WWBA February Newsletter

♥ SPECIAL ISSUE IN RECOGNITION OF HEART HEALTH MONTH ♥ 

WWBA 

Westchester Women’s Bar Association 

FEBRUARY 2017 

Ethics Program Answers Tough Questions 

Lisa Denig 

W 

hat do you get when you mix a stellar panel of ethics experts, several lawyersturned-actors, 

and a deeply engaged group of attendees? The WWBA’s 

annual Ethics Update CLE program and General Membership Meeting! 

This year’s Ethics Update CLE, co-sponsored by the White Plains Bar Association, 

was an interesting and informative review of the recent Court of Appeals decision, 

Matter of Peter Galasso, 19 NY3d 688 (2012). Deftly presented by the attorney who 

argued the case on behalf of the Grievance Committee, Matthew Lee-Renert, the case 

presented an intricate fact pattern that illustrated several key ethics issues of which 

attorneys should be aware. 

continued on page 5 ➥ 

Felicia Berenson-Reinhardt, Deborah A. Scalise, Matthew Lee-Rennert, 

Jorge Dopico, Dolores Gebhardt, Hon. Jeffrey S. Sunshine 

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 

FEBRUARY 2017 

Upcoming Diversity 

Program with Judge Rivera 

(page 4) 

An Interview with 

Kitley Covill 

(page 6) 

Chapter News and 

Announcements 

(page 7) 

WWBA Upcoming Events 

(page 8) 

SAVE THE DATE 

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News 

news 

www.wwbany.org 

WWBA BOARD MEETING 

AND LECTURE SERIES 

ON DIVERSITY IN THE 

LEGAL PROFESSION 

PROGRAM 

February 1, 2017 

Wilson Elser 

White Plains, New York 

STRATEGIES FOR 

MEDICAID PLANNING 

AND ASSET 

PROTECTION 

February 8, 2017 

McCarthy Fingar 


PRESIDENT’S 

MESSAGE 

It is February, 

one of my favorite 

times of the year. 

Really! I like it because 

this month is 

short, dark and full 

of celebrations. My 

spouse, who hails 

from northern Minnesota, 

would add 

“joyously cold” to this 

list and he swears 

Susan Edwards 

Colson 

February is the most “comfortably brisk 

month.” I will stop short of adding cold 

to my list of positive February attributes. 

Predictably, our annual thermostat battle 

will end as the weather softens in Spring. 

It always does. 

Let me explain my list of reasons I 

enjoy this time of year. First, “short” is 

self-explanatory, with only 28 days in the 

month, before you know it Spring is here. 

“Dark” is soothing. Dark days allow for 

rest and regrouping. 

In his book, River of Light, Rabbi 

Lawrence Kushner says: 

“Without the dark womb of sleep, 

there could be no sensation of light, 

emergence of consciousness, or 

place to which to return. In the darkness 

there is no arrangement of past 

and future, no self-reflection, no ego, 

no neurosis. All genuine creating 

must originate in the darkness.” 

His words not only capture my feelings 

exactly but also honor the mystery 

of darkness that allows new beginnings. 

Finally, “February celebrations” are 

many. We have Valentines’ Day, Lincoln’s 

Birthday, as well as Washington’s birthday 

which fill the short days with minor 

continued on page 3 ➥ 

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 

FEBRUARY 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 

Page 2 

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News

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President’s Message 

from page 1 

holidays and manageable revelry. 

The word February itself is born from 

the Latin word Februarius, from Latin 

februare meaning to “purify” or “expiate.” 

In ancient Rome, Februarius was the 

“Month of Purification” and great festivities 

were held to reestablish the empire’s focus 

on righteous living. 

Keeping with this spirit of righteous living, 

our February newsletter “Goes Red” in 

recognition of Heart Health Awareness 

Month. We cannot be reminded often 

enough that heart disease is the number 

one cause of death. Attention to a few items 

can make a huge difference in our quality 

of life. The American Heart Association’s 

refers to these as the “Simple Seven”: 

1. Get active 

Thirty minutes of moderate physical activity 

each day (like brisk walking), five times per 

week, can almost guarantee a healthier and 

more satisfying life while lowering your risks 

for heart disease, stroke and diabetes. 

2. Control cholesterol 

When you control your cholesterol, you are 

giving your arteries their best chance to remain 

clear of blockages. These blockages 

lead to heart disease and stroke. 

3. Eat better 

Healthy foods are the fuel our bodies use to 

make new cells and create the energy we 

need to thrive and fight diseases. If you are 

frequently skipping out on veggies, fruit, lowfat 

dairy, fiber-rich whole grains, and lean 

meats, including fish, your body is missing 

the basic building blocks for a healthy life. 

4. Manage blood pressure 

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, 

means the blood running through 

your arteries flows with too much force and 

puts pressure on your arteries, stretching 

them past their healthy limit. 

5. Lose weight 

If you have too much fat – especially if a lot 

of it is at your waist – you are at higher risk 

for health problems such as high blood 

pressure, high blood cholesterol and diabetes. 

Even losing as few as five or ten 

pounds can produce a dramatic blood pressure 

reduction. 

6. Reduce blood sugar 

Most of the food we eat is turned into glucontinued 

on page 7 ➥ 

Editor’s Note 

“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” 

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson 

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. 


Page 3

Diversity Program Featuring 

Judge Jenny Rivera as 

Guest Speaker 

Jacqueline Hattar 

On February 1, 2017, 

the WWBA’s Diversity, Litigation 

& Appellate Practice 

Committees will join forces 

with the New York State Bar 

Association’s Committee on 

Diversity and Inclusion to 

present a panel discussion 

on Diversity in the Legal Profession. 

The program, which 

will be held from 6:00 p.m. 

to 7:30 p.m., will follow the 

WWBA’s Board meeting that 

will begin at 5:30 p.m. at 

Wilson Elser’s office located 

at 1133 Westchester Avenue 

in White Plains. The special 

guest speaker will be the 

Honorable Jenny Rivera, 

Associate Judge of the New 

York State Court of Appeals. 

The other panelists will in- 

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clude, Jacqueline Hattar, a 

partner at Wilson Elser, 

Maria Matos, the Executive 

Secretary for the Committee 

on Character and Fitness for 

the New York State Appellate 

Division, First Department, 

and Stephanie 

Melowsky, Vice President at 

Putnam Mutual Savings 

Bank. The panelists will provide 

their perspectives on 

diversity and inclusion during 

this interactive roundtable 

discussion. 

WWBA members may 

register online to attend the 

program by January 25, 

2017. Space is limited to 

members of the sponsoring 

organizations and invited 

guests. There is no cost to 

attend and a light supper will 

be provided. ◗ 

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 

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That’s Sterling. 

Expect the highest caliber of personal 

service and banking expertise. 

Expect extraordinary. 

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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Ethics Program Answers Tough Questions 

from page 1 

Further highlighting these issues were 

a handful of attorneys/thespians who acted 

out an hysterically funny hypothetical case 

giving the panel - which included the Honorable 

Jeffrey S. Sunshine (Supervising 

Judge for Matrimonial Matters, Kings 

County), Jorge Dopico, Esq. (Chief Counsel 

of the First Judicial Department Disciplinary 

Committee), Matthew Lee-Renert, 

Esq. (Staff Counsel of the First Department 

Disciplinary Committee), and Deborah 

Scalise, Esq. (Scalise and Hamilton, LLP) - 

the opportunity to comment on the characters’ 

choices. In the ensuing scenes, Joe 

Lifeodapardi (played by Deb Scalise) is an 

attorney who meets with Cecil “C” Noevil 

(played by Matthew Lee-Renert) in order to 

lay the groundwork for Mr. Lifeodarpi’s 

impending divorce. Hedda Nuff (played 

by Natanya Briendel) first meets with attorney 

Ama Matrimonio (played by Felicia 

Natanya Briendel and Dolores Gebhardt 

Natanya Briendel and Felicia 

Berenson-Reinhardt 

Berenson-Reinhardt) but later fires her and 

hires attorney Gedda Dunn (played by 

Dolores Gebhardt). The play culminated 

in a volatile courtroom scene in front of 

the Honorable Y. R. U’here (played by Kitley 

Covill), showcasing well-known movie 

courtroom dialogue that left the crowd 

laughing. 

Although the tone of the skit was lighthearted, 

the issues addressed by the panel 

afterward were serious and discussed in 

depth. The panel spoke about Joe 

Lifeodarpi’s filing of a false statement of 

net worth and his attorney’s certification 

of that false statement. Ms. Scalise gave 

specific instructions as to how attorneys 

could handle this situation, citing the Rules 

that allow attorneys to move to correct the 

statement or, in the words of Ms. Scalise, 

“make a noisy withdrawal.” The panel 

noted that most disciplinary hearings are 

the result of conduct involving fraud. 

The panel further noted that a charge 

of criminal contempt will always trigger a 

disciplinary investigation and that a finding 

from the court or even a referral from 

the Federal court, would set the wheels of 

a disciplinary proceeding in motion. 

Other key points reinforced by the 

panel were that attorneys should always 

memorialize everything in writing for their 

clients so there is no question after the fact 

regarding what had occurred or been said 

during meetings. They also discussed how 

to handle a situation where your client is 

exhibiting signs of a mental health issue. 

Finally, referring back to the Galasso case, 

the panel reiterated that attorneys must be 

aware that they are responsible for the work 

done by their paralegals. 

Many thanks to the panel, the actor/ 

lawyers, and moderator Kitley Covill, who 

steered the night’s informative, engrossing 

and entertaining discussion. ◗ 

Matthew Lee-Rennert and Deborah Scalise 

Westchester Women’s Bar Association New Members 

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

TO PROTECT THE PRIVACY OF OUR MEMBERS, 

THIS INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS OF THE WWBA ONLY. 


Page 5

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An Interview with Kitley S. Covill 

Susan L. Pollet 

Chair of the Archive and 

Historian Committee 

Q. What prompted you to 

join the WWBA? How long 

have you been involved in 

the organization and in 

which capacities? 

A. I was encouraged to join 

the WWBA by a fellow 

WWBA member a number 

of years ago. I am currently 

Co-Chair of the Criminal 

Law Committee and the Ethics 

Committee. I was previously 

Co-Chair of the 

Domestic Violence Committee. 

I am also currently 

a State Director. 

Q. Tell us about your legal 

career and what you hope 

to accomplish professionally 

in the future? 

A. I have been an Assistant 

District Attorney, counsel to 

municipalities including 

Westchester County, worked 

at Legal Services of the 

Hudson Valley, been in private 

practice and most recently 

was the first female 

Inspector General for the 

City of Yonkers. I am currently 

the principal of a consulting 

firm that provides 

compliance guidance on 

workplace integrity and Title 

IX. I would like to further 

the ideals created in the 

compliance field by working 

for an organization, as 

I think compliance and 

transparency are the only 

avenues for equal access to 

resources, particularly for 

women. 

“Anyone entering the legal field today 

should find a mentor, such as someone 

who has held several legal positions 

and can serve as a resource . . . In 

speaking with younger women, I find 

they are more inclined to find a 

mentor or mentors and I would 

especially encourage new attorneys 

to reach out and ask for help.” 

ment and how you are involved 

in that. 

A. When I rejoined the 

Westchester County Attorney’s 

office I immediately became 

involved in some significant 

compliance issues. I found 

compliance compelling, particularly 

because it 

complimented what comes 

naturally to attorneys: reading 

the rules and regulations 

and advising and creating 

circumstances that make compliance 

easy. I believe compliance 

levels the playing 

field, meaning clarifying and 

applying the rules to all, 

thereby providing everyone 

with equal access to resources 

and opportunities. 

Title IX should do just that. 

My interest in Title IX was 

piqued after I left the Inspector 

General position, because 

it was clear that many educational 

institutions were unaware 

of the obligations imposed 

by Title IX as it relates 

to sexual misconduct. I became 

certified as a Title IX 

Coordinator and started advising 

educational institutions 

after reviewing specific campus 

policies. I also taught a 

number of CLEs as I believe 

that reformation of Title IX will 

Q. Tell us about your interest 

in the area of Title IX and 

specifically sexual harassonly 

occur as attorneys tackle 

some of the significant legal 

issues in this area. 

Q. What advice do you have 

for women entering the legal 

profession? 

A. Anyone entering the legal 

field today should find a mentor, 

such as someone who 

has held several legal positions 

and can serve as a resource. 

As I review my legal 

career now I wish I had had 

someone with a varied legal 

career who could see the bigger 

picture and provide me 

with guidance. In speaking 

with younger women, I find 

they are more inclined to find 

a mentor or mentors and I 

would especially encourage 

new attorneys to reach out 

and ask for help. 

Q. What do you think are 

the most pressing legal issues 

involving women, children 

and families today? 

A. I know the WWBA awards 

a “family friendly” honor to 

firms who affirmatively embrace 

a work/life balance. 

Particularly as we see the 

workplace morph into a 24/ 

7 environment, I believe it is 

critical that women insist on 

Kitley S. Covill 

accommodations that carve 

out time to have other interests. 

Q. When you are not involved 

in legal work, what 

are your other interests? 

A. I have always been a volunteer. 

Currently I am the 

Co-President of the Board 

of Directors of the YWCA 

and a worker at the Community 

Center of Northern 

Westchester. 

Q. What would you like to 

see the WWBA help 

achieve going forward? 

A. I would love to see an 

expansion of the reading to 

elementary students that 

happens only in one school 

right now. I would also like 

to see the WWBA become 

a stand-alone CLE provider 

as it is difficult to navigate 

the various requirements 

right now. I would also like 

to see more strategic partnerships 

with other women’s 

organizations in the County, 

but of course I am partial 

to the YWCA, whose mission 

is empowering women 

and eliminating racism. ◗ 

Page 6 


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Chapter News and Announcements 

Announcements & Notes on Members 

❑ Jacqueline Hattar, who is a partner at Wilson Elser Moskowitz 

Edelman & Dicker, LLP, and co-chair of the WWBA’s Diversity Committee, 

has been chosen as a Diversity Champion by the Westchester 

County and Fairfield County business journals. Ms. Hattar and 39 

other business leaders in the Westchester and Fairfield County communities 

were honored for their extraordinary leadership qualities, ongoing 

commitment to personal and professional development, and 

outstanding accomplishments in their business sectors. Ms. Hattar 

was profiled in the December 19, 2016 edition of the Westchester/ 

Fairfield County Business Journals and will be honored at a luncheon hosted by the 

publisher on April 4, 2017. ◗ 

Classifieds 

❑ Attractive furnished and very reasonably priced interior office in congenial suite with 

possible overflow work. Rent to include reception, phone, copying, library, conference 

room, free parking, and easy access to I287 from Exit 4. Email linda@rosemarklaw.com 

for further information. ◗ 

President’s Message 

from page 3 


Jacqueline 

Hattar 

cose (or blood sugar) that our bodies use for energy. Controlling glucose levels greatly 

decreases the risk of heart disease and stroke. 

7. Stop smoking 

Cigarette smokers have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Smoking 

damages your entire circulatory system and increases your risk for coronary heart disease, 

hardened arteries, aneurysm and blood clots. Like a line of tumbling dominoes, one risk 

creates another. Blood clots and hardened arteries increase your risks for heart attack, 

stroke and peripheral artery disease. Smoking can also reduce your good cholesterol 

(HDL) and your lung capacity, making it harder to get the physical activity you need. 

These lifestyle changes are not only critical but just good common sense. I realize 

that many of us are too busy taking care of others and managing our own hectic lives to 

focus on and implement all of these measures but if we do not take care of ourselves we 

will not be healthy enough to continue caring for others and living our lives to the fullest. 

I want to give special thanks to BNY/Mellon, a WWBA Emerald Sponsor, for the use 

of their well-appointed facility. Last month, the General Membership Meeting featured 

Deb Scalise’s wonderful annual Ethic’s Update. Our thanks to Kitley Covill for moderating 

and special thanks to participants Hon. Jeffrey Sunshine, Chief Counsel Jorge Dopiso 

and Staff Counsel Mathew Lee-Renert for offering so many insights. This program, cosponsored 

with the White Plains Bar Association, is always a highlight and this year was 

no exception. Thanks also to our Diversity Committee, chaired by Jackie Hatter and 

Stephanie Melowsky, who joined with the Litigation and Appellate Practice Committee to 

bring us the powerhouse panel of Hon. Jenny Rivera and Maria Matos, as well as long 

time committee chairs Jackie and Stephanie. This panel was sponsored jointly with the 

NYS Bar Association’s Committee on Diversity and Inclusion and will offer a great perspective 

on why diversity is important to each one of us as we practice law. 

Gratitude also to the Elder Law/Health Law under the leadership of Pat Angley, 

Elizabeth Cumming and Shari Gordon for joining with the Trusts and Estates committee 

and bringing us a series of Medicaid Planning workshops this year. Coming up next will 

be “Strategies for Medicaid Planning and Asset Protection” on February 8, 2017. 

Spring is coming! Please visit our website (wwbany.org) to learn more about and 

how to register for the WWBA’s upcoming programs. ◗ 

Become a New 

Member Today 

RENEW YOUR 

WWBA MEMBERSHIP TODAY 

FOR THE PERIOD 

JUNE 1, 2016 TO MAY 31, 2017. 

RENEW NOW! DON’T WAIT! 

WWBA Membership includes 

membership to the Women’s Bar 

Association of the State of New York 

(WBASNY). 

January 31, 2017 is the closing date in 

order to count the WWBA members 

towards our certification to WBASNY and 

assure our number of delegates. 

Renewing before this date will allow our 

Westchester Chapter (WWBA) to continue 

to be a strong presence in our statewide 

organization (WBASNY) while you will 

enjoy its many benefits, events, 

newsletter and CLE programming. 

Hélène Côté, Sherry A. Bishko, 

Elisabeth Campos 

It is easy to renew by going to the 

WWBA Website at www.WWBANY.org. 

You can use a credit card or 

PayPal to make payment. 

Page 7

WWBA Schedule of Upcoming Events 

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

Board of Directors 

Meeting and Diversity, 

Litigation and Appellate 

Practice Committees 

Elder Law/ Health Law, 

and Trusts & Estates 

Committees 

2/1/17 

5:30-6:00 Board 

meeting 

6:00 Registration for 

6:15-7:30 Diversity 

Program 

2/8/17 

5:30 Registration for 

Program 6:00-8:00 

p.m. 

WWBA Foundation 2/8/17 

5:30 p.m. 

Mediation Committee 2/16/17 

12:00-1:30 p.m. 


Meeting 

3/1/17 

5:30-7:30 p.m. 

Matrimonial Committee 3/7/17 

5:30 Registration and 

Networking 

6:00-8:00 p.m. 

program 

Education Law Committee 3/8/17 

6:00-8:00 p.m. 

Elder/Health Law and 

New Lawyers Committees 

3/15/17 

12:30-2:00 p.m. 

Diversity Committee 3/28/17 

6:00-7:30 pm 

Mediation Committee 3/30/17 

evening 

Wilson Elser Moskowitz 

Edelman & Dicker LLP 

1133 Westchester Avenue 



11 Martine Avenue 

12 th floor 


TBA 


11 Martine Ave, 12 th floor 


BNY Mellon 

701 Westchester Ave 


TBA 

TBA 

Glassman & Brown, LLP 

99 Court Street, 2 nd floor 


Wilson Elser Moskowitz 

Edelman & Dicker LLP 

1133 Westchester Avenue 


TBA 

Board meeting and A 

Continuing Lecture 

Series on Diversity in the 

Legal Profession 

Strategies for Medicaid 

Planning and Asset 

Protection 


Meeting 

Early Intervention: 

Support Services for 

Parents in Conflict 

Whatever Happened to 

Prichep?: Counsel Fees 

in Matrimonial Actions 

and Family Court 

In School & After 

School: 

Accommodations for 

your Clients 

Elder Law 101: Part II 

Medicaid Planning, Wills 

and Powers of Attorney, 

Advance Planning for 

Health Care Decisions, 

Senior Housing Options 

Diversity Program 

Medical Bioethics and 

Family Conversations 

Susan Edwards Colson 

president@wwbany.org 

if you are unable to attend. 

Register online for program at 

www.wwba.org or email 

john.bertran@wilsonelser.com 

Register online at 


or email 

executivedirector@wwbany.org 

RSVP to Juliek0601@aol.com 



or email 


Susan Edwards Colson 

president@wwbany.org 

if you are unable to attend 

For information contact 

Dgebhardt@mccarthyfingar.com 



For more information contact 

passmanspecialed@gmail.com 



or email 


register online at 

www.wwba.org 

or email 


For information contact 

abby.rosmarin@gmail.com 

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 February Newsletter

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