06.03.2019 Views

WWBA March 2019 Newsletter

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

Westchester Women’s Bar Association<br />

MARCH <strong>2019</strong><br />

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

February General Membership Meeting:<br />

CLE Program on the Ethics of Spreading<br />

Yourself Too Thin<br />

Lisa Bluestein<br />

O<br />

n February 6, <strong>2019</strong>, the Grievance and Ethics<br />

Committee and the Corporate and Commercial<br />

Committee jointly presented a CLE at the General<br />

Membership Meeting entitled “Ethics Update <strong>2019</strong>: Beware<br />

- You Can’t Be Everything To Every Client! A Review of Conflicts<br />

and Other Practice Issues.” For those who have not<br />

attended a <strong>WWBA</strong> Ethics CLE, you are missing out on the<br />

“brilliant” acting of the “Not Ready for Prime-Time Players.”<br />

This program’s acting troupe included Lisa M. Bluestein,<br />

Dolores Gebhardt, Seymour James, and Virginia Trunkes.<br />

Deborah Scalise moderated the program.<br />

INSIDE THIS ISSUE<br />

MARCH <strong>2019</strong><br />

An Interview with<br />

Cynthia K. Dunne<br />

(page 5)<br />

Litigation Tip – Client Rights<br />

and Responsibilities<br />

(page 7)<br />

<strong>2019</strong>/2020 <strong>WWBA</strong> Slate<br />

of Officers and Directors<br />

(page 8)<br />

Upcoming Events<br />

(page 10)<br />

SAVE THE DATE<br />

PINK AND TEAL<br />

SEMINAR<br />

<strong>March</strong> 14, <strong>2019</strong><br />

White Plains, New York<br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News<br />

news<br />

www.wwbany.org<br />

Lisa M. Bluestein and<br />

Deborah Scalise<br />

The group acted out a scenario involving a small-town sole practitioner, Average<br />

Josephine, Esq., who took on a variety of matters for a local family, in which there were<br />

multiple conflicts of interest between the family members as well as with the sole practitioner.<br />

The sole practitioner also failed to perform some of the work for which she was<br />

retained and improperly withdrew client funds, which was then discovered by new<br />

attorney, Steve Smartypants, Esq. The moderator, presenters, and the audience identified<br />

the ethical issues and discussed how they should have been handled. The presenters<br />

also discussed use of corporate forms, promissory notes, brokerage agreements,<br />

and lease agreements. It was a great interactive program and provided attendees<br />

much food for thought. ◗<br />

THE EFFECT OF<br />

BANKRUPTCY LAWS ON<br />

MATRIMONIAL AND<br />

REAL ESTATE PRACTICE<br />

<strong>March</strong> 28, <strong>2019</strong><br />

White Plains, New York<br />

TOWN HALL WITH<br />

WOMEN LEADERS IN<br />

POLITICS<br />

April 4, <strong>2019</strong><br />

White Plains, New York<br />

PRESIDENT’S<br />

MESSAGE<br />

In honor of the<br />

month of <strong>March</strong> being<br />

Women’s History<br />

Month, I thought it<br />

would be fitting for all<br />

of us to take some<br />

time to reflect upon<br />

the women who have<br />

positively influenced<br />

us, personally and Kim Berg<br />

professionally, inspired us to succeed,<br />

and encouraged us to continue moving<br />

forward even when obstacles existed in<br />

our paths.<br />

It is no surprise that for us lawyers,<br />

when we think of notable women who<br />

have positively influenced we readily recognize<br />

them as trailblazers whose efforts<br />

and impact continues to positively influence<br />

our professional, and the advancement<br />

of women in our profession, even<br />

today. We have heard the horrifying statistics<br />

at several of our programs this past<br />

year and it remains true today that women<br />

lawyers are often under recognized for<br />

their talent and abilities. Some of the<br />

more notable women trailblazers in the<br />

law must of course include Supreme Court<br />

Justices Sandra Day O’Connor (appointed<br />

in 1981), Ruth Bader Ginsburg<br />

(appointed in 1993), Sonia Sotomayer<br />

(appointed in 2009) and Elena Kagan<br />

(appointed in 2010).<br />

Fortunately, I have positive role<br />

models as well in other important areas<br />

of my life, including in my martial arts<br />

training. As you probably know by now,<br />

about eight years ago, I embarked upon<br />

a personal wellness journey that I now<br />

know will be for my lifetime. Practicing<br />

martial arts has brought me better physicontinued<br />

on page 3 ➥<br />

Page 1<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 />

MARCH <strong>2019</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 />

~ 2018/<strong>2019</strong> Officers and Directors ~<br />

President KIM BERG<br />

President-Elect ANGELA MORCONE GIANNINI<br />

Vice Presidents<br />

HON. LISA M. SMITH AMANDA C. FRIED KRISTEN MOTEL<br />

Treasurer<br />

NATANYA L. BRIENDEL Recording Secretary SHERRY BISHKO<br />

Corresponding Secretary ELIZABETH Z. MARCUS<br />

Immediate Past ast President<br />

LISA M. DENIG<br />

Elected Directors Westchester Board<br />

SUSAN EDWARDS COLSON LISA M. DENIG LONYA A. GILBERT<br />

JENNIFER L. GRAY JACQUELINE HATTAR<br />

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

ROBIN D. CARTON LUCIA CHIOCCHIO DEBORAH FARBER-KAISER<br />

MARIAN GENIO THERESA A. GIROLAMO ANNETTE G. HASAPIDIS<br />

SUSAN MILLS RICHMOND JENNIFER ROBINSON<br />

Executive Director ELISABETH CAMPOS<br />

© Copyright <strong>2019</strong> 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 />

2018-<strong>2019</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, Virginia Trunkes<br />

Criminal Law ........... Lisa M. Denig, Hon. Sandra A. Forster, Amy Puerto<br />

Families’, Children & the Courts .......... Joy S. Joseph, Lauren Morrissey<br />

Amanda Rieben<br />

Grievance/Ethics ................................................... Deborah A. Scalise<br />

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

Judiciary ........................................................ Hon. Linda S. Jamieson<br />

Lawyering & Parenting .......................... Joelle M. Burton, Jennifer Gray<br />

Legislation ...................................... Natanya L. Briendel, Kitley Covill,<br />

Angela Morcone Gianinni<br />

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

Annual Dinner ................... Kim Berg, Lisa M. Denig, Robin D. Carton,<br />

Amanda C. Fried, Andrea Friedman, Angela Morcone Giannini,<br />

Jennifer L. Gray, 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<br />

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

Awards .............................. Elizabeth Barnhard, Deborah Farber-Kaiser<br />

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

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

Collaborative Law ............................ Kathleen Donelli, Michelle Lewis,<br />

Lynn J. Maier, Hon. Sondra M. Miller<br />

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

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

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

Cyber Law .............................................................. Georgea Mancuso<br />

Diversity and Inclusion ............. Jacqueline Hattar, Stephanie Melowsky<br />

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

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

Susan Mills Richmond<br />

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

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, Marian Genio, Kristen Motel<br />

Networking ...................... Jennifer Robinson, Alsion Sloto, Erica Sattler<br />

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

Professional Development .. Susan Edwards Colson, Stephanie Melowsky<br />

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

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

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

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

Marian Genio, Deborah Farber-Kaiser<br />

Taxation ........................................................... Patricia Rusch Bellucci<br />

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

Karen J. Walsh<br />

Golf Outing .................................. Gail M. Boggio, Adrienne Orbach<br />

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

Immigration ........................................ Nicole Feit, Laura A. Rosmarin<br />

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

Intellectual Property .. Elizabeth M. Barnhard, Theresa O’Rourke Nugent<br />

Judgment Enforcement & Collections ...................... Daniel F. Florio, Jr.<br />

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

Long Range Planning ............... Susan Edwards Colson, Lisa M. Denig<br />

Linda Markowitz<br />

Mediation ........................... Hon. Sondra M. Miller, Lauren S. Morrissey<br />

Donna Erez Navot, Abby Rosmarin<br />

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

Practice Management ......... Jamieson L. Keiser, Wendy Marie Weathers<br />

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

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

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

Wellness ................................ Jennifer Netrosio, Susan Mills Richmond<br />

Women in Leadership ............................................ Adrienne Arkontaky<br />

Network of Bar Leaders ................................................................. TBD<br />

Pace Board of Visitors ....................... Gail M. Boggio, Lonya A. Gilbert<br />

WBASNY Judicial Screening Committee ....................... Gail M. Boggio,<br />

Lisa M. Bluestein<br />

WBASNY Health Law/Reproductive Rights Committee ...... Shari Gordon<br />

WBASNY Nominations Committee .... Gail M. Boggio, Lisa M. Bluestein<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 />

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

President’s Message<br />

from page 1<br />

cal fitness, improved mental health, enhanced<br />

ability to cope with stressful situations,<br />

a fun outlet that I can enjoy with my<br />

family and training partners, and a large<br />

group of friends that I often refer to as my<br />

martial arts family. There are so many different<br />

disciplines under the umbrella of martial<br />

arts and I was particularly struck by the<br />

story of one woman who certainly was a<br />

trailblazer for women in Judo.<br />

Keiko Fukuda was born in Japan on<br />

April 12, 1913. As a young woman in Japan<br />

she was taught the typical “pursuits”<br />

for a woman: tea ceremonies, calligraphy,<br />

flower arrangements and the like. However,<br />

Keiko Fukuda also had a strong interest<br />

in pursuing martial arts training. She<br />

was influenced by her grandfather,<br />

Hachinosuke Fukuda, a jiu jitsu master who<br />

is credited with having taught the renowned<br />

Jigoro Kano, the founder of Judo and head<br />

of the Kodokan.<br />

Keiko Fukuda was certainly a woman<br />

of strength and one who broke through<br />

glass ceiling after glass ceiling throughout<br />

her entire martial arts career. Initially when<br />

she sought to embark upon a course of study<br />

of martial arts in Japan, women were not<br />

welcomed to practice. Nonetheless, Jigoro<br />

Kano invited her and other female students<br />

to practice under his tutelage. It is said he<br />

did so out of a strong sense of loyalty that<br />

he had to be her grandfather. Keiko Fukuda<br />

practiced until the time of her death at age<br />

99 in 2013 and was the last surviving student<br />

of Jigoro Kano.<br />

Despite the fact that Keiko Fukuda’s<br />

study of martial arts was strongly frowned<br />

upon by Japanese culture, and even by<br />

members of her own family, she did have<br />

the support and encouragement of her<br />

mother to pursue her strong desire to become<br />

a female martial arts practitioner. Even<br />

at a young age she knew that she was “Born<br />

for the Mat,” the title of her 1973 autobiography.<br />

Like many of the trailblazers we know<br />

in the legal and judiciary fields, Sensei<br />

Fukuda did not let gender bias and discrimination<br />

stop her from pursuing her destiny.<br />

Also like many women trailblazers we<br />

know, personal sacrifices were made along<br />

the way. Keiko Fukuda not only refused an<br />

arranged marriage, to later never marry or<br />

continued on page 4 ➥<br />

Editor’s Note<br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News<br />

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act. The rest is merely tenacity.”<br />

~ Amelia Earhart<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 secretary@wwbany.org.<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 secretary@wwbany.org to schedule a <strong>WWBA</strong> sponsored or cosponsored<br />

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, Elisabeth Campos<br />

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

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: secretary@wwbany.org<br />

Natanya L. Briendel, Programs Committee Co-Chair: tanyabriendel@gmail.com<br />

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

Kim Berg, 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 secretary@wwbany.org for any questions regarding advertising.<br />

Page 3


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

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

President’s Message<br />

from page 3<br />

have children, but she also left<br />

her home and family to come<br />

the United States where she<br />

hoped to be “accepted” as a<br />

female practitioner. She left Japan<br />

in 1966 with the rank of<br />

5th dan in Judo and eventually<br />

formed her own school in California<br />

where, at the height of<br />

4’11”, she began to spread the<br />

teachings of her Judo Master<br />

Jigoro Kano. At that time she<br />

was one of only four women in<br />

the world to have achieved the<br />

rank of 5th dan in Judo.<br />

While in the U.S., Keiko<br />

Fukuda continued to teach Judo<br />

for more than 70 years literally<br />

up until her death in 2013. She<br />

was not silent about the sacrifices<br />

she made in her personal<br />

life for the pursuit of her dream<br />

and she amiably referred to<br />

Judo as her “lifetime partner”<br />

and her “family.” As one who<br />

pursues various studies, includ-<br />

ing jiu jitsu, I identified with her<br />

characterization of the practice<br />

as a lifetime partner and one<br />

where I too have formed strong<br />

bonds with others that I refer to<br />

as my martial arts family.<br />

Keiko’s inner strength and<br />

integrity are not only admirable<br />

but those traits continued to propel<br />

her forward in the eyes of<br />

the world. Keiko Fukuda did<br />

not simply accept the artificial<br />

barriers that existed to her advancement<br />

in Judo. It was well<br />

known that even in the U.S. she<br />

continued to suffer discriminatory<br />

treatment where being a<br />

woman was the sole reason she,<br />

and other worthy female practitioners,<br />

were not awarded rank<br />

on par with their male counterparts.<br />

In fact, until 1972 there<br />

was a rule that prohibited women<br />

from being promoted to a rank<br />

higher than 5th dan regardless<br />

of the woman’s natural ability,<br />

years of practice, or any other<br />

objective factor that was based<br />

on merit.<br />

Through various campaigns,<br />

including where she referred<br />

to the Kodokan as “old<br />

fashioned and sexist” in their<br />

ranking system, Keiko was ultimately<br />

promoted to 6th dan –<br />

and at that time only one of three<br />

women in the world to be so<br />

promoted. Importantly, this was<br />

not a selfishly motivated pursuit.<br />

She dedicated much of her<br />

teachings to develop programs<br />

and camps that were specifically<br />

geared towards the advancement<br />

of women in the practice<br />

of Judo. She also established a<br />

Judo scholarship with the goal<br />

of encouraging other women to<br />

pursue training.<br />

Persevering in her efforts to<br />

obtain recognition equal to that<br />

bestowed upon male practitioners,<br />

Keiko Fukuda was certainly<br />

a woman of firsts: in 1994 she<br />

was the first woman to achieve<br />

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

a red belt (8th dan) in Judo; she<br />

was the first woman to be<br />

awarded the rank of 9th dan in<br />

2006; and ultimately she was the<br />

first to be awarded the 10th dan<br />

by both the USA Judo and<br />

USJF’s promotion boards in<br />

2011 (at the age of 98).<br />

Finally recognized, as she<br />

rightfully should be, as the true<br />

pioneer of women’s Judo, Keiko<br />

Fukuda is a woman that serves<br />

as a role model and inspiration<br />

to me. One of her famous<br />

quotes serves as a daily reminder<br />

to us in every aspect of our lives,<br />

personal and professional, and<br />

particularly when representing<br />

our clients: “Be gentle, kind and<br />

beautiful, yet firm and strong,<br />

both mentally and physically.”<br />

Like Keiko Fukuda, our<br />

founding “mothers” were pioneers<br />

in not only seeing the need<br />

for but in forming and cultivating<br />

the <strong>WWBA</strong> in 1973 – which<br />

continued on page 9 ➥<br />

Jamie O’Connell<br />

Wealth Director<br />

701 Westchester Avenue<br />

White Plains, NY 10604<br />

T 914 299 3050 F 955 498 2839<br />

jamie.o’connell@bnymellon.com<br />

www.bnymellonwealth.com<br />

A Leader in Serving the<br />

Legal Services Community.<br />

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 />

serving your unique needs at 914-367-9000,<br />

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


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

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

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

An Interview with Cynthia K. Dunne<br />

Susan L. Pollet<br />

Chair of the Archive and<br />

Historian Committee<br />

Q: Why did you become a<br />

member of the Westchester<br />

Women’s Bar Association and<br />

how have you participated in<br />

the organization over the<br />

years?<br />

A: When I was in law school,<br />

I worked part-time for a law<br />

firm in Westchester and one<br />

day attorney Lucille Fontana<br />

invited me to attend a luncheon<br />

meeting of the <strong>WWBA</strong><br />

as her guest. I enjoyed hearing<br />

the speaker and was impressed<br />

by the collegial discussions<br />

which followed the<br />

presentation.<br />

After graduation from law<br />

school, I worked in New York<br />

City but at times appeared in<br />

the White Plains courts and I<br />

lived in Westchester. My decision<br />

to join the <strong>WWBA</strong> was<br />

a natural choice.<br />

For a few years, I Chaired<br />

or Co-Chaired the Annual<br />

Dinner and I Co-Chaired the<br />

Criminal Law Committee for<br />

many years. The Annual Dinner,<br />

in particular, was a huge<br />

time commitment but I found<br />

the role fulfilling and was honored<br />

to be trusted with the responsibility.<br />

Q: Please tell us about your<br />

legal career.<br />

A: For 28 years I worked as<br />

an Assistant United States Attorney<br />

and Senior Trial Counsel<br />

in the Office of the United<br />

States Attorney (USAO) for the<br />

Southern District of New York.<br />

I was first based in the Manhattan<br />

Office, and then in the<br />

White Plains Division at the<br />

Federal Courthouse in White<br />

Plains. I served in both the<br />

Civil and Criminal Divisions<br />

of the USAO.<br />

“Believe in yourself and never<br />

doubt that you are as capable as<br />

your male counterparts. Women<br />

of my generation thought that we<br />

had forged the way for younger<br />

women in the workplace, but it is<br />

evident from the #MeToo movement<br />

that we did not have as<br />

much of an impact as we hoped.”<br />

In the Civil Division, I<br />

handled hundreds of defensive<br />

and affirmative civil cases from<br />

inception through appeal involving,<br />

among other issues,<br />

federal taxation, commercial<br />

disputes, creditors’ rights,<br />

Bivens liability, employment discrimination,<br />

regulatory penalties<br />

and disputes, constitutional<br />

challenges to statutes, injunctions,<br />

environmental litigation,<br />

personal injury, false claims litigation<br />

and prisoner litigation.<br />

I worked in the Criminal<br />

Division for more than two decades<br />

and investigated and<br />

prosecuted hundreds of cases<br />

from the investigative stage<br />

through appeal involving<br />

among other issues: public corruption,<br />

civil rights (hate crimes<br />

and abuse of authority), violent<br />

gang prosecutions, multimillion<br />

dollar frauds, complex<br />

tax frauds, RICO, money laundering,<br />

narcotics offenses,<br />

armed bank robberies, kidnap,<br />

weapons offenses, child pornography,<br />

Internet crimes, and<br />

others.<br />

On three separate occasions,<br />

I received the Director’s<br />

Award from the Executive Office<br />

of United States Attorneys.<br />

According to Justice Department<br />

publications, this award<br />

is presented only to select<br />

AUSAs and investigators who<br />

represent “the best in federal<br />

service, through exceptional<br />

service and work product benefitting<br />

the law enforcement<br />

community.” I also received the<br />

United States Department of<br />

Labor Secretary’s Exceptional<br />

Achievement Award (an<br />

equivalent honor to the<br />

Director’s Award), and during<br />

Mary Jo White’s tenure as<br />

United States Attorney, I received<br />

the United States Attorney’s Exceptional<br />

Achievement Award.<br />

For a few years, I served as the<br />

USAO’s Violence Against<br />

Women Act Coordinator.<br />

At the USAO I acquired<br />

extensive trial experience: I tried<br />

more than 25 multi-week jury<br />

trials in federal court to verdict;<br />

I handled countless hearings;<br />

and I argued more than 20<br />

appeals before the Second Circuit<br />

Court of Appeals and one<br />

before the NY Appellate Division,<br />

First Department. In addition,<br />

I trained new lawyers by<br />

serving as second chair or cocounsel<br />

through discovery,<br />

hearings, motions and trials.<br />

I took a leave of absence<br />

from the USAO in 2012, due<br />

to the demands of aging parents.<br />

Within minutes, I was<br />

Cynthia K. Dunne<br />

swamped by requests from<br />

neighbors and friends to participate<br />

in local activities. I<br />

assumed several volunteer<br />

and board positions with local<br />

civic and nonprofit groups,<br />

and officially resigned from<br />

federal service in 2013.<br />

I was appointed to the<br />

position of Associate Justice<br />

in the Village of Scarsdale, in<br />

February, 2016. The Associate<br />

Justice position is part time<br />

and permits me to maintain<br />

a law practice. Aside from the<br />

Judgeship, I have been involved<br />

in various matters including:<br />

federal criminal<br />

cases and prisoner matters;<br />

Clemency Petitions; corporate<br />

matters (regulatory, employment<br />

and litigation); Title IX<br />

proceedings involving alleged<br />

sexual assaults on college<br />

campuses and others.<br />

Q: What do you hope to<br />

accomplish professionally in<br />

the future?<br />

A: I enjoy working in the<br />

Scarsdale Village Court parttime<br />

and I hope to continue<br />

in that position as long as it<br />

remains an option. The<br />

Scarsdale Village Court is a<br />

wonderful place to work and<br />

continued on page 6 ➥<br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News<br />

Page 5


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

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○<br />

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○<br />

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

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

An Interview with Cynthia K. Dunne<br />

from previous page<br />

the courthouse staff is outstanding.<br />

Since retiring from federal<br />

service in 2013, I have not<br />

looked for additional legal<br />

work, but it has found me. I<br />

am most likely to take on a<br />

matter which is challenging<br />

and also has the potential to<br />

have a positive social impact.<br />

Q: What advice do you have<br />

for women lawyers entering<br />

the legal profession?<br />

A: Believe in yourself and<br />

never doubt that you are as<br />

capable as your male counterparts.<br />

Women of my generation<br />

thought that we had<br />

forged the way for younger<br />

women in the workplace, but<br />

it is evident from the #MeToo<br />

movement that we did not<br />

have as much of an impact<br />

as we hoped. Don’t be discouraged<br />

by overt or covert<br />

discrimination; don’t accept<br />

it and don’t be a bystander if<br />

you witness improper conduct.<br />

Develop relationships<br />

within your professional network<br />

and seek mentors. There<br />

is a fine line between advocating<br />

for yourself and coming<br />

off like you are entitled;<br />

tread carefully and seek advice<br />

before presenting a<br />

grievance. Like everything<br />

else, our attitudes often affect<br />

the outcome, so try to remain<br />

confident and positive.<br />

If you chose to have children,<br />

then make sure that you<br />

lead by example: encourage<br />

your children to be open and<br />

accepting of others; make<br />

sure that they understand the<br />

responsibility of the right to<br />

vote; and encourage them to<br />

be active citizens.<br />

Finally, consistent with my<br />

commitment to public service<br />

“When I announced that I was<br />

pregnant with my first child in<br />

1988, the next week my office<br />

space was reassigned to another<br />

AUSA and I was moved into the<br />

hallway – my supervisor assumed<br />

that I would quit. There was no<br />

maternity leave policy in place, and<br />

ultimately I was permitted to take<br />

leave without pay for six weeks.”<br />

I urge young women to consider<br />

careers in public service.<br />

Although you won’t make the<br />

highest salary in the profession,<br />

you will receive more handson<br />

experience at an earlier age<br />

than in the private sector and<br />

you will be part of the larger<br />

effort to do good.<br />

Q: Please tell us about your<br />

community activities.<br />

A: I serve on the Board of the<br />

League of Women Voters of<br />

Scarsdale, I am the third<br />

woman President in the 94<br />

years of the Scarsdale Rotary<br />

Club and I am a Director of<br />

Lakota Children’s Enrichment<br />

(LCE), a nonprofit which amplifies<br />

the voices of America’s<br />

most at risk youth on the Pine<br />

Ridge Indian Reservation in<br />

South Dakota. For several years<br />

I volunteered as the Program<br />

Director for LCE and spent<br />

months of each year in South<br />

Dakota. The last two years, I<br />

helped in the organization of<br />

TEDxYouth@DinosaurPark, an<br />

independently organized TED<br />

event which engages American<br />

Indian and Non-Native youth<br />

in Rapid City, SD. I remain an<br />

active member of my local<br />

church and have served on<br />

boards and committees<br />

throughout the decades. Finally,<br />

I am a frequent speaker<br />

at local civic and community<br />

clubs and other events.<br />

Q: How have you balanced<br />

your legal career with the rest<br />

of your life?<br />

A: When I announced that I<br />

was pregnant with my first child<br />

in 1988, the next week my office<br />

space was reassigned to<br />

another AUSA and I was<br />

moved into the hallway – my<br />

supervisor assumed that I would<br />

quit. There was no maternity<br />

leave policy in place, and ultimately<br />

I was permitted to take<br />

leave without pay for six weeks.<br />

Over the next few years, the<br />

Office experienced a baby<br />

boom and developed familyfriendly<br />

policies. In 1990, I proposed<br />

a work schedule which<br />

allowed me to take Fridays off<br />

without pay - if my schedule<br />

permitted, a schedule the office<br />

honored until my departure<br />

in 2013.<br />

My work schedule was<br />

crazy and I had three small<br />

children at home – one with<br />

very significant special needs.<br />

Due to my trial schedule, there<br />

were months when I did not<br />

have a day or weekend off,<br />

I worked 16-18 hour days,<br />

missed holidays and one<br />

year a family vacation was<br />

cancelled due to a trial which<br />

took weeks longer than expected.<br />

My husband and I tried<br />

to make dependable child<br />

care a priority, although we<br />

were not always completely<br />

successful. My husband<br />

covered at home on evenings<br />

and weekends during<br />

the periods when I was unavailable.<br />

Because his job<br />

often involved international<br />

travel, he scheduled trips<br />

around my anticipated trial<br />

schedule, and I covered at<br />

home while he was away.<br />

Juggling work and children<br />

and finding time for<br />

other activities was challenging<br />

but not impossible. It<br />

took the help of family,<br />

friends and neighbors to get<br />

through some of the<br />

rougher periods; yes, it took<br />

a village.<br />

When my children complained<br />

that I was not home<br />

for dinner nor meeting them<br />

for lunch like other parents,<br />

I explained that my job was<br />

not about making money<br />

and at the end of each and<br />

every day the world was a<br />

pinch of a better place because<br />

of the work that I was<br />

doing.<br />

My children frequently<br />

visited the Federal Courthouse<br />

in White Plains – they<br />

sat in the back of the courtroom<br />

and watched my hearings<br />

and trials. Today, my<br />

adult children are proud<br />

rather than resentful about<br />

my periods of extended absences<br />

and I am proud to<br />

say that for them, too, service<br />

and civic engagement<br />

are priorities. ◗<br />

Page 6<br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News


<strong>March</strong> Litigation Tip<br />

✦ TOPIC: 22 NYCRR1400.2 – STATEMENT OF CLIENT’S RIGHTS AND<br />

RESPONSIBILITIES<br />

Rule 22 NYCRR 1400.2 has been amended to include that attorneys in domestic relations matters<br />

must provide prospective clients with a statement of client’s rights and responsibilities at<br />

the initial attorney conference and prior to the signing of a written retainer agreement. The amended<br />

rule specifically addresses disclosure of pertinent areas of law regarding financial matters including<br />

the Child Support Standards Act and the Maintenance Guideline Statute.<br />

Further, attorneys must obtain a signed acknowledgement of receipt of the statement which is to<br />

be signed by the attorney, client and dated. The new amended rule became effective on February<br />

15, <strong>2019</strong>.<br />

Attorneys should review the new amended rule in its entirety prior to drafting a client rights and<br />

responsibility statement in order to ensure compliance with the Appellate Division rules. There<br />

are separate provisions applicable to representation without fee.<br />

Here are some of the amended rule statement requirements in representation with fee cases:<br />

Your attorney is providing you with this document to inform you of what you, as a client, are<br />

entitled to by law or by custom. To help prevent any misunderstanding between you and your attorney<br />

please read this document carefully.<br />

If you ever have any questions about these rights, or about the way your case is being handled once<br />

you retain the attorney, you are responsible to ask your attorney. Your attorney should be readily<br />

available to represent your best interests and to keep you informed about your case.<br />

You are responsible to communicate honestly, civilly and respectfully with your attorney.<br />

If you are hiring an attorney you and your attorney are required to sign a written retainer agreement<br />

which must set forth, in plain language, the nature of the relationship and the details of the fee<br />

arrangement. Before you sign the retainer agreement, you are responsible to read it and ask the<br />

attorney any questions you have before you sign it.<br />

The retainer fee you pay to the attorney, as is written in the retainer agreement, may not be enough<br />

money to pay for all the time that the attorney works on your case.<br />

If you engage in conduct which is found to be frivolous or meant to intentionally delay the case, you<br />

could be fined or sanctioned and/or responsible for additional fees.<br />

Attorneys and clients must make reasonable efforts to maintain open communication during business<br />

hours throughout the representation. An attorney may seek to be relieved as your attorney if<br />

you are not honest and truthful with her or him.<br />

Your attorney is required to discuss the following with you: a) the automatic orders that are in effect<br />

once either party files a summons with notice; b) the law the provides for the financial support of the<br />

children, the Child Support Standards Act, if you and the other party have children under the age of<br />

twenty-one; and c) the law that provides for the financial support of the parties, the Maintenance<br />

Guidelines Statute.<br />

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

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

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News<br />

Page 7


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

Chapter News and Announcements<br />

Announcements & Notes on Members<br />

❑ Donna Frosco<br />

rosco, <strong>WWBA</strong> Board Member and Past President of WBASNY, was<br />

recently honored with an award and had an article published. Donna has been<br />

named 2018 Lawyer of The Year in the field of Complex Litigation (U.S.A) by Lawyer<br />

Monthly magazine. Lawyer Monthly is a global publication of news, analyses and<br />

features for the legal profession. It also hosts Lawyer-Monthly.com, a daily on-line<br />

legal news site. The awards edition is available online at: https://legalawards.lawyermonthly.com/winners-edition/<br />

Donna's article, “Honey Badger May Not Care, But You Should: A 1930’s<br />

Film Star, A 30 Year Old Legal Test, & Trademark in the Age of Digital Content” was<br />

selected for publication in the NYSBA Entertainment, Art & Sports Law (EASL) Section’s<br />

30th Anniversary Magazine. The article, written with her associate, L. Elizabeth<br />

Dale, Esq., examines a recent ruling relating to YouTube.com video content, the<br />

opportunity for content authors to protect and monetize viral their works and commercial<br />

appropriation of trademarks that enter the American lexicon via social<br />

media and digital platforms. If you are interested in a 30 year-old 2nd Circuit<br />

trademark case, Federico Fellini, Ginger Rodgers and how they relate to viral<br />

social media – this is a link to the published article: http://www.nysba.org/WorkArea/<br />

DownloadAsset.aspx?id=87633<br />

Donna is a partner at Dunnington, Bartholow and Miller, LLP. She can be<br />

reached at dfrosco@dunnington.com. ◗<br />

<strong>2019</strong>/2020 Westchester Women’s Bar<br />

Association Slate of Officers and Directors<br />

Pursuant to Articles VI and IX of the by-laws of the Westchester Women’s Bar<br />

Association, voting for the following slate of Officers and Directors will take place at<br />

the General Membership and Annual Meeting on April 4, <strong>2019</strong>:<br />

President<br />

Angela Morcone Giannini<br />

President<br />

resident-Elect<br />

Hon. Lisa M. Smith<br />

Vice Presidents<br />

Amanda Fried • Jennifer Gray • Jaqueline Hattar<br />

Treasurer<br />

Natanya L. Briendel<br />

Corresponding Secretary<br />

Jennifer Robinson<br />

Recording Secretary<br />

Elizabeth Marcus<br />

State Directors<br />

Robin D. Carton • Ann McNulty • Shari Gordon<br />

Annette Hasapidis • Marian Genio • Susan Mills Richmond<br />

Kristen Motel • Deborah Farber-Kaiser<br />

Elected Directors<br />

Kim Berg • Lisa M. Denig • Lucia Chiocchio<br />

Lisa Bluestein • Lonya Gilbert<br />

Become a New<br />

Member Today<br />

RENEW YOUR<br />

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

FOR THE PERIOD<br />

JUNE 1, 2018 TO MAY 31, <strong>2019</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>2019</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 />

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 8<br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News


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

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

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

Westchester Women’s Bar Association New Members<br />

The Westchester Women’s Bar Association proudly welcomes our newest members:<br />

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

THIS INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS OF THE <strong>WWBA</strong> ONLY.<br />

President’s Message<br />

from page 4<br />

has now grown to an organization<br />

of 500+ men and women<br />

attorneys and law students. We<br />

are certainly proud of how far<br />

the <strong>WWBA</strong> has come over the<br />

past 45 years and 2018-<strong>2019</strong><br />

makes evident the <strong>WWBA</strong>’s continuing<br />

momentum. Our committee<br />

co-chairs are focusing on<br />

actively planning a wide variety<br />

of programs and events for<br />

<strong>March</strong>, April and May. I have<br />

said many times before, there is<br />

something for everyone at the<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong>, so please take a look<br />

at our online calendar and register<br />

for those that interest you.<br />

We have already had a<br />

number of very well attended<br />

events in <strong>2019</strong>. On January 24,<br />

<strong>2019</strong>, one of our Networking<br />

Committee co-chairs, Allison<br />

Sloto, planned a fun outing to<br />

Muse Paint Bar in White Plains.<br />

Our <strong>WWBA</strong> members and their<br />

guests definitely explored our<br />

creative sides painting our own<br />

version of a lighthouse on the<br />

water. We certainly had a lot of<br />

fun and hearty laughs in the process.<br />

As part of the mentor program,<br />

on February 4, <strong>2019</strong> the<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> presented a program for<br />

Pace Law Students at which I<br />

spoke along with the Honorable<br />

Lisa M. Smith, Honorable Judith<br />

C. McCarthy, and Angela<br />

Morcone Giannini on the critically<br />

important topic of courtroom<br />

etiquette, civility and professionalism.<br />

The response from<br />

the students was overwhelmingly<br />

positive and the value the<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> was able to provide them<br />

at this stage in the pursuit of a<br />

legal career was tremendous.<br />

Also on February 11,<br />

<strong>2019</strong>, in recognition of heart<br />

healthy month, the Wellness<br />

Committee offered a free one<br />

hour yoga seminar, followed by<br />

a brief social, hosted by our own<br />

Jennifer Netrosio.<br />

Of course, the year would<br />

not be off to the right start without<br />

our annual Ethics Update<br />

by Deborah Scalise. Although<br />

postponed from January 9th to<br />

February 6th, as always with this<br />

annual event the room was<br />

packed and it was a lively presentation<br />

of a serious subject.<br />

Deb Scalise’s guidance in the<br />

area of ethics and professionalism<br />

is invaluable and the<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> is so lucky to have her.<br />

I must recognize that Deb<br />

Scalise’s volunteer work extends<br />

far beyond this annual <strong>WWBA</strong><br />

program, so much so that her<br />

steady and continued efforts toward<br />

improving the legal profession<br />

were recognized by the<br />

NYSBA on January 18, <strong>2019</strong>.<br />

We are all so proud of Deb, who<br />

received the prestigious Ruth G.<br />

Schapiro Memorial Award at the<br />

NYSBA House of Delegates meeting<br />

and in the presence of her<br />

family and her <strong>WWBA</strong> family.<br />

Thank you to all of the <strong>WWBA</strong><br />

members who attended to support<br />

Deb. As I have always said,<br />

the support we show for our members<br />

is immense and truly what<br />

makes the <strong>WWBA</strong> unique.<br />

Finally, it is the time of year<br />

for our election of the officers and<br />

directors for next term. ALL MEM-<br />

BERS ARE WELCOME TO AT-<br />

TEND OUR April 4, <strong>2019</strong> Annual<br />

Meeting and General<br />

Membership Meeting. After we<br />

vote on the slate of officers and<br />

directors, an impressive panel<br />

titled “A Town Hall with Women<br />

Leaders in Politics” featuring<br />

New York State Senator/Senate<br />

Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-<br />

Cousins, New York State Assemblywoman<br />

Catalina Crus, and<br />

New York State Senator Shelley<br />

Mayer will be presented. Don’t<br />

miss out! ◗<br />

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

Family Friendly Award Nominations<br />

The <strong>WWBA</strong>’s Lawyering & Parenting Committee is seeking<br />

nominations for the <strong>2019</strong> Family Friendly Award. A critical component<br />

of success for today’s law practices and related businesses<br />

is the creation of an environment that encourages employees to<br />

balance professional and family responsibilities. The <strong>WWBA</strong> has<br />

long recognized and honored those legal employers who provide<br />

“family friendly” work environments.<br />

Nominations for the <strong>2019</strong> <strong>WWBA</strong> Family Friendly Award are<br />

now being accepted. Any legal or law related business employer<br />

with an office located in Westchester County in either the public or<br />

private sector (including in-house legal departments) employing<br />

at least three attorneys is eligible for nomination. At least one employee<br />

of the organization must be a <strong>WWBA</strong> member. Factors to<br />

be considered include opportunities for part-time employment, flexible<br />

work schedules, maternity and paternity leave policies,<br />

telecommuting options, and partnership and executive leadership<br />

opportunities for part-time employees.<br />

Please visit <strong>WWBA</strong>’s website or contact Joelle M. Burton at<br />

joelleburton11@gmail.com or Jennifer Gray at jgray@kblaw.com<br />

for nomination forms. The nomination deadline is April 22, <strong>2019</strong><br />

and will be presented at the Annual Dinner on June 12, <strong>2019</strong>. ◗<br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News<br />

Page 9


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

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

Board of Directors Meeting 3/6/19<br />

5:30-7:30 P.M.<br />

A FREE Series presented by<br />

WCBA’s New Lawyers<br />

Section, <strong>WWBA</strong>, and the<br />

NY State Trial Lawyers<br />

3/13/19<br />

12:30 P.M.<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> 3/14/19<br />

12:30 P.M.<br />

Registration and<br />

lunch<br />

1:00-2:00 P.M.<br />

Program<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> Book Club 3/14/19<br />

6:00 P.M.<br />

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

Bankruptcy Committee<br />

Board of Directors and<br />

General Membership<br />

Meeting<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> Diversity &<br />

Inclusion Committee and<br />

Litigation Committee<br />

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

Professional Transition<br />

Project<br />

3/28/19<br />

5:00 P.M.<br />

Networking and<br />

Registration<br />

5:30-7:30 P.M.<br />

Program<br />

Light<br />

refreshments will<br />

be served<br />

4/4/19<br />

Board Meeting<br />

5:30-6:00 P.M.<br />

General<br />

Membership<br />

Meeting 6:00-<br />

7:30 P.M.<br />

Light supper<br />

provided<br />

4/5/19<br />

1:00 P.M.<br />

BNY Mellon<br />

701 Westchester Ave.<br />

White Plains, NY<br />

Westchester County<br />

Courthouse,<br />

Attorney Lounge, 2nd<br />

Floor<br />

111 Dr. Martin Luther<br />

King Jr. Blvd.<br />

White Plains, New York<br />

Welby Brady &<br />

Greenblatt, LLP<br />

11 Martine Avenue,<br />

Penthouse<br />

White Plains, NY<br />

Lisa M. Denig’s Home<br />

Valhalla, NY<br />

120 Bloomingdale Road,<br />

Suite 400<br />

White Plains, NY<br />

Wilson Elser 1133<br />

Westchester Avenue<br />

(Westchester Conference<br />

Room)<br />

White Plains, NY<br />

Enter through Parking<br />

Lot Section C –<br />

Reception desk located<br />

on 1 st Floor<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 />

Brown Bag Lunch<br />

Series featuring the<br />

Hon. Linda S. Jamieson<br />

with special guest, Hon.<br />

David F. Everett, JSC,<br />

presiding in<br />

Matrimonial Part<br />

Pink & Teal Seminar<br />

What Do You Really<br />

Know About Breast and<br />

Ovarian Cancers?<br />

Eighth Meeting of the<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> Book Club<br />

Book:<br />

“An American<br />

Marriage” by Tayari<br />

Jones<br />

Spouses, House, and<br />

Financial Liquidation:<br />

The Effect of<br />

Bankruptcy Laws/<br />

Practice on Matrimonial<br />

and Real Estate Practice<br />

“A Town Hall with<br />

Women Leaders in<br />

Politics”<br />

This program will<br />

address issues that<br />

concern women,<br />

children, and families<br />

Guest Panelists: Hon.<br />

Andrea Stewart-<br />

Cousins, Hon. Catalina<br />

Cruz, and Hon. Shelley<br />

Mayer<br />

“First Fridays” with the<br />

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

Professional Transition<br />

Project<br />

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

to attend contact:<br />

Kim Berg at<br />

president@wwbany.org<br />

RSVP online at<br />

www.wcbany.org<br />

Register online at<br />

www.wwbany.org<br />

Register online at<br />

www.wwbany.org<br />

Register online by <strong>March</strong> 21, <strong>2019</strong><br />

at www.wwbany.org<br />

Questions: Contact Susan Mills<br />

Richmond at smillsrich@aol.com<br />

Register online at<br />

www.wwbany.org<br />

Questions: Contact Susan Mills<br />

Richmond at smillsrich@aol.com<br />

No RSVP necessary<br />

For more information go to<br />

www.wwbany.org<br />

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

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

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

2018-<strong>2019</strong> BEGINS ON JUNE 1, 2018.<br />

PLEASE RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP TOD<br />

ODAY AT<br />

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

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

.ORG

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!