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WWBA February 2018 Newsletter

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♥ SPECIAL ISSUE IN RECOGNITION OF HEART HEALTH MONTH ♥<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong><br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association<br />

FEBRUARY <strong>2018</strong><br />

HON. LISA MARGARET SMITH RECEIVES<br />

KAY CRAWFORD MURRAY AWARD<br />

Jacqueline Hattar<br />

T<br />

he Honorable Lisa Margaret<br />

Smith, Magistrate Judge for<br />

the United States District<br />

Court, Southern District of New York,<br />

and a <strong>WWBA</strong> Vice President, received<br />

the Kay Crawford Murray award on<br />

January 23, <strong>2018</strong>. The New York<br />

State Bar Association’s Committee on<br />

Women in the Law (CWIL) presented<br />

the award to Judge Smith during a wellattended<br />

luncheon at the NYSBA annual<br />

meeting at the New York Hilton<br />

Midtown.<br />

The Kay Crawford Murray award<br />

honors a NYSBA member, who has<br />

made a substantial contribution to increase<br />

the value of diversity in the legal<br />

profession and advances the pro-<br />

Hon. Lisa Margaret Smith<br />

fessional development of women attorneys. The award is named for Kay Crawford<br />

Murray, past chair of the CWIL, who passed away in January <strong>2018</strong>. <strong>WWBA</strong> past<br />

INSIDE THIS ISSUE<br />

FEBRUARY <strong>2018</strong><br />

An Interview with<br />

Angela Morcone Giannini<br />

(page 5)<br />

LGBTQ 101: The<br />

Intersectionality of Intimate<br />

Partner Violence<br />

(page 6)<br />

Litigation Tip<br />

(page 6)<br />

Upcoming Events<br />

(page 8)<br />

SAVE THE DATE<br />

INSIDE THE<br />

APPELLATE COURT<br />

<strong>February</strong> 13, <strong>2018</strong><br />

Pace University<br />

White Plains, New York<br />

news<br />

www.wwbany.org<br />

continued on page 4 ➥<br />

LUNCH AND LEARN<br />

March 7, <strong>2018</strong><br />

McCarthy Fingar, LLP<br />

White Plains, New York<br />

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP<br />

MEETING – WORKPLACE<br />

SEXUAL HARASSMENT<br />

March 22, <strong>2018</strong><br />

Pace University<br />

White Plains, New York<br />

PRESIDENT’S<br />

MESSAGE<br />

You may have<br />

noticed that we have<br />

“Gone Red” this issue<br />

in recognition of<br />

the fact that <strong>February</strong><br />

is “Heart<br />

Month.” <strong>February</strong><br />

was first designated<br />

as “Heart Month” by<br />

Lisa M. Denig<br />

President Lyndon B.<br />

Johnson in 1964 and has been recognized<br />

as such ever since.<br />

The purpose of “Heart Month” is<br />

to raise awareness of cardiovascular<br />

disease and the numbers are staggering<br />

– on average, someone dies from<br />

cardiovascular disease every 40 seconds.<br />

While many people believe that<br />

heart disease affects mainly men, this is<br />

a myth – heart disease is the number<br />

one leading cause of death for women<br />

and roughly the same number of women<br />

and men die each year from heart attacks<br />

or strokes.<br />

Much has been done in recent years<br />

to raise awareness of this fact. Again,<br />

this month, on <strong>February</strong> 2, <strong>2018</strong>,<br />

women and men will “Go Red” on<br />

National Wear Red Day to bring attention<br />

to what is often termed “the silent<br />

killer.” If you are able to participate in<br />

a “Go Red” event, please take the opportunity<br />

to raise funds and promote<br />

education regarding healthy ways to<br />

avoid cardiovascular disease.<br />

The <strong>WWBA</strong> has been an active<br />

participant in promoting “Heart Month”<br />

in the past and this year will be no exception.<br />

Cardio exercise, in whatever<br />

form you enjoy most, is critical to maincontinued<br />

on page 3 ➥<br />

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


<strong>WWBA</strong> Member <strong>Newsletter</strong><br />

FEBRUARY <strong>2018</strong><br />

Published Monthly by the<br />

Westchester Women’s<br />

Bar Association, a Chapter of<br />

the Women’s Bar Association<br />

of the State of New York<br />

~ 2017/<strong>2018</strong> Officers and Directors ~<br />

President LISA M. DENIG<br />

President-Elect KIM BERG<br />

Vice Presidents<br />

AMANDA C. FRIED JENNIFER L. GRAY HON. LISA M. SMITH<br />

Treasurer<br />

ANGELA MORCONE GIANNINI Recording Secretary NATANYA BRIENDEL<br />

Corresponding Secretary ELIZABETH Z. MARCUS<br />

Immediate Past ast President<br />

SUSAN EDWARDS COLSON<br />

Elected Directors Westchester Board<br />

GAIL M. BOGGIO HÉLÈNE CÔTÉ LONYA A. GILBERT<br />

SHARI R. GORDON ADRIENNE J. ORBACH<br />

State Directors Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York<br />

ROBIN D. CARTON KITLEY S. COVILL SUSAN EDWARDS COLSON<br />

DONNA E. FROSCO MARIAN GENIO THERESA A. GIROLAMO<br />

ANNETTE G. HASAPIDIS JANE SILVERMAN<br />

Executive Director ELISABETH CAMPOS<br />

© Copyright 2017 Westchester Women’s Bar Association. All rights reserved.<br />

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

Editor-in-Chief: Elizabeth Z. Marcus • Designed and Printed by IPM Media Group, Inc. (516) 809-0501<br />

2017-<strong>2018</strong> <strong>WWBA</strong> Committee Chairs<br />

S T A N D I N G C O M M I T T E E S<br />

By-Laws ............................................. Hélène Côté, Anna L. Georgiou<br />

Corporate & Commercial ........................ Lisa M. Bluestein, Eva David<br />

Criminal Law ....... Kitley S. Covill, Lisa M. Denig, Hon. Sandra A. Forster<br />

Families’, Children & the Courts .......... Shari R. Gordon, Joy S. Joseph,<br />

Lauren Morrissey<br />

Grievance/Ethics ............................ Kitley S. Covill, Deborah A. Scalise<br />

Judicial Screening ............... Hon. Sandra A. Forster, Loren I. Glassman<br />

Judiciary .......... Hon. Delores Scott Brathwaite, Hon. Linda S. Jamieson<br />

Lawyering & Parenting .......... Joelle M. Burton, Jana Kosberg-Kleidman<br />

Legislation ................................................. Angela Morcone Gianinni<br />

Matrimonial .......... Robin Carton, Dolores Gebhardt, Lonya A. Gilbert<br />

Annual Dinner ......... Robin D. Carton, Lisa M. Denig, Jennifer L. Gray,<br />

Jennifer N. Netrosio, Katie Wendle<br />

Annual Dinner Souvenir Journal .............................. Andrea Friedman<br />

Appellate Practice ....................... Lisa M. Denig, Hon. Mark C. Dillon,<br />

Hon. Sondra M. Miller, Hon. Robert A. Spolzino<br />

Archive & Historian ..................................................... Susan L. Pollet<br />

Awards .................................................. Elizabeth Barnhard, Kim Berg<br />

Deborah Farber-Kaiser<br />

Bankruptcy ................... Susan Mills Richmond, Wendy Marie Weathers<br />

Breast Cancer Awareness ...................................... Adrienne J. Orbach<br />

Collaborative Law ............................. Kathleen Donelli, Lynn J. Maier,<br />

Hon. Sondra M. Miller<br />

Community Outreach ... Deborah A. Scalise, Hon. Lisa Margaret Smith<br />

Continuing Legal Education ..................................... Ann M. McNulty<br />

Construction ........................................... Aisling Brady, Sushmita Roy<br />

Diversity in Membership ........... Jacqueline Hattar, Stephanie Melowsky<br />

Domestic Violence ........... Natanya L. Briendel, Beth Levy, Audrey Stone<br />

Education Law ....................... Adrienne J. Arkontaky, Julie P. Passman,<br />

Susan Mills Richmond<br />

Elder & Health Law & Reproductive Rights ....... Elizabeth A. Cumming,<br />

Shari R. Gordon, Moira Laidlaw<br />

Employment Law ................................................ Kim Berg, Sara Kula<br />

Environmental & Land Use .......... Lucia Chiocchio, Anna L. Georgiou,<br />

Jennifer L. Gray, Katherine Zalantis<br />

Gender Dynamics ...................................... Hon. Terry Jane Ruderman<br />

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○<br />

A D H O C C O M M I T T E E S<br />

Membership ............................................... Sherry Bishko, Hélène Côté<br />

Networking ............................................ Arin Liebman, Suzanne Volpe<br />

New Lawyers ................................... Elizabeth Z. Marcus, Katie Wendle<br />

Professional Development ......... Susan Edwards Colson, Adam J. Krim,<br />

Stephanie Melowsky<br />

Programs .......................................... Natanya Briendel, Amanda Fried<br />

Public Relations ............................... Joelle M. Burton, Jennifer L. Gray<br />

Real Property ................................... Allyson Magliery, Michelle Murphy<br />

Sponsorship .......................... Susan Edwards Colson, Lucia Chiocchio<br />

Taxation ....................................................................................... TBD<br />

Trusts & Estates ........ Gail M. Boggio, Nancy J. Rudolph, Karen J. Walsh<br />

Golf & Tennis Outing ................................................................ TBD<br />

Holiday Party and Boutique ...... Dolores Gebhardt, Jennifer N. Netrosio<br />

Immigration .............................................................................. TBD<br />

Insurance Law ........................................................................... TBD<br />

Intellectual Property .............. Elizabeth M. Barnhard, Donna E. Frosco,<br />

Theresa O’Rourke Nugent<br />

Judgment Enforcement & Collections .............. Christopher T. Bonante,<br />

Daniel F. Florio, Jr.<br />

Litigation ...................... Angela Morcone Giannini, Jacqueline Hattar<br />

Kimberly Sheehan<br />

Long Range Planning ................ Carla D. Glassman, Linda Markowitz<br />

Ann M. McNulty<br />

Mediation ............................ Amy Carron Day, Hon. Sondra M. Miller,<br />

Lauren S. Morrissey, Abby Rosmarin<br />

Network of Bar Leaders ............................................. Donna E. Frosco<br />

Pace Board of Visitors ................................................ Gail M. Boggio<br />

Past Presidents ........... Jane Bilus Gould, Mary F. Kelly, Linda Markowitz<br />

Practice Management .............. Jamieson L. Keiser, Jennifer N. Netrosio<br />

Wendy Marie Weathers<br />

Pro Bono ........................................... Marian Genio, Natalie Sobchak<br />

Social Media .............. Hélène Côté, Kristen Motel, Jennifer N. Netrosio<br />

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

WCA Board Delegate ............................................ Anthony Morando<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> Foundation President ..................................... Susan S. Brown<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> Representative Director to the WCBA Board .. Dolores Gebhardt<br />

Page 2<br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News


○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○<br />

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President’s Message<br />

from page 1<br />

“Numerous studies<br />

show that working<br />

out with a ‘buddy’<br />

increases long-term<br />

exercise<br />

participation.”<br />

taining heart health. As many of you already<br />

know, I am a certified spin instructor<br />

and I am passionate about getting people<br />

up off the couch. To that end, I will be<br />

conducting a “Learn to Spin” fundraiser<br />

on <strong>February</strong> 10, <strong>2018</strong>, at 1 PM at the<br />

Scarsdale location of New York Sports<br />

Club. The fee for the class is $20 and all<br />

proceeds collected will be donated to the<br />

American Heart Association, through the<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> Foundation.<br />

This class is aimed at people who are<br />

afraid to simply walk in and try a spin class<br />

on their own. I will guide you on how to<br />

properly set up your bike, correct body<br />

alignment, and what the different resistance<br />

levels are and how to achieve them. Then,<br />

I will take you through an abbreviated halfhour<br />

ride where you can put your newfound<br />

knowledge to work. This class will<br />

be a “safe space” for those who may have<br />

been intimidated in this past by this form<br />

of exercise. With the proper guidance and<br />

introduction, you might love it so much<br />

that you become a spin instructor one day<br />

too!<br />

If you cannot attend the spin class or<br />

you simply are not interested in spinning, I<br />

encourage you find a cardio format that<br />

you enjoy, and then invite a friend to join<br />

you in that endeavor. Numerous studies<br />

show that working out with a “buddy” increases<br />

long-term exercise participation.<br />

And, by all means, choose something that<br />

is fun. It can be brisk walking, Zumba<br />

class, swimming, tennis or other team and<br />

individual sports. Raising your heart rate<br />

for at least 45 minutes, 3-4 times a week<br />

should be your goal.<br />

And now I can finally use my catch<br />

phrase in a way that makes sense – Lace<br />

up your sneakers and meet me in spin class<br />

on <strong>February</strong> 10th! ◗<br />

Editor’s Note<br />

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?”<br />

~ Martin Luther King, Jr.<br />

Making Dates and Getting Published<br />

NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS<br />

❑ Deadline for newsletter submissions is the 12th of the month prior to publication (submissions<br />

received after the deadline are subject to the discretion of the editor).<br />

❑ Send submissions as email attachments to Elizabeth Z. Marcus at elizabeth.z.marcus@gmail.com.<br />

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

formatting, other than bold, underline or italics. Authors are encouraged to submit photographs<br />

for publication with their submissions and include a short biographical statement with<br />

their submissions.<br />

❑ Materials submitted allow the <strong>WWBA</strong> a limited copyright and full permission to reprint the<br />

material in any <strong>WWBA</strong> publication or on its website without additional consent.<br />

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

each photograph must be fully identified.<br />

PROGRAM SCHEDULING<br />

❑ First visit the <strong>WWBA</strong> website: www.wwbany.org and click on the calendar at the home page to<br />

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

priority for early submissions.<br />

❑ Contact Elizabeth Z. Marcus at elizabeth.z.marcus@gmail.com to schedule a <strong>WWBA</strong> sponsored<br />

or co-sponsored program, including committee meetings, CLE programs, etc.<br />

❑ Once you have reserved the date with Elizabeth Z. Marcus, proceed with planning your<br />

program and creating your flyer.<br />

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

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

Director. Once approved, please send your final flyer to the Executive Director, Elizabeth Z.<br />

Marcus and the President for publication on the website calendar and the newsletter calendar.<br />

The final flyer will also be emailed to the membership.<br />

❑ We will also consider publicizing programs from outside organizations that may be of interest<br />

to our members.<br />

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

speakers and participants that can be included in an upcoming newsletter. Send your submission<br />

to Elizabeth Z. Marcus, following the guidelines above.<br />

A d v e r t i s i n g R a t e s<br />

Full Page Display Ad<br />

5-10 Issues - $525.00 per issue<br />

1-4 Issues - $575.00 per issue<br />

Half Page Display Ad<br />

5-10 Issues - $275.00 per issue<br />

1-4 Issues - $300.00 per issue<br />

Contacts<br />

Elizabeth Z. Marcus, Corresponding Secretary and <strong>Newsletter</strong> Editor-in-Chief: elizabeth.z.marcus@gmail.com<br />

Natanya Briendel, Programs Committee Co-Chair: nbriendel@law.pace.edu<br />

Amanda C. Fried, Programs Committee Co-Chair: afried@cartonrosoff.com<br />

Lisa M. Denig, President: president@wwbany.org<br />

Ann M. McNulty, CLE Chair: ann.m.mcnulty@morganstanley.com<br />

Elisabeth Campos, Executive Director: executivedirector@wwbany.org<br />

Quarter Page Display Ad<br />

5-10 Issues - $165.00 per issue<br />

1-4 Issues - $180.00 per issue<br />

Business Card Ad<br />

5-10 Issues - $60.00 per issue<br />

1-4 Issues - $75.00 per issue<br />

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

Members - $50.00 first issue; $25.00 each succeeding issue; Non-Members - $75.00 per issue<br />

Back Cover (3/4 page)<br />

5-10 Issues - $650.00 per issue; 1-4 Issues - $700.00 per issue<br />

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

Contact Elizabeth Z. Marcus at elizabeth.z.marcus@gmail.com for any questions regarding advertising.<br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News<br />

Page 3


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○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○<br />

Hon. Lisa Margaret Smith Receives Kay<br />

Crawford Murray Award<br />

from page 1<br />

president, Dolores Gebhardt<br />

was the 2016 recipient of the<br />

Crawford Murray award.<br />

During the January 23rd<br />

luncheon, CWIL chair Susan<br />

Harper and NYSBA president<br />

provided remarks. Pat Angley<br />

and I, co-chairs of the awards<br />

subcommittee, were pleased<br />

to present the award to Judge<br />

Smith.<br />

“Judge Smith’s contributions<br />

as a jurist, coupled with<br />

her commitment to mentoring<br />

and advancing the next generation<br />

of women lawyers,<br />

embodies the ideals of the<br />

Kay Crawford Murray<br />

award,” said Susan Harper,<br />

CWIL chair.<br />

Judge Smith is currently<br />

serving her third term as a<br />

Magistrate Judge. Before her<br />

appointment to the bench,<br />

Judge Smith was an Assistant<br />

United States Attorney in the<br />

Southern District of New York<br />

from 1987 to 1995. She is<br />

also an adjunct professor at<br />

Pace Law School. In 2014,<br />

Judge Smith received the<br />

State Women’s Bar<br />

Association’s Judith S. Kaye<br />

Access to Justice Award.<br />

Judge Smith is a longtime<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> Board member.<br />

She has actively mentored<br />

many women lawyers, including<br />

junior attorneys and<br />

law clerks, and has helped<br />

them in their professional<br />

and personal development<br />

and advancement. She has<br />

organized numerous programs<br />

for the Women’s Bar.<br />

For many years, Judge<br />

Smith, along with <strong>WWBA</strong><br />

past president Deborah<br />

Scalise, has been actively involved<br />

in the <strong>WWBA</strong>’s Take<br />

Your Children to Work Day.<br />

Judge Smith opens up her<br />

courtroom to hundreds of inner<br />

city students, including<br />

young girls and minorities, to<br />

show them how the federal<br />

courts work and to inspire<br />

them to attain future careers<br />

in the legal profession and<br />

judiciary.<br />

We congratulate Judge<br />

Smith on receiving this prestigious<br />

award. ◗<br />

“Judge Smith is a long-time <strong>WWBA</strong><br />

Board member. She has actively<br />

mentored many women lawyers,<br />

including junior attorneys and law<br />

clerks, and has helped them in their<br />

professional and personal<br />

development and advancement.”<br />

A Leader in Serving the<br />

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That’s Sterling.<br />

Expect the highest caliber of personal service and<br />

banking expertise.<br />

Expect extraordinary.<br />

Contact banking professionals experienced in<br />

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or email team556@snb.com<br />

Larry McElroen, Senior Managing Director<br />

Michael Henderson, Senior Managing Director<br />

Anthony Forgione, Managing Director<br />

Moira Kiernan, Managing Director<br />

Luis Rivera, Associate Managing Director<br />

To learn about Sterling’s full suite<br />

of services, visit snb.com.<br />

Member<br />

FDIC<br />

Page 4<br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News


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An Interview with Angela Morcone Giannini<br />

Susan L. Pollet<br />

Chair of the Archive and<br />

Historian Committee<br />

Q: Please tell us about your<br />

involvement with the <strong>WWBA</strong>why<br />

you became a member,<br />

and how you have contributed<br />

to the organization over<br />

the years.<br />

A: I have been a member of<br />

the <strong>WWBA</strong> for over 20 years.<br />

I was introduced to the organization<br />

by my law partner,<br />

Lucille Fontana. Initially, I<br />

volunteered for different<br />

events and then took on the<br />

role of co-chair of the Litigation<br />

committee. That committee<br />

had been dormant for<br />

years and I was active in resurrecting<br />

it with Past Presidents<br />

Donna Frosco and Lisa<br />

Bluestein. Proudly, today Litigation<br />

continues to be an<br />

active committee in our organization.<br />

I started the Litigation<br />

Tip column for our<br />

newsletter which informs our<br />

members of new statutes,<br />

cases and reminders on litigation<br />

tips. I have also held<br />

positions of recording secretary,<br />

state delegate, chair of<br />

the Legislation committee and<br />

this year, treasurer.<br />

“In the last 25 years women<br />

have continued to make strides<br />

in our profession due to the<br />

tenacity, professionalism and<br />

talent of the women of previous<br />

generations.”<br />

ganization. Most importantly,<br />

it is an organization that allows<br />

you to participate based upon<br />

your personal situation in life.<br />

I can share from experience that<br />

as a young associate my participation<br />

was less both due to<br />

my own family commitments<br />

and work commitments. Once<br />

becoming a partner and as my<br />

children grew up, my participation<br />

increased and was welcomed<br />

by the association.<br />

Q: Please tell us about your<br />

legal career, and how it has<br />

developed?<br />

A: While at Fordham University,<br />

I took an elective course,<br />

Constitutional Law. I was a psychology<br />

major and thought for<br />

sure I would go on for my Masters<br />

and perhaps consider<br />

school psychology. After our<br />

first exam, my professor asked<br />

to see me after class. I didn’t<br />

know what to expect and of<br />

course, thought maybe I<br />

bombed his exam. Just the opposite,<br />

he told me that I had<br />

the highest grade in the class<br />

and said I strongly recommend<br />

you apply to law school. While<br />

at Pace Law School, I had the<br />

privilege of interning for the late<br />

Honorable Judge Isaac Rubin<br />

at the Appellate Division Second<br />

Department. I also was a<br />

summer intern at the prestigious<br />

firm of Clark, Gagliardi &<br />

Miller, P.C. and later was hired<br />

Q: In your opinion, why is it<br />

important to be involved in<br />

the <strong>WWBA</strong>?<br />

A: The <strong>WWBA</strong> offers a tremendous<br />

amount of resources<br />

to its members. Some<br />

of these resources include<br />

CLE, discussion panels and<br />

mentoring. Socially, it allows<br />

you to meet other attorneys in<br />

our community both in your<br />

area of practice and in other<br />

areas who you might not otherwise<br />

meet. There are many<br />

long-lasting friendships that<br />

have developed from this orby<br />

the firm. I was fortunate to<br />

become a partner at CGM and<br />

worked there for 28 years learning<br />

each day under the guidance<br />

of renowned trial attorney,<br />

Henry Miller and esteemed<br />

plaintiff’s attorney, Lucille<br />

Fontana. On May 1st of this<br />

year, Lucille and I started our<br />

own firm Fontana Giannini LLP.<br />

Q: What would you like to<br />

accomplish in your career going<br />

forward?<br />

A: Starting my own firm is an<br />

exciting, challenging new adventure.<br />

It is not something I<br />

really envisioned when I became<br />

a lawyer. While it is still<br />

very new, it has proved to be<br />

very rewarding. I hope to continue<br />

to represent victims of<br />

accidents in the areas of personal<br />

injury, premise, auto, labor<br />

and medical malpractice<br />

for many years. Over the years,<br />

I have mentored many law students,<br />

and one day would like<br />

to teach a law class and have<br />

a role in our court system.<br />

Q: What do you think are the<br />

biggest challenges for women<br />

lawyers today?<br />

A: In the last 25 years women<br />

have continued to make strides<br />

in our profession due to the tenacity,<br />

professionalism and talent<br />

of the women of previous<br />

generations. Years ago, I participated<br />

as a group leader in<br />

Angela Morcone Giannini<br />

a state bar committee program<br />

exploring balanced lives<br />

in the practice of law. The<br />

group involved both men and<br />

women and while there were<br />

many important findings, I<br />

think what most impressed me<br />

was the overwhelming feeling<br />

amongst the participants that<br />

there really is no such thing<br />

as a balanced life. It is a fluid<br />

experience both based on our<br />

areas of practice and our own<br />

personal lives. I think recognizing<br />

this early in your career,<br />

especially as women,<br />

can make the practice much<br />

more doable and rewarding.<br />

Q: How have you managed<br />

to juggle your career with<br />

your family life?<br />

A: I was very fortunate to<br />

have a great family network<br />

of support as I started my law<br />

career. In fact, I would like to<br />

dedicate my interview to my<br />

Dad, Anthony J. Morcone,<br />

who passed away last April.<br />

It is a great loss for my family<br />

but his (along with my Mom’s)<br />

nurture, guidance and encouragement,<br />

are responsible<br />

for my family’s achievements<br />

and successes. My husband<br />

continued on page 7 ➥<br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News<br />

Page 5


○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○<br />

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○<br />

<strong>February</strong> Litigation Tip<br />

✦ THE DRIVER AND FAMILY PROTECTION ACT<br />

The Driver and Family Protection Act was recently signed by the Governor to provide further protection<br />

for New York drivers and their families involved in automobile accidents where there are<br />

personal injuries. This law concerns insurance coverage for accidents involving uninsured and<br />

underinsured vehicles known in the industry as UM/SUM coverages. Our Lit Tip addressed<br />

this coverage in the past and this new law makes the coverage automatic on all new automobile<br />

insurance policies.<br />

For those unfamiliar, uninsured coverage provides coverage in the event the tortfeasor vehicle<br />

has no liability insurance for the accident and injuries. Underinsured coverage, sometimes also<br />

referred to supplementary uninsured coverage, provides coverage for the circumstance when the<br />

tortfeasor vehicle does not have enough liability coverage to fully compensate for the injuries<br />

suffered in the accident. Many people confuse liability coverage with uninsured /underinsured<br />

coverage. Liability coverage protects you when you are the tortfeasor and are responsible for the<br />

accident and injury to another. Liability coverage on your policy does not afford you coverage<br />

for your injuries or your family member’s injuries caused by the tortfeasor. Here is an example:<br />

in New York the minimum liability coverage limits on automobile policies is 25,000/50,000. If<br />

you are involved in an automobile accident and the tortfeasor has the minimum coverage of<br />

$25,000 and your injuries are worth $250,000 you would be limited to the tortfeasor’s liability<br />

coverage of $25,000 if you did not have underinsurance coverage. However, if your automobile<br />

policy has underinsurance coverage of $250,000, you will be able to collect the $25,000 from<br />

the tortfeasor’s liability coverage and $225,000 from your own underinsurance coverage. (Underinsurance<br />

does have a set-off provision for the amount collected from the tortfeasor and that<br />

amount must be exhausted to trigger underinsurance. There must also be consent of the underinsurance<br />

carrier to settle).<br />

Written by Angela Morcone Giannini, Co-Chair, Litigation Committee<br />

Other Co-Chairs: Jacqueline Hattar & Kimberly Sheehan<br />

Informative CLE on LGBTQ 101: The Intersectionality of<br />

Intimate Partner Violence<br />

Beth Levy, Esq.<br />

On January 31, <strong>2018</strong> the Domestic<br />

Violence Committee of the <strong>WWBA</strong> hosted<br />

a very informative CLE training, which satisfied<br />

two CLE credits, including the new<br />

CLE requirement of Diversity, Inclusion and<br />

Elimination of Bias (“D & I”).<br />

The program, held at Pace Law School,<br />

featured a diverse panel discussing the intersection<br />

of intimate partner violence in the<br />

LGBTQ community and how we can better<br />

serve our clients in Court. Shepard Verbas,<br />

Program Manager at the LOFT: LGBT Community<br />

Services Center, defined both gender<br />

and sexual identity terms, so that lawyers<br />

can respect our client’s preferred identities.<br />

Eva Dolgin, Deputy Program Officer<br />

at My Sisters’ Place, described how prevalent<br />

intimate partner violence is in the LGBTQ<br />

communities and explained how lawyers<br />

can be more sensitive to our clients’ plights.<br />

And finally, Pamela Howard, Managing Attorney<br />

of the Family Law Practice at My Sisters’<br />

Place led a riveting historical summary<br />

of the new Court of Appeals case, Brooke<br />

B. and what led to the Court of Appeals<br />

Panel at the Diversity CLE<br />

expanding the legal definition of parent to<br />

include non-biological LGBTQ parents of<br />

children. ◗<br />

Page 6<br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News


○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> New Members<br />

The Westchester Women’s Bar Association<br />

proudly welcomes our newest members:<br />

TO PROTECT THE PRIVACY OF OUR MEMBERS,<br />

THIS INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE TO<br />

MEMBERS OF THE <strong>WWBA</strong> ONLY.<br />

Become a New<br />

Member Today<br />

RENEW YOUR<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> MEMBERSHIP TODAY<br />

FOR THE PERIOD<br />

JUNE 1, 2017 TO MAY 31, <strong>2018</strong>.<br />

RENEW NOW! DON’T WAIT!<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> Membership includes<br />

membership to the Women’s Bar<br />

Association of the State of New York<br />

(WBASNY).<br />

January 31, <strong>2018</strong> is the closing date in<br />

order to count the <strong>WWBA</strong> members<br />

towards our certification to WBASNY and<br />

assure our number of delegates.<br />

Renewing before this date will allow our<br />

Westchester Chapter (<strong>WWBA</strong>) to continue<br />

to be a strong presence in our statewide<br />

organization (WBASNY) while you will<br />

enjoy its many benefits, events,<br />

newsletter and CLE programming.<br />

An Interview with<br />

Angela Morcone Giannini<br />

from page 5<br />

and I learned quickly in raising our boys<br />

that there was no set way to juggle it all<br />

and each year brought its own challenges.<br />

I think one key lesson I learned,<br />

which is not easy, is to set your own priorities<br />

and not to let the lifestyle of others<br />

in the profession dictate what works<br />

for you.<br />

Q: What activities are you involved in<br />

outside of the law?<br />

We recently purchased a summer home<br />

which has proved to be a great weekend<br />

get-away! It introduced me to<br />

antiquing and tag sales. I really like<br />

the idea of re-purposing items and the<br />

DIY projects have been a lot of fun. We<br />

also purchased bikes . . . my husband’s<br />

idea for exercise . . . ughh . . . but<br />

actually, it proved to be a good outdoor<br />

workout. As for upcoming<br />

projects, I am in charge of organizing<br />

an extended family event this year where<br />

we will donate our time to prepare, cook<br />

and serve food for those in need.<br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News<br />

Hélène Côté, Sherry A. Bishko,<br />

Elisabeth Campos<br />

It is easy to renew by going to the<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> Website at www.<strong>WWBA</strong>NY.org.<br />

You can use a credit card or<br />

PayPal to make payment.<br />

Page 7


<strong>WWBA</strong> Schedule of Upcoming Events<br />

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

Appellate and Criminal Law<br />

Committees<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> Women in<br />

Professional Transition<br />

Project<br />

2/13/18<br />

12:00 p.m. -<br />

Registration and<br />

Light Lunch<br />

12:30 to 2:30<br />

p.m. - Program<br />

3/2/18<br />

1:00 p.m.<br />

Board of Directors Meeting 3/7/18<br />

5:30-7:30 p.m.<br />

Mediation Committee 3/7/18<br />

12:00-1:45 p.m.<br />

Brown bag lunch<br />

The Pace Women’s Justice<br />

Center and <strong>WWBA</strong><br />

General Membership<br />

Meeting<br />

3/22/18<br />

5:30-6:00 p.m.<br />

Registration<br />

6:00-8:00 p.m.<br />

Program<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> Book Club 4/3/18<br />

6:00 p.m.<br />

Board of Directors Meeting 4/4/18<br />

5:30-7:30 p.m.<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> Women in<br />

Professional Transition<br />

Project<br />

4/6/18<br />

1:00 p.m.<br />

Elisabeth Haub School of<br />

Law at Pace University<br />

Moot Court Room<br />

78 North Broadway,<br />

White Plains, NY<br />

445 Café<br />

445 Hamilton Ave.<br />

White Plains, NY<br />

(Parking is available in<br />

the garage next door;<br />

follow signs for “office<br />

parking”)<br />

BNY Mellon<br />

701 Westchester Ave.<br />

White Plains, NY<br />

McCarthy Fingar, LLP<br />

11 Martine Avenue<br />

12 th Floor<br />

White Plains, NY<br />

Elisabeth Haub School of<br />

Law at Pace University<br />

Tudor Room<br />

78 North Broadway<br />

White Plains, NY<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> member<br />

Donna Drumm’s House<br />

Greenwich, CT<br />

BNY Mellon<br />

701 Westchester Ave.<br />

White Plains, NY<br />

445 Café<br />

445 Hamilton Ave.<br />

White Plains, NY<br />

(Parking is available in<br />

the garage next door;<br />

follow signs for “office<br />

parking”)<br />

“Inside the Appellate<br />

Court”<br />

Sitting Justices of the<br />

Appellate Division,<br />

Second Department,<br />

will discuss oral<br />

argument, brief writing,<br />

how the Court decides a<br />

case, and tips and tricks<br />

from the Bench.<br />

Participants are<br />

encouraged to attend<br />

oral arguments<br />

presented that morning<br />

from 10 a.m. to Noon.<br />

Two (2) CLE credits –<br />

Professional Practice<br />

“First Fridays” with the<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong>’s Women in<br />

Professional Transition<br />

Project<br />

Lunch and Learn:<br />

Issues Related to<br />

Representation in<br />

Family and Divorce<br />

Mediation<br />

Perspectives on Sexual<br />

Harassment in the<br />

Workplace in the Wake<br />

of #MeToo<br />

Two (2) CLE credits –<br />

Professional Practice<br />

*Pending approval<br />

Third Meeting of the<br />

Newly Created <strong>WWBA</strong><br />

Book Club<br />

Book:<br />

“Sisters in Law: How<br />

Ruth Bader Ginsburg<br />

and Sandra Day<br />

O’Connor Went to the<br />

Supreme Court and<br />

Changed the World”<br />

“First Fridays” with the<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong>’s Women in<br />

Professional Transition<br />

Project<br />

Online at www.wwbany.org or<br />

email<br />

executivedirector@wwbany.org<br />

No RSVP necessary<br />

For more information go to<br />

www.wwbany.org<br />

For questions or if you are not able<br />

to attend contact:<br />

Lisa Denig at<br />

president@wwbany.org<br />

RSVP to<br />

arosmarin@mccarthyfingar.com<br />

RSVP by: March 12, <strong>2018</strong> online<br />

at www.wwbany.org or email<br />

executive director@wwbany.org<br />

FOR QUESTIONS CONTACT:<br />

Natanya L. Briendel, Esq. at<br />

nbriendel@law.pace.edu<br />

Register online at<br />

www.wwbany.org<br />

For questions or if you are not able<br />

to attend contact:<br />

Lisa Denig at<br />

president@wwbany.org<br />

No RSVP necessary<br />

For more information go to<br />

www.wwbany.org<br />

REMEMBER, YOU CAN FIND THE WBASNY WEB PAGE<br />

AT WWW.WBASNY.ORG.<br />

PLEASE REMEMBER TO RECYCLE<br />

Connect<br />

with<br />

us<br />

THE <strong>WWBA</strong> MEMBERSHIP PERIOD FOR<br />

2017-<strong>2018</strong> BEGINS ON JUNE 1, 2017.<br />

PLEASE RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP TOD<br />

ODAY AT<br />

WWW.<strong>WWBA</strong>NY<br />

.<strong>WWBA</strong>NY.ORG<br />

.ORG

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