WWBA October 2018 Newsletter

Westchester Women’s Bar Association 

WWBA 

SPECIAL ISSUE IN RECOGNITION OF BREAST CANCER AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH 

OCTOBER 2018 

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING: 

Implicit Bias is Real: A Candid Discussion on 

Subconscious Stereotyping 

Stephanie Melowsky and Jacqueline Hattar 

T 

he Honorable Shira A. 

Scheindlin (U.S.D.J. Ret.), of 

Counsel, Stroock & Stroock & 

Lavan, Taa Grays, Esq., Vice President and 

Associate General Counsel of Information 

Governance at MetLife, and Nikki Adame- 

Winningham, Esq., Corporate Counsel at 

Pfizer Inc., were the guest speakers at the 

WWBA’s General Membership meeting 

that was held on September 5, 2018 at 

BNY Mellon Offices in White Plains. 

The program was presented by the 

WWBA’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee 

and Employment Law Committee and 

sponsored by Counsel Press. The program, 

which was very-well attended, kicked off 

WWBA President Kim Berg’s term and her initiative to strongly promote diversity and 

inclusion in the legal profession. Joining the speakers were Jacqueline Hattar, Esq., 

partner at Wilson Elser, and Stephanie Melowsky, Esq., Vice President at PCSB Bank. 

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 


WWBA Foundation 

Celebrates 20 Years 

(page 5) 

An Interview with 

Hon. Francesca E. Connolly 

(page 7) 

October Litigation Tip – 

Trial Subpoenas 

(page 9) 

Upcoming Events 

(page 12) 

SAVE THE DATE 

WINE TASTING 

EVENT 

October 11, 2018 

445 Hamilton Avenue 

White Plains, New York 

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News 

news 

www.wwbany.org 

President Kim Berg, Diversity & Inclusion 

Committee Co-Chairs Stephanie Melowsky 

and Jacqueline Hattar, Taa Grays, Esq., Nikki 

Adame- Winningham, Esq., and Hon. Shira 

A. Scheindlin 

continued on page 4 ➥ 

FAMILY AND 

IMMIGRATION LAW CLE 


Pace University 

White Plains, New York 

BREAST CANCER 

WALK 


Manhattanville College 

Purchase, New York 

PRESIDENT’S 

MESSAGE 

There can be 

no dispute that statistically 

speaking 

women are adversely 

affected in larger 

percentages than 

men when it comes 

to both domestic 

violence and breast 

Kim Berg 

cancer. For example, 

according to the American Cancer 

Society, for men the lifetime risk of 

getting breast cancer is 1 in 833 but for 

women the average risk of developing 

breast cancer sometime in her life is 1 

in 8. According to the National Coalition 

against Domestic Violence, a higher 

percentage of women are victims, with 

1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men, experiencing 

severe physical violence by an 

intimate partner in their lifetime. 

The month of October is dedicated 

to both Domestic Violence Awareness 

and Breast Cancer Awareness and I am 

proud to be a member of the WWBA 

which serves an important role in the 

awareness campaign. 

Domestic Violence can take many 

forms, including physical violence, 

sexual violence, threats, and emotional 

and psychological abuse. The impact 

on the victim stems far beyond physical 

injury and often results in long lasting 

psychological trauma. According to the 

National Coalition against Domestic 

Violence’s “Fact” Sheet: 

Domestic violence is prevalent in 

every community, and affects all 

people regardless of age, socioeconomic 

status, sexual orientacontinued 

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 


Published Monthly by the 

Westchester Women’s 

Bar Association, a Chapter of 

the Women’s Bar Association 

of the State of New York 

~ 2018/2019 Officers and Directors ~ 

President KIM BERG 

President-Elect ANGELA MORCONE GIANNINI 

Vice Presidents 

HON. LISA M. SMITH AMANDA C. FRIED KRISTEN MOTEL 

Treasurer 

NATANYA L. BRIENDEL Recording Secretary SHERRY BISHKO 

Corresponding Secretary ELIZABETH Z. MARCUS 

Immediate Past ast President 

LISA M. DENIG 

Elected Directors Westchester Board 

SUSAN EDWARDS COLSON LISA M. DENIG LONYA A. GILBERT 

JENNIFER L. GRAY JACQUELINE HATTAR 

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

ROBIN D. CARTON LUCIA CHIOCCHIO DEBORAH FARBER-KAISER 

MARIAN GENIO THERESA A. GIROLAMO ANNETTE G. HASAPIDIS 

SUSAN MILLS RICHMOND JENNIFER ROBINSON 

Executive Director ELISABETH CAMPOS 

© Copyright 2018 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 

2018-2019 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, Virginia Trunkes 

Criminal Law ........... Lisa M. Denig, Hon. Sandra A. Forster, Amy Puerto 

Families’, Children & the Courts .......... Joy S. Joseph, Lauren Morrissey 

Amanda Rieben 

Grievance/Ethics ................................................... Deborah A. Scalise 

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

Judiciary ........................................................ Hon. Linda S. Jamieson 

Lawyering & Parenting .......... Joelle M. Burton, Jana Kosberg-Kleidman 

Legislation ...................................... Natanya L. Briendel, Kitley Covill, 

Angela Morcone Gianinni 

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

Annual Dinner ................... Kim Berg, Lisa M. Denig, Robin D. Carton, 

Amanda C. Fried, Andrea Friedman, Angela Morcone Giannini, 

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 

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

Awards .............................. Elizabeth Barnhard, Deborah Farber-Kaiser 

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

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

Collaborative Law ............................ Kathleen Donelli, Michelle Lewis, 

Lynn J. Maier, Hon. Sondra M. Miller 

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

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

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

Diversity and Inclusion ............. Jacqueline Hattar, Stephanie Melowsky 

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

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

Susan Mills Richmond 

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

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 

Golf Outing .................................. Gail M. Boggio, Adrienne Orbach 

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

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

Membership .............................................. Sherry Bishko, Kristen Motel 

Networking ...................... Jennifer Robinson, Alsion Sloto, Erica Sattler 

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

Professional Development .. Susan Edwards Colson, Stephanie Melowsky 

Programs .................................. Natanya L. Briendel, Amanda C. Fried 

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

Real Property .................................. Michelle Murphy, Allyson Lanahan 

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

Deborah Farber-Kaiser 

Taxation ........................................................... Patricia Rusch Bellucci 

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

Karen J. Walsh 

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

Immigration ........................................ Nicole Feit, Laura A. Rosmarin 

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

Intellectual Property .. Elizabeth M. Barnhard, Theresa O’Rourke Nugent 

Judgment Enforcement & Collections ...................... Daniel F. Florio, Jr. 

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

Kimberly Sheehan 

Long Range Planning ............... Susan Edwards Colson, Lisa M. Denig 

Linda Markowitz 

Mediation ........................... Hon. Sondra M. Miller, Lauren S. Morrissey 

Donna Erez Navot, Abby Rosmarin 

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

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

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

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

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

Wellness ................................ Jennifer Netrosio, Susan Mills Richmond 

Women in Leadership ............................................ Adrienne Arkontaky 

Network of Bar Leaders ................................................................. TBD 

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

WBASNY Judicial Screening Committee ................. Gail M. Boggio, 

Lisa M. Bluestein 

WBASNY Nominations Committee ............................. Gail M. Boggio 

Lisa M. Bluestein 

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 

“Sure we are all busy, 

between practicing law, 

raising families, caring 

for our parents, and 

attempting to have some 

work life balance, but 

that is simply not a good 

excuse to put your 

health on hold.” 

tion, gender, race, religion, or nationality. 

Physical violence is often 

accompanied by emotionally abusive 

and controlling behavior as part 

of a much larger, systematic pattern 

of dominance and control. Domestic 

violence can result in physical injury, 

psychological trauma, and 

even death. The devastating consequences 

of domestic violence can 

cross generations and last a lifetime. 

www.ncadv.org 

The WWBA is proud to have a Domestic 

Violence Committee, currently cochaired 

by Natanya L. Briendel, Beth Levy 

and Audrey E. Stone. The informative programs 

they provide every year to our members 

are critically important to educating 

attorneys and enhancing the services we 

as lawyers provide to victims of domestic 

violence. Coming next month is a program 

titled “Exploring and Understanding 

Cultural Competency in the Law” scheduled 

for October 29, 2018 and is co-sponsored 

by the Pace Women’s Justice Center, 

the WWBA, and Ninth Judicial District 

Committee to Protect Gender Fairness in 

the Courts. 

In Westchester, we are also fortunate 

to have the Pace Women’s Justice Center 

which has provided critical services to victims 

of domestic violence, assisting over 

3,000 clients per year for the past 25 years. 

The vast need for legal services for domestic 

violence victims in our community 

led to the grand opening of the PWJC’s 

Walk-In-Clinic on June 29, 2018, which 

opening ceremony I was privileged to attend. 

The WWBA commends our memcontinued 

on page 9 ➥ 

Editor’s Note 


“Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.” 

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, Elisabeth Campos 

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 

Full Page Display Ad 

5-10 Issues - $525.00 per issue 


Half Page Display Ad 



Contacts 

~ Unknown 

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

Natanya L. Briendel, Programs Committee Co-Chair: tanyabriendel@gmail.com 

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

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

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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. 

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

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Subconscious Stereotyping – Implicit Bias is Real 

from page 1 

The authors were proud to serve as comoderators 

of this program. 

The backgrounds of the speakers are 

impressive and comprise diverse areas of 

expertise. Judge Scheindlin currently serves 

as an arbitrator and mediator at the American 

Arbitration Association. Since leaving 

the bench in May 2016, she has conducted 

many mediations and arbitrations. She is 

also a member of Stroock’s Internal Investigations 

Unit, formed to help companies 

and organizations respond to alleged 

sexual misconduct. 

Ms. Grays is responsible for the strategic 

management of MetLife’s global Information 

Lifecycle Management Program. 

She also chaired Metlife’s Legal Affairs’ Diversity 

Committee and the Technology 

Governance Committee. Ms. Grays was 

recognized as a Diversity Champion in 

2015 by the New York City Bar Association 

In her role as Corporate Counsel at 

Pfizer, Ms. Adame-Winningham provides 

legal counsel and enforcement defense on 

complex environmental, health and safety, 

transactional, permitting and compliance 

matters to manufacturing, logistics, R&D 

and commercial facilities worldwide. She 

is an active member of the New York State 

“[The] comprehensive discussion included 

explanations of how implicit bias impacts the 

talent pipeline from beginning to end 

contributing to the gender gap in law firm 

and corporation leadership teams.” 

Bar Association’s (NYSBA) Women in the 

Law Section and the Latina Commission of 

the Hispanic National Bar Association. 

Judge Scheindlin co-authored the 

NYSBA’s November 2017 report, “If Not 

Now, When? Achieving Equality for 

Women Attorneys in the Courtroom and 

ADR.” She discussed this report’s genesis 

and findings, which included statistics 

on the low levels of women attorneys 

appearing in the courtroom, from law firm 

associates, to equity partnerships at law 

firms, to lead counsel at trial. Judge 

Scheindlin also discussed initiatives and 

studies in which she has participated that 

are working to improve these disappointing 

statistics. Finally, she noted the very 

low selection of women as neutrals – particularly 

in commercial arbitrations and 

mediations. 

Ms. Grays and Ms. Adame- 

Winningham discussed implicit bias and 

the impact it has on law firms and corporate 

legal departments during the hiring 

and promotion processes. Their comprehensive 

discussion included explanations 

of how implicit bias impacts the talent pipeline 

from beginning to end and contributes 

to the gender gap in law firm and 

corporate leadership teams. They also suggested 

better practices and initiatives that 

firms and corporations might individually 

and jointly institute to further promote diverse 

hiring and retention of women attorneys. 

Some suggested joint initiatives included 

law firms sharing summer associates 

with corporate clients, corporations 

working with their outside counsel to establish 

stewardship programs, and clientled 

advisory committees at law firms. 

It was a truly excellent program that 

included a lively and interesting discussion 

by the attendees. We wish to thank 

Counsel Press for its generous support. ◗ 

September 2018 CLE on Implicit Bias 

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Happy 20th Anniversary to the 

Westchester Women’s Bar Association Foundation 

Susan M. Brown 

WWBA Foundation President 

I am pleased and proud 

to announce that our 

Westchester Women’s Bar Association 

Foundation has just 

concluded its 20th year of making 

generous grants and 

awarding meaningful law 

school scholarships. I would 

like to thank all the past 

WWBAF officers and Board 

members (including past 

WWBAF President Kim Berg) 

who have made the good work 

of WWBAF possible, year after 

year, by doing the hard work of 

fund raising and the rewarding 

work of selecting the students 

and organizations that benefit 

from our own WWBAF. 

In particular, as we close 

out our 20th year, I would like 

to thank the current WWBAF 

Board for their fundraising efforts, 

which resulted in a successful 

Mocktail fundraiser as 

well as our Mocktail Sponsors. 

Finally, thank you to the many 

WWBA members and all whose 

contributions, large and small, 

enabled us to carry out the 

WWBAF mission to eliminate 

artificial barriers to advancement 

in the workplace, schools 

and courts by supporting local 

organizations that provide legal, 

employment and education services 

to disadvantaged persons 

of our community as well funding 

the annual Justice Sondra 

M. Miller Scholarship award 

given to a deserving Pace Law 

School student. 

At this year’s WWBA’s Annual 

Dinner, I was honored to 

award the annual Justice Sondra 

M. Miller Scholarship to Ms. 

Kristi Intorre, a Pace Law student 

(now graduate!) who has overcome 

significant adversity and 

whose academic achievements, 

extracurriculars, community and 

pro bono service gave her the 

THANK YOU TO THE 2017-2018 

WWBA FOUNDATION 

SPONSORS AND DONORS 

 

Patricia Angley 

Patricia A. Bave 

Benchmark Title Agency, LLC 

Sherry Bishko 

Lisa Bluestein 

Gail Boggio 

Gary S. Brown 

Susan S. & J. Frank Brown 

Citrin Cooperman & Company, LLP (Friend) 

Dalco Reporting, Inc. (Friend) 

Kathleen Donelli 

Fontana Giannini, LLP (Friend) 

Angela Morcone Giannini 

Lonya Gilbert 

Carla & Loren Glassman (Friend) 

Jeffrey Goldstein (Friend) 

Gould & Berg, LLP (Friend) 

David Gralnick 

Jackson Lewis P.C. (Benefactor) 

Diana Juettner 

Daniel M. Kolko (Friend) 

Julie Kattan & Milton Kreppel (Benefactor) 

Klein, Liebman & Gresen (Friend) 

Kramer Kozek LLP (Benefactor) 

Christopher Mangold (Benefactor) 

Margaret Neubart Foundation (Patron) 

Paul Marrow 

McCarthy Fingar, LLP (Friend) 

Lawrence McElron 

Miller, Hon. Sondra M. (Friend) 

Tamara A. Mitchel (Friend) 

Adrienne Orbach 

Matthew Renert 

Rosenthal & Markowitz, LLP (Benefactor) 

John A. Tangredi 

Geraldine Toriorella 

Gladys M. Ulmann 

Voute, Lohrfink, Magro & McAndrew, LLP (Friend) 

Walsh & Amicucci, LLP (Benefactor) 

edge over the other very impressive 

candidates for this prestigious 

award. 

At our July meeting the 

WWBAF Board chose the worthy 

organizations to which this 

year’s grants were awarded: 

Hope’s Door (intervention and 

prevention assistance to victims 

of domestic violence); Hudson 

Link for Higher Legal Services of 

the Hudson Valley (academic 

credit-courses for incarcerated 

men and women); Legal Services 

of the Hudson Valley (Housing 

Stability Program for Westchester 

families); Mental Health Association 

of Westchester (Court 

Appointed Special Advocates); 

My Sister’s Place in memory of 

former WWBA Executive Assistant 

Linda Wiley (representing 

victims of domestic violence and 

human trafficking); Pace Public 

Interest Law Center (public interest 

law student internships); 

Pace Women’s Justice Center in 

memory of former WWBA President 

Karen Z. Bell (for its Moderate 

Means Program); Scales 

of Justice Academy (life skills 

course for underserved high 

school women); Student Advocacy 

(“Solutions Not Suspensions” 

program to reduce suspension 

of non-violent school 

kids); and White Plains YWCA 

(“Girls Empowered Through 

Meaningful Support” college 

preparatory program and 

“Reading is Fundamental” 

which provides children’s books 

to Family Court waiting rooms). 

It is an honor to support these 

organizations whose programs 

make a clear difference to the 

populations they serve. 

Happy 20th Anniversary to 

the WWBA Foundation! Please 

continue to support our mission 

with your generous contributions 

and encourage your friends, 

families and professional contacts 

to do the same. ◗ 


Page 5

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LEGAL SERVICES OF THE HUDSON VALLEY TO HONOR VOLUNTEERS 

DURING NATIONAL PRO BONO CELEBRATION WEEK 

To commemorate National Pro Bono 

Week 2018, Legal Services of the Hudson 

Valley (LSHV) will honor several attorneys 

who have done important pro bono work 

with the agency. National Pro Bono Week 

(October 21-27, 2018) spotlights pro bono 

work in order to enhance and expand local 

efforts to increase access to justice for 

all. LSHV is the only provider of free, comprehensive 

civil legal services to low-income 

and disadvantaged individuals and 

families in the Hudson Valley who cannot 

afford an attorney when their basic human 

needs are at stake. 

LSHV’s 2018 event will honor: 

❑ Deborah A. Scalise of Scalise and 

Hamilton, LLP. Deborah A. Scalise routinely 

provides advice and counsel to staff attorneys 

and supervisors on ethical issues encountered 

in their case work and the administration 

of program activities. In addition, 

she has presented CLEs for staff on 

ethical issues and updates. 


Emily P. Kahn 

Deborah A. Scalise 

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FDIC 

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An Interview with Hon. Francesa E. Connolly 

Associate Justice, Appellate Division, Second Departtment 

Susan L. Pollet 

Chair of the Archive and 

Historian Committee 

Q: Why did you become a 

member of the Westchester 

Women’s Bar Association? 

A: It is important for women in 

the legal profession support 

each other – the Westchester 

Women’s Bar Association provides 

a strong professional 

and social support network for 

women to rely upon. It is a 

dynamic organization, with 

many resources. I have always 

been impressed with the enthusiasm 

of its members and 

their willingness to promote 

and assist each other in every 

way possible. 

Q: Please tell us about your 

extraordinary legal career. 

A: After graduating from Pace 

Law School in 1982, I worked 

in government for about three 

years as Assistant General 

Counsel of the New York City 

Department of Probation, 

where I established the first Violation 

of Probation Enforcement 

Unit in Queens County, 

and as a Law Assistant to the 

Deputy Administrative Judge 

of Queens County Family 

Court. I enjoyed these positions 

tremendously and came to realize 

the importance of the judiciary 

in helping families and 

individuals in crisis. 

In 1985, I began my 25- 

year career as a civil litigation 

attorney. My first position was 

as an associate attorney with 

the Rockland County law firm 

of MacCartney, MacCartney, 

Kerrigan & MacCartney. I continued 

my work as a trial attorney 

with Gallina & 

Connolly, attorneys of record 

for Fireman’s Fund Insurance 

Company, where I remained 

for fourteen years. Finally, in 

“I enjoyed all of my assignments on the 

trial bench – even the matrimonial part! 

While I never practiced matrimonial law, 

from my first day on the bench, I saw the 

profound effect a judge can make on the 

lives of families in crisis.” 

2003, I joined Malapero & 

Prisco LLP, and became a member 

of that firm. 

I thoroughly enjoyed my 

career in civil litigation, where I 

handled all types of high exposure 

liability cases in state and 

federal courts, from case inception, 

through jury trial and appeal. 

As an attorney, my experience 

has been in so many courts 

beginning with the criminal and 

family courts in New York City, 

and progressing to the state and 

federal courts. I have had many 

experiences over the years appearing 

and trying cases before 

different judges in many counties 

and arguing appeals before 

the First, Second, and Third Departments, 

and the New York 

Court of Appeals. Among the 

highlights of my career was representing 

the major contractors 

in the World Trade Disaster Litigation. 

Our country had never 

faced an attack of this magnitude 

that impacted so many lives 

in the New York metropolitan 

area. Whether you represented 

the injured workers, the City of 

New York, or the contractors, we 

were all in uncharted territory as 

to legal liability. The issues were 

challenging, both procedurally 

and substantively, and the caliber 

of the attorneys handling 

these cases was exceptional. 

I began my judicial career 

in 2006 after being elected 

Ossining Town Justice. I served 

in this capacity until 2009, when 

Governor David Paterson ap- 

pointed me to fill an interim vacancy 

on the New York State 

Supreme Court. In 2010, I was 

elected to a fourteen-year term 

as a New York State Supreme 

Court Justice in the Ninth Judicial 

District. During this time, I 

became the Supervising Judge 

of the Matrimonial Part of the 

Westchester County Supreme 

Court, and then went on to preside 

over an Individual Assignment 

Part, the Compliance Conference 

Part, as well as the Ninth 

Judicial District Environmental 

Claims Part. 

I enjoyed all of my assignments 

on the trial bench – even 

the matrimonial part! While I 

never practiced matrimonial 

law, from my first day on the 

bench, I saw the profound effect 

a judge can make on the 

lives of families in crisis. I immediately 

immersed myself in the 

subject matter – working long 

hours to gain a command of 

the law – to do my best to provide 

these families with justice. 

After serving three years in the 

matrimonial part, I was assigned 

to a trial part where I presided 

over all types of civil trials, with 

most of my jury trials being in 

medical malpractice cases. My 

years of experience as a civil litigator 

were the best training for 

me to serve as a trial judge. 

Most of the issues that arose during 

trial were familiar to me, as 

I had encountered them before 

on the opposite side of the 

bench, as an attorney. I think 

Hon. Francesca E. Connolly 

the attorneys appreciated my 

experience and knowledge - 

that I had an understanding 

of the trials and tribulations a 

trial lawyer faces in presenting 

a case before a jury. 

In 2015, I was appointed 

as an Associate Justice of the 

Appellate Term of the New York 

Supreme Court, Second Judicial 

Department, where we 

heard appeals from the District, 

City, Town, and Village 

courts in the seven counties of 

the Ninth and Tenth Judicial 

Districts. One year later, in 

2016, Governor Andrew 

Cuomo appointed me to serve 

as an Associate Justice of the 

Appellate Division of the New 

York State Supreme Court, Second 

Judicial Department. This 

is an intermediate appellate 

court, which is the second 

highest court in the state, 

where we hear appeals from 

courts in the ten counties of 

the Second, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, 

and Thirteenth Judicial 

Districts. 

Q: Why did you want to become 

a Judge? 

A: Although there were no 

lawyers or judges in my famcontinued 

on page 8 ➥ 


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A Tip from the WWBA’s Newly-Formed Wellness Committee 

WELLNESS AS A PRIORITY: SITTING WITH FEAR 

Jennifer N. Netrosio 

Co-Chair of the WWBA Wellness Committee 

In her book “Daring Greatly,” Brené 

Brown, a vulnerability and shame researcher, 

breaks down the way fear, courage, 

and vulnerability plays a role in the 

way we live, love, lead, and parent. 

Brown’s research is based on the concept 

of wholehearted living, which she defines 

as engaging in our lives from a place 

of worthiness; a place of feeling that no 

matter what gets done, and how much is 

left undone, that you are enough. Her research 

reveals that the key to wholehearted 

living is to recognize the emotion of fear 

An Interview with Hon. Francesa E. Connolly 

from previous page 

ily, as far back as I can recall I 

have always wanted to be a 

judge. My interest in becoming 

a judge grew even stronger 

over the years based upon 

my experience with our judicial 

system as a litigation attorney. 

Having first-hand experience 

representing litigants in courts 

throughout the state before 

many different judges, I saw the 

impact judges’ decisions made 

on peoples’ lives and thought 

that this would be the best way 

for me to serve others. 

Q: Is there a decision you rendered 

of which you are most 

proud? 

A: For ethical reasons, I should 

avoid discussing any particular 

decision that I have rendered. 

I would say that the reason 

I became a judge was to 

serve the public and to help 

people. I found cases involving 

family matters to be the most 

challenging, but also the most 

rewarding because of the impact 

a judge can make. 

Among the most important 

work that we do is to protect 

children and help families in 

crisis. Recently, I read several 

when it arises, step into the discomfort of it, 

and embrace your own vulnerability around 

it. It is well established in scientific theory 

that a perceived danger or threat (physical 

or emotional) triggers a fight or flight response. 

So, as you continue to make 

articles about the positive impact 

one of my decisions has 

made on a particular family and 

it certainly made be feel gratified 

that I helped them and 

brought that family some justice 

and peace. 

Q: What do you hope to accomplish 

professionally in the 

future? 

A: It is such an honor to serve 

on the Appellate Division and 

to be given this tremendous opportunity 

to serve the public in 

this capacity. I am humbled and 

grateful every day. I truly enjoy 

it. I can’t imagine a more rewarding 

career for myself than I 

have had and continue to have. 

I also look forward to working 

with our new Presiding Justice, 

Alan Scheinkman, in implementing 

new initiatives to the 

court to reduce the backlog and 

improve efficiencies, including 

e-filing. 

Q: Please tell us about your 

hobbies and other interests. 

A: My main hobby is traveling 

– going on adventures to interesting 

places. I have traveled all 

over Europe and also to interesting 

countries such as Iran, 

Russia, Peru, Columbia, and 

 

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. 

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond 

measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that 

most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ’who am I to 

be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?’ 

Actually, who are you not to be? . . . your playing 

small doesn’t serve the world.” 

~ Marianne Williamson 

 

Turkey. 

Q: What advice do you have 

for women lawyers entering the 

legal profession? 

A: Take the high road in everything 

you do. Be selfless - go 

out of your way to help others - 

it will come back to you tenfold! 

Practice humility. Remember loyalty. 

Work your hardest and always 

be prepared. Put your family 

FIRST! 

Q: How have you balanced 

your work life and family life 

over the years? 

A: This was not easy! Looking 

back on this, I don’t know how I 

did it. There is a saying - when 

you want something done, give 

it to a busy person - this is so 

true. While working full-time as 

a litigator, trying cases, we raised 

two boys, and I became active 

in my community. My boys were 

athletic, so I got involved in 

youth sports, including coaching 

baseball, and being a 

founding member of two ice 

hockey organizations, Ossining 

Youth Hockey Association and 

Team Westchester Hockey Association. 

I also became involved 

in PTA, and served as President 

of Ossining PTA Council. In 

wellness a priority in your life, I challenge 

you to sit with the emotion of fear the very 

next time it comes up. Don’t fight it and 

don’t run from it. Just sit with it. Become 

curious about it. Dig deep down and find 

the root of it. And then bring it to the surface. 

Express your thoughts in a journal, or 

talk to a confidant about it. Because you 

can’t release or work through something that 

you continue to hold inside, you must bring 

it to the surface so that you can release it. 

Through that process, the thing you fear 

loses its power over you. 

Make a commitment to doing this, and 

watch as the magic unfolds. ◗ 

1998, I became a member of 

the Town of Ossining Planning 

Board. In 2000, I was elected 

Ossining Councilmember, 

where I served for five years, 

three of which as Deputy Town 

Supervisor. In 2006, I began 

my judicial career when I was 

elected Ossining Town Justice. 

I also served as Acting Village 

Justice of the Village of 

Ossining and Acting City 

Court Judge of Mt. Vernon and 

Yonkers. I am fortunate to have 

a very supportive husband, 

who has been by my side, enthusiastically, 

through it all. 

Our parents lived close by and 

were available in an emergency 

when needed, which 

certainly gave us peace-ofmind. 

I also have wonderful 

neighbors. Also key, was living 

and working in Westchester 

County when our children were 

young. 

If you want to get involved, 

just make sure you 

know your limits. Don’t overextend 

yourself. If you commit 

to something, make sure you 

attend the meetings and contribute. 

Make sure you are a 

valuable member of any organization 

you join. ◗ 

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October Litigation Tip 

✦ TRIAL SUBPOENAS CPLR 2305(d) 

Civil Procedure Law and rules (CPLR) 2305 governs the use of subpoenas. New Section 

(d) of CPLR 2305 now provides a special provision for trial subpoenas. 

As a refresher, CPLR 2305(a) addresses service of a subpoena for the attendance of 

witnesses in a civil action. Section (b) provides for the use of a subpoena duces tecum and 

attendance by substitute. A subpoena duces tecum can be used in conjunction with a 

subpoena to testify at trial, hearing or examination or may be issued separately. A person 

may comply with the subpoena duces tecum for a trial, hearing or examination by substitute 

having the requisite books, documents or things produced by a person able to identify 

them and testify about their origin, purpose or custody. Section (c) provides for inspection, 

examination and audit of records in matters where a government department, agency 

or officer is authorized to issue a subpoena requiring said production. This includes the 

right to take possession of the subpoenaed material for a reasonable period of time. The 

right to possession is not absolute, but subject to reasonable terms and conditions as set 

forth in the section including (i) the good cause showin by the issuing party, (ii) the rights 

and needs of the person subpoenaed, and (iii) the feasibility and appropriateness of making 

copies of the material. 

New Section (d) specifically addresses subpoenaed records for trial. This new section 

allows for service of the subpoena and delivery of records to the attorney or self-represented 

party at the return address set forth in the subpoena. A copy of the subpoena shall 

be served upon all parties simultaneously and the party receiving such subpoenaed records, 

in any format shall deliver a complete copy of such records in the same format to all 

opposing counsel and self-represented parties where applicable. Section (d) became effective 

August 24, 2018. 

This new section should promote a more efficient review of trial records in that counsel 

no longer became required to make the trial subpoena returnable to the Courthouse nor 

will counsel be limited to viewing subpoenaed records during the limited times available 

in a subpoened record room. 

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

Other Co-Chairs: Jacqueline Hattar & Kimberly Sheehan 


from page 9 

bers whose efforts in assisting domestic violence 

victims are carried out daily in their 

legal practices and public office positions. 

The WWBA is also a proud supporter of 

the PWJC and you may recall we recognized 

the PWJC at our Annual Dinner on 

June 6, 2018. This year, at the PWJC’s 

annual “Making a Difference Benefit Dinner” 

on October 24, 2018, WWBA member 

Jacqueline Hattar, Esq. will be honored 

along with Anne Marie Hynes, Esq. 

so please make sure to attend and support. 

According to the CDC, some of the 

risk factors for breast cancer include: getting 

older (most are diagnosed after age 

50); genetic mutations such as BRCA1 and 

BRCA2; personal or family history of breast 

cancer; previous radiation; not being 

physically active; obesity; drinking alcohol 

and smoking. www.cdc.gov/cancer/ 

breast/basic_info/risk_factors.htm 

Personally, I do not have any of those 

“risk” factors. Yet, I was not insulated from 

potential cancer. I am certainly no expert 

on the topic of breast cancer and do not 

profess to have any medical background 

or training on the subject but I have 



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Chapter News and Announcements 

Announcements & Notes on Members 

❑ Mary Beth Quaranta Morrissey, 

Esq., PhD, , MPH, past chair of the 

WWBA Elder, Health and Reproductive 

Rights Committee, has become president 

of the American Psychological Association 

Society for Theoretical and 

Philosophical Psychology. She’s the first 

scholar of law and the 10th woman to 

hold this national office since the APA 

Society’s founding in 1963. On September 

10th, Mary Beth’s career milestone 

was recognized on social media 

by Fordham Law School (’82) as part 

of the opening of its 100-years of 

Women celebrations. Mary Beth’s interdisciplinary 

scholarship and policy advocacy 

are located at the intersection 

of health law and policy, health research 

and ethics. ◗ 

Mary Beth Quaranta Morrissey 

Legal Services of The Hudson Valley To Honor 

Volunteers During National Pro Bono 

Celebration Week 

from page 6 

❑ Emily P. P 

. Kahn 

of Walsh & Amicucci LLP. Emily Kahn has acted as mentor to several 

staff attorneys seeking guidance in cases involving issues of trusts and estates. 

❑ The volunteer attorneys of Westchester CLARO (Civil Legal Advice and 

Resource Office) Program, for offering free legal advice to unrepresented Westchester 

residents being sued by creditors. 

LSHV’s Pro Bono Week Awards Ceremony will be held Tuesday, October 23, from 

5:30-7:00PM at LSHV’s headquarters: 90 Maple Avenue, White Plains, NY 10601. To 

attend the event, RSVP by Tuesday, October 16th by calling 914-949-1305 ext 174 or 

emailing gbuck@lshv.org. 

Speaking of the Pro Bono Week celebrations, LSHV Pro Bono Director Christopher 

Oldi said, “We at LSHV are grateful to Deb and Emily for their invaluable mentorship, 

and to the volunteer attorneys of Westchester CLARO for their service to vulnerable 

Westchester residents. We are honored to partner with these attorneys in this important 

work.” 

LSHV is the only provider of free, comprehensive civil (non-criminal) legal services 

to low-income and disadvantaged individuals and families in the Hudson Valley who 

cannot afford an attorney when their basic human needs are at stake. This includes 

urgent legal needs such as: domestic violence (orders of protection, child custody, 

etc.), housing emergencies (eviction and foreclosure prevention), healthcare, children’s 

law and advocacy, disability and benefits, elder law, consumer fraud and more. Founded 

more than 50 years ago, LSHV serves the seven counties of the lower and mid-Hudson 

Valley (Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, Orange, Ulster and Sullivan), maintaining 

a staff of 135 individuals - including 80 attorneys and 27 paralegals - working 

across nine offices throughout its service area. Last year alone the organization handled 

15,000 cases impacting more than 34,000 household members. 

For more information about LSHV, please visit its website www.lshv.org. ◗ 

Become a New 

Member Today 

RENEW YOUR 

WWBA MEMBERSHIP TODAY 

FOR THE PERIOD 

JUNE 1, 2018 TO MAY 31, 2019. 

RENEW NOW! DON’T WAIT! 

WWBA Membership includes 

membership to the Women’s Bar 

Association of the State of New York 

(WBASNY). 

January 31, 2019 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. 

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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. 


from page 9 

learned from my personal experience just 

how critically important it is for every 

woman to perform routine self-examinations 

and have an annual mammogram. 

To sum it up: I do not smoke, rarely 

drink alcohol, am not over 50, am not 

obese, exercise vigorously 5-6 times per 

week, do not have genetic mutations (yes 

I was tested) and have not been exposed 

to radiation. My family history of breast 

cancer was never considered a calculable 

risk because it was not my mother, sister 

or other close relative but rather those 

more distant such as second and third 

cousins. 

Yet, for me, three years ago at the age 

of 43, I was advised in a phone call that 

literally stopped me in my tracks that something 

suspicious appeared on my routine 

annual mammogram. After several follow 

up visits it was confirmed that I had atypical 

hyperplasia which was described as a 

mounding of cells that literally equaled the 

size of “grains of sand.” I was told early 

detection and early treatment were key to 

prevent the development of this atypia into 

breast cancer. The detection occurred long 

before a lump or mass could be felt by self 

or doctor examination but yet that mounding 

of cells still needed to be removed and 

a five course of treatment prescribed thereafter. 

Now, I am thankful every day that I 

am a person who was fortunate to benefit 

from early detection and that I was able to 

have the cells removed before they spread 

due in large part to the fact that I had access 

to good medical care. 

However, it was also due in large part 

to the fact that I did not skip my annual 

mammogram. Since that time, I have 

talked to so many women, friends, colleagues 

and family members, who 

nonchalantly state “oh yeah I have to 

schedule my mammogram” or “do I really 

need to have a mammogram every year” 

or “I keep putting it off because I don’t 

have time” or any other routine excuse. 

Sure we are all busy, between practicing 

law, raising families, caring for our parents, 

and attempting to have some work 

life balance, but that is simply not a good 

excuse to put your health on hold. 

For those that know me, I do not share 

personal information readily and am not 

doing so now to evoke sympathy or even 

words of support. Rather, I do so with the 

sincere hope that my personal story is read 

by WWBA members and that my personal 

story motivates you to perform routine self 

exams, schedule your annual mammogram, 

and stay on top of your breast 

health. If I had put off my mammogram 

that year I have no doubt I would have put 

myself at significantly higher risk, more invasive 

surgery, and a worse outcome. 

In recognition of October being Breast 

Cancer Awareness month, the WWBA has 

two important events in the month of October 

that I highly encourage you to attend. 

The first is our FREE Breast Cancer 

Awareness program on October 18, 2018 

at 12:30 p.m. at the Westchester County 

Courthouse. The program is sponsored 

by the WWBA and JALBCA and lunch will 

be served. This annual WWBA program is 

well known for providing a wealth of information 

about breast cancer awareness, 

including overall breast health, early signs 

of the disease, risk factors, and treatment 

options. 

In addition, on October 21, 2018 

please join Team Orbach and the WWBA 

walkers at the annual American Cancer 

Society 2018 Walk at Manhattanville College. 

Every year WWBA member Adrienne 

Orbach organizes a fundraising effort and 

a WWBA team to participate in the Making 

Strides against Breast Cancer Walk. 

Please make sure to register. 

Details about these and other upcoming 

programs, networking events, and CLEs 

can be found at our online calendar and 

in the weekly Update emailed to each of 

our members every Tuesday. The online 

calendar also contains easy links for registering 

for all programs. https:// 

wwbany.org/Calendar-and-Events. ◗ 


Page 11

WWBA Schedule of Upcoming Events 

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

Collaborative Law, 

Matrimonial, and Mediation 

Committees 

10/2/18 

5:30 PM 

Registration 

6:00-8:00 PM 

Light Dinner and 

Program 

Board of Directors Meeting 10/3/18 

5:30-7:30 PM 

WWBA Women in 

Professional Transition 

Project 

10/5/18 

1:00 PM 

Networking Committee 10/11/18 

6:00-8:00 PM 

Families, Children, and the 

Courts, Immigration, 

Domestic Violence, and 

Diversity & Inclusion 

Committees 

Judges & Lawyers Breast 

Cancer Alert (JALBCA) 

10/16/18 

5:30-6:00 PM 

Registration 

(Light supper 

served) 

6:00-8:00 PM 

Program 

10/18/18 

12:30 PM 

Light lunch will 

be served 

Breast Cancer Committee 10/21/18 

9:30 AM 

Legal Services of the 

Hudson Valley 

10/23/18 

5:30-7:00 PM 

Wine and light 

refreshments will 

be served 

BNY Mellon 


White Plains, NY 

BNY Mellon 



445 Café 



445 Café 

Conference Room 



Elisabeth Haub School of 

Law at Pace University 

Tudor Room 

78 North Broadway 


Westchester County 

Courthouse 

9 th Floor Conference 

Room 

111 Dr. Martin Luther 

King, Jr. Blvd. 


Manhattanville College 

2900 Purchase Street 

Purchase, NY 

Legal Services of the 

Hudson Valley 

90 Maple Avenue 


Taxing Problems: How 

the New Tax Laws Will 

Impact You and Your 

Practice 

“First Fridays” with the 

WWBA’s Women in 

Professional Transition 

Project 

One Hope Wine Tasting 

Event: A Night of 

Networking 

Advocating for Families 

in Crisis: Navigating 

the Intersection of 

Family and Immigration 

Law 

2 CLE Credits – 1.5 in 

Professional Practice 

and .5 in Diversity and 

Inclusion (pending 

approval)* 

Breast Health; Early 

Signs of Disease; Risk 

Factors; and Treatment 

Options 

Making Strides Against 

Breast Cancer – Team 

Orbach 

National Pro Bono 

Week Awards 

Ceremony 

Please RSVP by September 25, 

2018 online at www.wwbany.org 

or email 

executivedirector@wwbany.org 

For questions or if you are not able 

to attend contact: Kim Berg at 

president@wwbany.org 

No RSVP necessary 

For more information go to 


Please RSVP by October 8, 2018 

online at www.wwbany.org or 

email 


Please RSVP by October 5, 2018 


email 


For questions contact Lauren 

Morrissey, Esq. at 

lsm12@optonline.net or (ph) 914- 

762-1260 

RSVP online at www.wwbany.org 

or email 


Register online at 


RSVP by Tuesday, October 16 th by 

calling 914-949-1305 ext 174 or 

emailing gbuck@lshv.org 

Pace Women’s Justice 

Center 

Elder and Health Law 

Committee 

Education Law Committee 10/30/18 

6:00-8:00 PM 

10/24/18 Doral Arrowwood 

Rye Brook, NY 

10/29/18 

5:30-6:00 PM 

Registration 

(Light supper 

served) 

6:00-8:00 PM 

Program 

Wells Fargo Bank 

50 Main Street, 5 th Floor 

Westchester Conference 

Room 


Keane & Beane 

Conference Room 


Suite1500 


Making A Difference 

Annual Benefit Dinner 

NY-FL Snowbirds: 

Estate Planning and 

Elder Law 

Considerations 

2 CLE Credits – Ethics 

and Skills (pending 

approval)* 

Student Residency 

For more information email 

pwjcevents@law.pace.edu 

Please RSVP by October 20,2018 


email 


For questions, please contact Pat 

Angley at pangley@lshv.org or 

914-949-1305 

Registration details to follow 

REMEMBER, YOU CAN FIND THE WBASNY WEB PAGE 

AT WWW.WBASNY.ORG. 

PLEASE REMEMBER TO RECYCLE 

Connect 

with 

us 

THE WWBA MEMBERSHIP PERIOD FOR 

2018-2019 BEGINS ON JUNE 1, 2018. 

PLEASE RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP TOD 

ODAY AT 

WWW.WWBANY 

.WWBANY.ORG 

.ORG

WWBA October 2018 Newsletter

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