WWBA April 2018 Newsletter

Westchester Women’s Bar Association 

APRIL 2018 

WWBA 

WWBA General Membership Meeting 

Presents Perspectives on Sexual 

Harassment in the Workplace in the 

Wake of #MeToo 

Tanya Briendel 

T 

he Spring General Membership 

Meeting was held 

the evening of March 22, 

2018 at the Elisabeth Haub School 

of Law at Pace University. Fifty 

people attended an excellent presentation 

entitled “Perspectives on 

Sexual Harassment in the Wake of 

#MeToo.“ The esteemed panel consisted 

of the Honorable Lisa M. Smith, 

District Court for the Southern District 

of New York, the Honorable Linda 

Jamieson, Supreme Court 

Westchester County, Kim Berg, Esq., 

Gould & Berg, LLP, Susan Corcoran, 

Esq., Jackson Lewis, P.C. and was 

moderated by Sara Kula, Esq., 

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 


WWBA Participates in 

Read Across America 

(page 4) 

An Interview with 

Hon. Larry Schwartz 

(page 7) 

Litigation Tip: E-filing 

Reaches Appellate Division 

(page 9) 

Upcoming Events 

(page 12) 

continued on page 5 ➥ 

General Membership Meeting Panel 

Susan Corcoran, Esq., Hon. Linda Jamieson, 

Hon. Lisa M. Smith, Kim Berg, Esq., and Sara 

Kula, Esq. 

SAVE THE DATE 

RESOLVING FAMILY 

DISPUTES 

COLLABORATIVELY 

April 17, 2018 

McCarthy Fingar, LLP 

White Plains, New York 

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News 

news 

www.wwbany.org 

JURY SELECTION 

AND RACE 

April 24, 2018 

Keane & Beane, P.C. 

White Plains, New York 

WWBA ANNUAL DINNER 

June 6, 2018 

Mamaroneck Beach & Yacht Club 

Mamaroneck, New York 

PRESIDENT’S 

MESSAGE 

I saw the first, 

purple crocus valiantly 

pushing itself 

heavenward in my 

front yard yesterday 

and I could not 

help but feel a 

glimmer of hope 

that this gray and Lisa M. Denig 

difficult winter 

might just be behind us at last. Funny, 

how these smallest and most fragile 

of spring flowers are the first to muster 

up the energy and strength to burst 

from the hardened soil and bring 

with them the exuberant message of 

spring. 

This thought quickly reminded 

me of the recent book read and discussed 

by the WWBA Book Club – 

“Sisters In Law: How Sandra Day 

O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg 

Went to the Supreme Court and 

Changed the World.” Justice 

Ginsburg, who turned 85 years old 

on March 15, 2018, could not be 

any tinier and often appears frail and 

fragile, but, oh, the power and exuberance 

she brought to her work as 

an attorney advancing women’s 

rights and, now, as a Supreme Court 

Justice, ensuring that those rights are 

not trampled. 

It was inspiring to read about her 

prodigious body of work at the ACLU 

and her unflagging determination to 

constantly “push the envelope” in her 

quest for equality. While most of the 


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 


Published Monthly by the 

Westchester Women’s 

Bar Association, a Chapter of 

the Women’s Bar Association 

of the State of New York 

~ 2017/2018 Officers and Directors ~ 

President LISA M. DENIG 

President-Elect KIM BERG 

Vice Presidents 

AMANDA C. FRIED JENNIFER L. GRAY HON. LISA M. SMITH 

Treasurer 

ANGELA MORCONE GIANNINI Recording Secretary NATANYA BRIENDEL 

Corresponding Secretary ELIZABETH Z. MARCUS 

Immediate Past ast President 

SUSAN EDWARDS COLSON 

Elected Directors Westchester Board 

GAIL M. BOGGIO HÉLÈNE CÔTÉ LONYA A. GILBERT 

SHARI R. GORDON ADRIENNE J. ORBACH 

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

ROBIN D. CARTON KITLEY S. COVILL SUSAN EDWARDS COLSON 

DONNA E. FROSCO MARIAN GENIO THERESA A. GIROLAMO 

ANNETTE G. HASAPIDIS 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: Elizabeth Z. Marcus • Designed and Printed by IPM Media Group, Inc. (516) 809-0501 

2017-2018 WWBA Committee Chairs 

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

By-Laws ............................................. Hélène Côté, 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 

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, 

Jennifer N. Netrosio, Katie Wendle 

Annual Dinner Souvenir Journal .............................. Andrea Friedman 

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

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

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

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

Deborah Farber-Kaiser 

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

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

Collaborative Law ............................. Kathleen Donelli, Lynn J. Maier, 

Hon. Sondra M. Miller 

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

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

Construction ........................................... Aisling Brady, Sushmita Roy 

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

Domestic Violence ........... Natanya L. Briendel, Beth Levy, Audrey Stone 

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

Susan Mills Richmond 

Elder & Health Law & Reproductive Rights ....... Elizabeth A. Cumming, 

Shari R. Gordon, Moira Laidlaw 

Employment Law ................................................ Kim Berg, Sara Kula 

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 ............................................ Arin Liebman, Suzanne Volpe 

New Lawyers ................................... Elizabeth Z. Marcus, Katie Wendle 

Professional Development ......... Susan Edwards Colson, Adam J. Krim, 

Stephanie Melowsky 

Programs .......................................... Natanya Briendel, Amanda Fried 

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

Real Property ................................... Allyson Magliery, Michelle Murphy 

Sponsorship .......................... Susan Edwards Colson, Lucia Chiocchio 

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

Trusts & Estates ........ Gail M. Boggio, Nancy J. Rudolph, Karen J. Walsh 

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

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

Immigration .............................................................................. TBD 

Insurance Law ........................................................................... TBD 

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 ................ 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 

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

Practice Management .............. Jamieson L. Keiser, Jennifer N. Netrosio 

Wendy Marie Weathers 

Pro Bono ........................................... Marian Genio, Natalie Sobchak 

Social Media .............. Hélène Côté, Kristen Motel, Jennifer N. Netrosio 

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

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

WWBA Foundation President ..................................... Susan S. Brown 

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 

“Too often women – 

especially those of us 

who hover around 

five feet tall – are 

immediately judged 

to be meek and frail 

and must work 

doubly hard to be 

taken seriously 

whether it be in the 

courtroom or in other 

phases of our very 

complicated, very 

demanding lives” 

nation is now quite aware of what a 

powerhouse she is, I wonder if, early in 

her career, her small stature lulled opposition 

attorneys into a sense of false 

complacency! She is my first inspiring 

“crocus” of this spring. 

In last month’s column, I briefly mentioned 

the group of young gymnasts 

who stood to face their abuser at the 

sentencing proceeding after he was 

convicted of sexually assaulting them. 

Nearly 200 young women, most of 

whom barely stood five-feet tall, conjured 

up the bravery and courage to 

tell their stories and urge the judge to 

hold the defendant responsible for the 

damage he had done. 

Rachel Denhollander, the first 

woman to accuse Larry Nassar of sexually 

abusing her, implored the Court: 

“How much is a little girl worth?” Aly 

Raisman, the Olympic gold-medal winning 

gymnast, stopped several times 

during her speech to glare defiantly at 

Nassar, refusing to cower in the presence 

of the man who had repeatedly 

hurt her. These petite heroines are also 

like the tiny crocuses in my yard, bravely 

throwing off the dark and heavy soil of 

shame and confusion and, perhaps 


Editor’s Note 

“A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman.” 

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 Elizabeth Z. Marcus at elizabeth.z.marcus@gmail.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 Elizabeth Z. Marcus at elizabeth.z.marcus@gmail.com to schedule a WWBA sponsored 

or co-sponsored program, including committee meetings, CLE programs, etc. 

❑ Once you have reserved the date with Elizabeth Z. Marcus, 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, Elizabeth Z. 

Marcus 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 Elizabeth Z. Marcus, following the guidelines above. 

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

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Contacts 

~ Melinda Gates 

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

Natanya Briendel, Programs Committee Co-Chair: nbriendel@law.pace.edu 

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

Lisa M. Denig, President: president@wwbany.org 

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

Elisabeth Campos, Executive Director: executivedirector@wwbany.org 

Quarter Page Display Ad 



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

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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. 

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WWBA PARTICIPATES IN READ ACROSS 

AMERICA DAY IN YONKERS 

Jacqueline Hattar, Esq. 

The WWBA celebrated Read Across 

America Day on March 2, 2018 at the 

Eugenio Maria de Hostos MicroSociety 

School in Yonkers, New York. 

It is a pre-kindergarten 

through eighth grade school 

with over 600 students located 

in southwest Yonkers, 

and its minority enrollment is 

approximately 97 percent of 

the student body. The volunteers 

included Shari Gordon, 

Stephanie Melowsky 

and Julie Passman. 

The staff, students and 

parents who compose the 

community at the Hostos 

School are dedicated to providing 

an atmosphere in 

which excellence and equality 

in education are valued 

and achieved by every stu- 

dent so that they become 

productive members of our 

multicultural society. 

The Westchester chapter 

was one of the first 

WBASNY chapters to participate 

in the Read Across 

America program in the Yonkers 

Public School approximately 

11 years ago. During 

the course of their involvement 

in this program, 

the chapter has donated 

books, t-shirts and school 

supplies. We look forward 

to participating in the Read 

Across America program 

next year. ◗ 

Shari Gordon and Julie Passman 

Julie Passman 

Page 4 


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Perspectives on Sexual Harassment in the Workplace 

from page 1 

DelBello Donnellan 

Weingarten Wise & 

Wiederkehr, LLP. 

Ms. Berg commenced 

the substantive portion of the 

evening with an overview of 

the process from a plaintiff’s 

perspective. She was followed 

by Ms. Corcoran who 

spoke about best practices 

for employers. Judges Smith 

and Jamieson participated 

in both presentations with 

updates on recent case law 

and provided practical sug- 

gestions for case resolution. 

The panel had created 

several fact patterns to use in 

their presentations, which 

were referred to by the speakers 

throughout the evening. 

The audience was actively engaged 

and asked numerous 

questions throughout the two 

hour presentation covering 

such issues as whether to bring 

a matter in federal or state 

court, when an action is time 

barred and what types of recovery 

are available to victims. 

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General Membership Meeting March 22, 2018 

THE WWBA PAINTS THE TOWN! 

On January 18, 2018, the WWBA’s Networking Committee hosted “Paint Night” at 

Muse Paint Bar in White Plains. The event brought WWBA members together for a 

fun-filled night of networking. It was indeed a masterpiece! 


Page 5

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Magistrate Judge: 

NEVER BE “TOO BUSY” TO BE A MENTOR 

“Be on the lookout for opportunities to mentor 

others, and take them when those opportunities 

arise. Rather than make excuses, such as thinking, 

‘I’m too busy,’ or ‘This could be a waste of my time,’ 

realize that the opposite is more likely to be true.” 

Christian Nolan 

Judge Lisa Margaret 

Smith, United States Magistrate 

Judge for the Southern 

District of New York, says you 

can never be too busy to 

mentor someone else. 

“Be on the lookout for 

opportunities to mentor others, 

and take them when 

those opportunities arise,” 

said Smith. “Rather than 

making excuses, such as 

thinking, ’I’m too busy,’ or 

’This could be a waste of my 

time,’ realize that the opposite 

is more likely to be true. 

Moreover, even if the 

mentoring opportunity does 

not bear fruit, you likely will 

not have lost anything but a 

few minutes of your time.” 

Smith recalled an unexpected 

mentoring experience 

last fall. 

“When I was attending 

family weekend at my 

daughter’s college, I happened 

to overhear a mom 

talking to another parent 

about her daughter, named 

Kathryn. She was a senior at 

the college, majoring in legal 

studies with a minor in 

computer and digital forensics,” 

Smith explained. 

“As I unashamedly listened 

in, I learned that 

Kathryn was pursuing a career 

focusing on e-discovery, 

and particularly the need for 

effective communications 

between forensic professionals 

and legal professionals. 

I, too, have an interest in e- 

discovery, and I thought I 

might be able to help her. I 

spoke to her mother, and 

very shortly thereafter 

Kathryn and I began a correspondence, 

the highlight 

of which was her creation of 

a survey which I was able to 

distribute to a number of legal 

and forensic professionals 

involved in e-discovery.” 

Smith said the survey results 

were to be used in 

Kathryn’s senior project. 

“This opportunity to 

mentor a young woman in 

a law-related field arose 

from a chance encounter, 

and has been rewarding for 

both of us,” said Smith. 

Smith’s remarks about 

mentoring came in accep- 

~ Judge Lisa Margaret Smith 

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 

tance of the 2018 Kay 

Crawford Murray Award presented 

by the Committee on 

Women in the Law of the 

New York State Bar Association. 

Smith received her award 

on January 23 during the 

Association’s Annual Meeting 

in New York City. The award 

recognizes an attorney who 


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Kay Crawford Murray Award: Lisa Margaret Smith, United States 

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2018 recipient of the Kay Crawford Murray Award, presented by the 

Committee on Women in the Law. Patricia L. Angley and Jacqueline 

Hattar, co-chairs of the Awards Subcommittee are at left and 

Committee Chair Susan Harper and NYSBA President Sharon Stern 

Gerstman are at right. (Photo by Richard A. Smith) 

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Page 6 


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An Interview with Honorable Larry Schwartz 

Susan L. Pollet 

Chair of the Archive and 

Historian Committee 

Q: Please tell us about your 

legal career. 

A: I began my career in the 

early 1980s as an Assistant 

District Attorney in the 

Rockland County DA’s office. 

After leaving the District 

Attorney’s office, I was 

a partner and principal of 

Klinger & Schwartz in 

Haverstraw, New York 

where my practice included 

criminal defense and civil 

litigation. 

While in private practice, 

from 1998 until taking 

the bench this year, I served 

as a part-time assistant 

public defender at the 

Rockland County Public 

Defender’s office. I was an 

active member of the 

Rockland County Drug 

Court team and served on 

the board of the Rockland 

County Drug Court Executive 

Committee. In 1993, I 

became a founding partner 

of Schwartz & Silverstein 

LLP in New City where I 

maintained a varied practice 

until this past December. 

Q: Why did you become a 

judge? 

A: The thought of becoming 

a judge appealed to 

me from my earliest days 

as a practicing attorney. 

I’ve always believed the 

courtroom should be an 

orderly and dignified 

place where the voices of 

all participants are heard. 

As an attorney, I saw the 

difference that reasoned 

and patient judges made 

in the outcome of a case. I 

“My advice for new lawyers is 

to find ways to distinguish 

themselves and develop skills 

and knowledge bases that are 

unique and in demand. I also 

recommend they develop 

meaningful relationships in the 

legal community and seek advice 

from experienced practitioners.” 

wanted to make that difference. 

After practicing law for 

over three decades, I saw taking 

the bench as a unique 

opportunity to embrace the 

challenge of applying my legal 

experience in a different 

and meaningful way. 

Q: What community activities 

are you involved in? 

A: I have been involved in 

several legal and community 

organizations throughout 

Rockland County. I’m currently 

a member of the board 

of directors and former secretary 

of the board for the 

Rockland County Bar Association. 

In addition, I am a 

member of the board of directors 

and former president 

of Community Awareness 

Network for a Drug-Free Life 

and Environment (CANDLE), 

a youth organization in 

Rockland County. I also serve 

on the board of directors of 

the Rockland Conservatory of 

Music. 

Q: How have you balanced 

your work and family life over 

the years? 

A: It was always a challenge 

to balance work and family 

life. The biggest advantage 

I had was that I always practiced 

in the same community 

in which I lived. Even though 

I often worked long hours, 

the proximity of my offices 

to my home frequently enabled 

me to adjust my 

schedule so I could attend 

school events and my 

children’s activities. I was always 

mindful of the importance 

of family and strove 

to make my family a priority. 

Q: What advice do you have 

for new lawyers entering the 

profession, and for seasoned 

lawyers continuing in it? 

A: My advice for new lawyers 

is to find ways to distinguish 

themselves and develop 

skills and knowledge 

bases that are unique and in 

demand. I also recommend 

they develop meaningful relationships 

in the legal community 

and seek advice from 

experienced practitioners. 

I also would encourage 

new lawyers to join bar associations. 

It’s so much more 

Hon. Larry Schwartz 

enjoyable to practice law as 

a part of a community than 

from the solitude of your office. 

Seasoned lawyers 

probably do not need advice 

from me. But I will offer 

the reminder that we should 

all continue to make our 

health and well-being a priority. 

It is too easy to become 

so engulfed in our work that 

we forget to take proper 

care of ourselves. The more 

we neglect ourselves, the less 

we can attend to the needs 

of others, whether they are 

clients, family, or friends. 

Q: You were recently elected 

County Court Judge in 

Rockland County but are sitting 

in Westchester. How are 

you enjoying your assignment 

in White Plains? 

A: When I first arrived in 

White Plains, I knew almost 

no one. Everyone in the 

courthouse who I work with, 

without exception, has been 

helpful and supportive. I am 

also quite impressed by the 

Westchester bar. I have 

found almost all the attorneys 

to be quite knowledgeable, 

professional and helpful 

to the court. ◗ 


Page 7

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NEVER BE “TOO BUSY” TO BE A MENTOR 

from page 6 

enhances diversity in the profession and 

advances the professional development 

of women attorneys. The committee created 

the award in Murray’s honor in 

2008. 

Murray, who died in January, was 

the former general counsel to the New 

York City Department of Juvenile Justice 

and was active with the State Bar 

Association for many years, including 

serving as chair of the Committee on 

Women in the Law. 

Mentoring is a Challenge 

Smith said the award gives credit 

to professionals who serve as active 

mentors for women attorneys, “but it is 

important that we support and encourage 

all those who face challenges, 

whether it is because of their gender, or 

their race, or their sexual identity, or their 

age, or their disability status, or simply 

their circumstance in life.” 

Smith recalled a young black man 

named William who appeared before 

her in court charged with a serious crime 

and later pled guilty to a misdemeanor. 

“William had a few stumbles, but 

eventually he served his probationary 

sentence, and he chose a path that led 

him to attend Pace Law School, where I 

came to know him again as a student 

in my evidence class,” recalled Smith. 

When William graduated from 

Pace Law School, Smith was among 

those congratulating him, but his trials 

did not end there, as he struggled to 

gain admittance to the Bar because of 

the criminal conviction. Smith is proud 

to say that William is now a full member 

of the New York Bar “and that he 

did so, in some small part, due to my 

No Excuses: 2018 Kay Crawford Murray Award recipient Judge Lisa Margaret Smith says that 

it is important that “we support and encourage all those who face challenges.” 

(Photo by Richard A. Smith) 

presence as a mentor in his life,” said 

Smith. 

“Do not give up on those you come 

into contact with. Mentoring is a challenge, 

but you will attain the greatest 

satisfaction when someone you have 

mentored achieves his or her goal, despite 

the steepest odds,” said Smith. 

Sharing Knowledge 

Smith, who sits in White Plains, was 

originally appointed in 1995 as a magistrate 

judge. From 2006 to 2008, she 

served as chief magistrate judge for the 

Southern District. 

Before her appointment to the 

bench, Smith was an assistant U.S. attorney 

in the Southern District of New 

York from 1987 to 1995. She also 

served as an assistant district attorney in 

“Do not give up on those you come into 

contact with. Mentoring is a challenge, but you 

will attain the greatest satisfaction when 

someone you have mentored achieves his or 

her goal, despite the steepest odds.” 

~ Judge Lisa Margaret Smith 

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 

Kings County, where she worked her way 

up to supervising senior ADA in the Appeals 

Bureau. She also spent time as 

an assistant attorney general in the Appeals 

and Opinions Division of the New 

York State Department of Law. 

Smith frequently lectures at CLE and 

bar association programs, with a particular 

focus on e-discovery and evidence. 

She is a regular participant in 

events that educate children about the 

courts, including Take Your Children to 

Work Day, an annual program of the 

Westchester Women’s Bar Association. 

In addition to Murray, Smith said 

she was also honored to join the ranks 

of such greats as the Honorable 

Sondra Miller of the Appellate Division 

Second Department, and the Honorable 

Jenny Rivera of the New York Court 

of Appeals, as a recipient of this 

award. 

“Kay Crawford Murray personified 

a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr.,” 

said Smith, “which is: ’Life’s most persistent 

and urgent question is, what are 

you doing for others?’” ◗ 

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 

Christian Nolan is a senior writer for the 

New York State Bar Association. 

Page 8 


April Litigation Tip 

✦ E-FILING TECHNOLOGY REACHES OUR APPELLATE DIVISION! 

On March 1, 2018, all four appellate departments approved mandatory electronic filing 

rules for certain appellate cases. The rules apply to cases where the Notice of Appeal is 

filed on or after March 1, 2018.* 

The new electronic filing rules are codified at 22NYCRR Part 1245 and Attachment A 

discusses the formatting rules for the documents that are electronically filed. The new 

rules also can be found at www.nycourts.gov/RULES/jointappellate/ 

22NYCRRPart1245-03-01-2018A.pdf. 

The rules do provide for personal exemptions at NYCRR 1245.4(a)(1) and (2) for the 

unrepresented litigant and exempt attorneys are defined in the rules and CPLR 

2111(b)(3)(a) or (B). 

While all the electronic filings are through the NYSCEF system, each department has 

very specific rules and differ as to what types of cases require electronic filing. The First 

Department requires electronic filing for all appeals on commercial matters originating 

in the Supreme Court, Bronx and New York Counties. The Second Department requires 

electronic filing of all appeals in matters originating and electronically filed in 

the Supreme Court and Surrogate’s Courts in Westchester County. The Third Department 

requires electronic filing for all appeals in civil actions commenced by summons 

and complaint in the Supreme Court originating in the Third Judicial District and the 

Fourth Department requires electronic filing of all appeals in matters originating in, or 

transferred to, the Commercial Division of the Supreme Court in the Fourth Judicial 

Department. 

It is also anticipated that each Department will gradually increase the types of appellate 

cases which require electronic filing and therefore attorneys filing appeals should consult 

the new rules frequently. 

Additional information specific to each department can be accessed through the following 

links: 

❑ 1st Dept: http://www.nycourts.gov/courts/ad1/efiling.html 

❑ 2nd Dept: http://www.nycourts.gov/courts/AD2/efiling 

❑ 3rd Dept: http://www.nycourts.gov/courts/ad3 

❑ 4th Dept: http://www.nycourts.gov/courts/efile 

* Each Department has specific rules with regard to those cases where the Notice of Appeal was filed before 

March 1, 2018 and the Appeal will be perfected before May 15, 2018. 

Written by Angela Morcone Giannini, Co-Chair, Litigation Committee 

Other Co-Chairs: Jacqueline Hattar & Kimberly Sheehan 


Page 9

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WWBA 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. 

Chapter News and Announcements 

Classifieds 

OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE – MOUNT KISCO 

Two beautiful windowed offices for rent in professional suite. 

Regular access to 2 newly renovated, large windowed conference rooms. Part-time 

assistant/paralegal/billing services; receptionist; cleaning; 

WiFi, copy/scan/fax; Plenty of parking; close to train. Call 914-242-7200 ◗ 

Become a New 

Member Today 

RENEW YOUR 

WWBA MEMBERSHIP TODAY 

FOR THE PERIOD 

JUNE 1, 2017 TO MAY 31, 2018. 

RENEW NOW! DON’T WAIT! 

WWBA Membership includes 

membership to the Women’s Bar 

Association of the State of New York 

(WBASNY). 

January 31, 2018 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. 

President’s Message 

from page 3 

unknowingly, brightly leading us into a future where their courage will most certainly 

forge a better path. 

And who could be tinier than our own Judge Sondra Miller! Judge Miller’s 

small and wispy frame belies a strength and perseverance that dwarfs men twice 

her size. Judge Miller was in the first class at Harvard to admit women and she 

was also the first woman to be appointed as an Associate Justice in the Appellate 

Division, Second Department. 

She is one of the “Founding Mothers” of the WWBA and still works tirelessly 

to advance the status of women through our organization and at the state level 

through her committee work in WBASNY. Every time I see Judge Miller struggle to 

reach for a microphone placed too high for her petite size, I wonder how many 

judges and opposing attorneys misjudged this amazing woman. She is my favorite 

“crocus” of the WWBA. 

Too often women – especially those of us who hover around five feet tall – 

are immediately judged to be meek and frail and must work doubly hard to be 

taken seriously, whether it be in the courtroom or in other phases of our very 

complicated, very demanding lives. I hope that the analogy of the crocus has 

given you a bit of inspiration to set out to disprove this misconception. Burst forth, 

ladies, and show your strength, your bravery and your vibrant colors of hope! ◗ 

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 10 


○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 

The Westchester Women’s Bar Association 

requests the pleasure of your company 

at its 

ANNUAL DINNER 

~ and ~ 

INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS 

Our Distinguished Keynote Speaker: 

HONORABLE KATHIE DAVIDSON 

ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE, NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT 

Wednesday, June 6, 2018 

Mamaroneck Beach & Yacht Club 

Mamaroneck, New York 

 

We also welcome your ad in our Souvenir Journal: 

Outside Back Cover - $1,000; Inside Back Cover - $600 

Inside Front Cover - $600; Gold Page - $400 

Full Page - $350: Half Page - $200; Quarter Page - $150 

Please contact Andrea B. Friedman, Esq. at andrea@sarilaw.com 

You can also place your ad order online at www.wwbany.org 


Page 11

WWBA Schedule of Upcoming Events 

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

WWBA Diversity and 

Litigation Committees and 

NYSBA’s Committee on 

Diversity & Inclusion 

Families, Children, and the 

Courts Committee 

WCBA ADR Committee and 

WWBA Collaborative Law 

Committee 

Criminal Law 

Committee 

4/9/18 

Registration – 

6:00 PM 

Program – 6:15 – 

7:30 PM 

Light supper will 

be provided. 

4/10/18 

12:30-2:00 PM 

Brown bag lunch 

4/17/18 

12:15 – 1:30 PM 

Brown bag lunch 

4/24/18 

Registration - 

5:30 PM 

Program – 6:00 – 

7:00 PM 

Light snacks and 

beverages 

provided 

Board of Directors Meeting 5/2/18 

5:30-7:30 PM 

Wilson Elser Moskowitz 

Edelman & Dicker LLP 

1133 Westchester 

Avenue 

White Plains, NY 

(Enter from the Section C 

parking lot entrance/ 

reception area is on the 

1 st floor) 

Westchester County 

Courthouse 

9 th Floor (Conference 

Room) 

111 Dr. Martin Luther 

King, Jr. Blvd. 

White Plains, Ny 

McCarthy Fingar, LLP 

11 Martine Avenue 

12 th Floor 


Keane and Beane 

Conference Room 

445 Hamilton 

Suite 1500 


BNY Mellon 

701 Westchester Ave. 


“A Continuing Lecture 

Series on Diversity in 

the Legal Profession” 

Perspectives from the 

Bench and the Bar on 

Diversity 

CASA in the Courts: 

The Mental Health 

Association of 

Westchester County, 

Inc. (MHA) Family 

Court’s Court 

Appointed Special 

Advocates 

Resolving Family 

Disputes Through the 

Collaborative Process: 

A Primer 

One (1) CLE credit – 

Professional practice 

“Jury Selection and 

Race: A Review of 

Recent Batson 

Decisions” 

One (1) CLE Credit – 

Diversity and Inclusion 

*Pending approval 

Please RSVP no later than April 5, 

2018 by registering online at 


Space is limited to members of the 

sponsoring organizations and 

invited guests – PLEASE NO 

WALK-INS 

Register online by April 2, 2018 at 


Seating is limited; RSVP at 

http://www.wcbany.org/events/Eve 

ntDetails.aspx?id=1073351&group 

= 

RSVP online at www.wwbany.org 

or email 

executivedirector@wwbany.org 

**Seating is limited, please register 

early** 

For questions or if you are not able 

to attend contact: 

Lisa Denig at 

president@wwbany.org 

WWBA Women in 

Professional Transition 

Project 

5/4/18 

1:00 PM 

WWBA Annual Dinner 6/6/18 

Cocktails – 5:30 

PM 

Dinner – 7:00 PM 

445 Café 

445 Hamilton Ave. 


(Parking is available in 

the garage next door; 

follow signs for “office 

parking”) 

Mamaroneck Beach and 

Yacht Club 

Mamaroneck, NY 

“First Fridays” with the 

WWBA’s Women in 

Professional Transition 

Project 

Annual Dinner and 

Installation of Officers 

No RSVP necessary 

For more information go to 


Register online at 


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 

2017-2018 BEGINS ON JUNE 1, 2017. 

PLEASE RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP TOD 

ODAY AT 

WWW.WWBANY 

.WWBANY.ORG 

.ORG

WWBA April 2018 Newsletter

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