 5 

speaker could incorporate a select set of 

facts--ingredients--that gave their partner 

an overall feeling of who that person was 

as an individual. He also noted that with 

networking, the goal is to develop lasting 

relationships so it is important to be genuine 

in all actions. Key priorities are to listen, 

be patient, and understand the needs 

of others- while also understanding your 

own needs too. 

“This was a terrific event,” noted participant 

Courtney Darts. “As a relatively new 

member of the WWBA, I really enjoyed 

meeting some of the other members and 

learning about their practices. Networking 

doesn’t come easily to many of us, but 

this event showed that it’s a skill you can 

develop and that it can even be fun!” ◗ 

Page 6 


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An Interview with Honorable Lawrence H. Ecker 

Susan L. Pollet 

Chair of the Archive and 

Historian Committee 

Q: You have been a member 

of the WWBA for some 

time. What prompted to you 

join? 

A: I recognize the great strides 

that have been made as more 

women became attorneys 

and judges in Westchester 

County. I have always been 

supportive of such efforts. 

When I began practicing in 

1972, there were but a handful 

of women. I am respectful 

of the balancing act required 

of professional women with 

family responsibilities. My wife 

of 48 years, Lynne Spector- 

Ecker (I stress the hyphen), has 

worked throughout our marriage, 

while being the very 

active CEO and general 

manager of our household 

and family. 

Q: Tell us about your career 

prior to becoming a Judge. 

A: I graduated from Brooklyn 

Law School in 1972. My first 

job was as associate counsel 

in the office of J. Radley 

Herold, and then Stephen J. 

Pittari, a/k/a Legal Aid Criminal, 

each of whom was a 

great mentor. In 1974 I joined 

my brother Lou in private 

practice in Yonkers. We were 

later joined by Judge Gerry 

Loehr. Lou did criminal defense, 

Gerry did personal injury 

and municipal law, and I 

was the swing person, doing 

family law, real estate, civil litigation, 

transactional, and 

estates. 

Q: When did you decide to 

become a Judge and why? 

A: From early in my career, I 

“I am respectful of the 

balancing act required of 

professional women with 

family responsibilities.” 

aspired to be a member of the 

judiciary. To me it is the perfect 

legal career as it combines intellectual 

challenge and public 

service. It is a privilege and an 

honor to hold this position. My 

judicial career began in 1988 

when I was appointed Acting 

Village Justice in North 

Tarrytown by then Mayor Janet 

Gandolfo. I was the Acting Village 

Justice and Village Justice 

in Irvington from 1990 until 

2010, when I was appointed by 

Governor Patterson to the Supreme 

Court, followed by my 

election that fall. 

Q: What types of cases are 

you presiding over now, and 

what are your greatest challenges? 

A: I am assigned to a civil trial 

part, presiding over jury and 

non-jury matters – tort, contract 

and miscellaneous matters. I 

enjoy being challenged by capable 

attorneys, facilitating 

settlements, and making rulings 

that rest on a solid foundation 

of fact finding and legal principles. 

I maintain courtroom decorum 

in a relaxed atmosphere, 

and let the attorneys try their 

case. The greatest challenge is 

staying timely in deciding the 

high volume of motions. Every 

party’s arguments deserve fair 

consideration and a decision 

based on the facts and the law. 

Q: How has the practice of law 

changed in Westchester over 

the years, in your experience? 

A: The landscape of the legal 

profession in Westchester has 

changed dramatically over the 

past 45 years. As Westchester 

has grown, so too has the number 

and size of the law firms 

who practice here. At Legal Aid 

I was the ninth attorney added 

to the staff. I believe that number 

is now four-fold or more. 

My expectation is that a handshake 

today has the same 

value as it did 45 years ago, 

and that the courts of 

Westchester County are as 

highly regarded now as it they 

were when I started. 

Q: What are your interests 

outside of the law? 

A: I spend time with my family, 

especially my grandsons, 

Joshua, 7 ½ and Justin, 3 ½, 

who live in Irvington. I enjoy 

my ever frustrating time on the 

golf course, doing the New 

York Times crosswords, reading 

about and discussing politics, 

traveling, and of course, 

rooting for the Mets. Lynne 

and I just returned from a wonderful 

river cruise from Paris to 

Normandy and back. The Justice 

Brandeis Law Society trip 

to Cuba in 2015 was amazing! 

Q: How have you combined 

your career with your family 

life? 

Hon. Lawrence H. Ecker 

A: I was fortunate to attend 

most of my children’s sporting 

events, plays and after 

school activities, and continue 

to do so with my grandsons. 

My children worked in our 

office and got a good taste of 

what life in a small firm is 

about. Perhaps that is why 

my daughter is a social worker 

and my son is an educator. 

Working so close to home 

allowed me to engage in a 

variety of civil and charitable 

activities with some ease. 

Q: What would you like to 

accomplish in the years 

ahead? 

A: I recently turned 70 and 

have applied for certification, 

as I hope to remain on the 

Supreme Court bench. I believe 

my years as a jurist have 

been productive, and well received 

by members of the bar, 

and the litigants who have 

appeared before me. I look 

forward to continuing to serve 

the public in this fashion. After 

I leave the bench, who 

knows? It will be the first time, 

literally since high school, that 

there is no defined road to follow. 

That is a very exciting 

proposition. But a hint, I hate 

winter. Fore! ◗ 


Page 7

WWBA Schedule of Upcoming Events 

COMMITTEE DATE/TIME PLACE TOPIC RSVP (also online at www.wwbany.org) 

Board of Directors 

Meeting and General 

Membership Meeting 

1/11/17 

5:30-6:00 pm Board 

Meeting 

6:00-8:00 pm 

General Membership 

Meeting 

BNY Mellon 

701 Westchester Ave 


Ethics Update 2017 CLE 

Register online at 


or email 

executivedirector@wwbany.org 

WWBA Foundation 1/18/17 

5:30-7:30 p.m. 


11 Martine Avenue 

12 th floor 



meeting 

Julie Kattan 

Juliek0601@aol.com 


Meeting and Diversity 

program 

Elder Law, Health Law, 

and Trusts and Estates 

Committees 

2/1/17 

5:30-6:30 Board 

meeting 

6:30-8:30 Diversity 

Program 

2/8/17 

6:00-8:00 p.m. 

Wilson Elser Moskowitz 

Edelman & Dicker LLP 

1133 Westchester Avenue 



11 Martine Avenue 

12 th floor 


Board meeting and 

Diversity program 

Medicaid Planning CLE 

Susan Edwards Colson 

president@wwbany.org 

if you are unable to attend board 

meeting 

register online for program at 

www.wwba.org or email 




or email 


Mediation Committee 2/16/17 

12:00-1:30 


11 Martine Ave, 12 th floor 


Early Intervention: 

Support Services for 

Parents in Conflict 



or email 



Meeting 

3/1/17 

5:30-7:30 pm 

BNY Mellon 

701 Westchester Ave 


Susan Edwards Colson 

president@wwbany.org 

if you are unable to attend 

Diversity Committee 3/28/17 

6:00-7:30 pm 

Wilson Elser Moskowitz 

Edelman & Dicker LLP 

1133 Westchester Avenue 


register online at 

www.wwba.org 

or email 


Unless otherwise indicated, events are for WWBA members and invited guests only. 

The opinions expressed by any program presenter are the presenter’s own, and do not reflect 

the official position of the WWBA. 

WWBA is a chapter of WBASNY, which is an approved provider of CLE credit. Full and partial scholarships for CLE programs based 

on financial need are available. For information on the guidelines and procedures for applying, please contact the person running 

the program. All requests are strictly confidential. All programs are for transitional credit unless the program states otherwise. 

REMEMBER, YOU CAN FIND THE WBASNY WEB PAGE 

AT WWW.WBASNY.ORG. 

PLEASE REMEMBER TO RECYCLE 

Connect 

with 

us 

THE WWBA MEMBERSHIP PERIOD FOR 

2016-2017 BEGAN ON JUNE 1, 2016. 

PLEASE RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP TOD 

ODAY AT 

WWW.WWBANY 

.WWBANY.ORG 

.ORG

WWBA Dec 2016 - Jan 2017 Newsletter - M

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