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WWBA Summer 2020 Newsletter

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Westchester Women’s Bar Association<br />

SUMMER <strong>2020</strong><br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> <strong>2020</strong> ANNUAL<br />

INSTALLATION DINNER<br />

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

T<br />

he Westchester Women’s Bar Association Virtual Installation of Officers was<br />

held on June 17, <strong>2020</strong>. This was the first year the installation was held virtually,<br />

and the event was a huge success.<br />

Outgoing President, Angela Morcone Giannini gave a lovely speech, as did Incoming<br />

President, The Honorable Lisa Margaret Smith.<br />

The Presidential Oath was administered by The Honorable Colleen McMahon,<br />

Chief Judge, Southern District of New York, while the oaths for the Executive Board were<br />

administered by The Honorable Sondra M. Miller, Associate Justice, Appellate Division,<br />

Second Department (retired).<br />

INSIDE THIS ISSUE<br />

JUNE <strong>2020</strong><br />

Intimate Partner Violence<br />

and COVID-19<br />

(page 5)<br />

An Interview with<br />

Virginia K. Trunkes<br />

(page 7)<br />

Chapter News and<br />

Announcements<br />

(page 10)<br />

Upcoming Events<br />

(page 12)<br />

Turn to page 6 for more photos from the <strong>WWBA</strong> <strong>2020</strong> Virtual Installation Dinner ➥<br />

SAVE THE DATE<br />

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

BOOK CLUB<br />

August 4, <strong>2020</strong><br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News<br />

news<br />

www.wwbany.org<br />

CHECK THE <strong>WWBA</strong><br />

WEBSITE AND FUTURE<br />

NEWSLETTER ISSUES<br />

FOR EXCITING<br />

UPCOMING FALL AND<br />

WINTER EVENTS<br />

PRESIDENT’S<br />

MESSAGE<br />

Little did any of<br />

us know last June<br />

when I was sworn in<br />

as President and I<br />

challenged us to<br />

“see far and go far”<br />

that we would be<br />

facing this new world<br />

thrown upon us.<br />

Social distancing<br />

went from being a<br />

Angela Morcone<br />

Giannini<br />

buzzword to a way of life. In the words<br />

of Maya Angelou, we were called upon<br />

“to stand up straight, realize who we<br />

are and that we can tower over our<br />

circumstances.” And we did just that.<br />

The <strong>WWBA</strong> remained constant in<br />

our lives as did our dedication to our<br />

members and our community. Through<br />

the leadership of our <strong>WWBA</strong> officers,<br />

and the support of the membership, in<br />

the spirit of togetherness, we at the<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> proudly “saw far and went far”.<br />

We faced the invisible adversary<br />

COVID19 head on. We were one of<br />

the first chapters in WBASNY to convert<br />

to virtual meetings and programs.<br />

Proudly, our members quickly went<br />

to work under difficult conditions helping<br />

our association help others. While<br />

the examples are many, a few highlights<br />

include member , Adrienne<br />

Orbach, giving us insight into the difficult<br />

times and needs of family members<br />

like hers working on the frontlines in<br />

Emergency rooms whose heroism safeguarded<br />

our communities. The <strong>WWBA</strong><br />

created a donation match drive and with<br />

the very generous support of the Foundation,<br />

the program raised over<br />

continued 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


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

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

SUMMER <strong>2020</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 />

~ 2019/<strong>2020</strong> Officers and Directors ~<br />

President ANGELA MORCONE GIANNINI<br />

President-Elect HON. LISA M. SMITH<br />

Vice Presidents<br />

AMANDA C. FRIED JENNIFER GRAY JACQUELINE HATTAR<br />

Treasurer<br />

NATANYA L. BRIENDEL Recording Secretary ELIZABETH Z. MARCUS<br />

Corresponding Secretary JENNIFER ROBINSON<br />

Immediate Past ast President<br />

KIM BERG<br />

Elected Directors Westchester Board<br />

KIM BERG LISA M. BLUESTEIN LUCIA CHIOCCHIO<br />

LISA M. DENIG LONYA A. GILBERT<br />

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

ROBIN D. CARTON DEBORAH FARBER-KAISER MARIAN GENIO<br />

SHARI GORDON ANN M. McNULTY<br />

SUSAN MILLS RICHMOND KRISTEN MOTEL<br />

Executive Director ELISABETH CAMPOS<br />

© Copyright <strong>2020</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: Jennifer Robinson • Designed and Printed by IPM Media Group, Inc. (516) 809-0501<br />

2019-<strong>2020</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 .................................................................. 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, Kimberly C. Sheehan<br />

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

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

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

Angela Morcone Giannini<br />

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

Membership ....................... Sherry Bishko, Marian Genio, Kristen Motel<br />

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

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

Professional Development/Placement ............... Susan Edwards Colson,<br />

Stephanie Melowsky<br />

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

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

Real Property ...................................... Allyson Lanahan, Michele Luzio<br />

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

Deborah Farber-Kaiser, Marian Genio<br />

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

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

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

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

Jennifer L. Gray, Jennifer N. Netrosio, Katie Wendle<br />

Annual Dinner Souvenir Journal .... Andrea B. Friedmanm Allison Sloto<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 Law ........................................................... Aisling Brady<br />

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

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

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

Janeen Thomas<br />

Domestic Violence ............ Lydia S. Antoncic, Marian Genio, Beth Levy<br />

Education ............................... 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 />

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

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

Immigration ................... Elizabeth Mastropolo, Karin Anderson Ponzer<br />

Intellectual Property .......................................... Elizabeth M. Barnhard<br />

Theresa O’Rourke Nugent<br />

Judgment Enforcement & Collections ....................... Michael Giannini<br />

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

Mentor .......................... Kim Berg, Sherry Bishko, Hon. Christine Sproat<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 Delegate ............................. Adrienne Arkontaky<br />

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

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

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

Lisa M. Bluestein<br />

WBASNY Nominations Committee Delegates .............. Gail M. Boggio<br />

Lisa M. Bluestein<br />

WBASNY Health Law/Reproductive Rights Committee ..... Shari Gordin<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


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President’s Message<br />

from page 1<br />

“I know that we all are<br />

eagerly awaiting the day<br />

we can once again meet<br />

in a conference room, sit<br />

side by side and engage in<br />

lively discussion . . . But<br />

for now, the new normal<br />

(if there is such a thing)<br />

will continue to include<br />

‘the virtual’ in business,<br />

education, family and<br />

social life.”<br />

Editor’s Note<br />

“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.”<br />

~ Audrey Hepburn<br />

What will you plant this summer?<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 Jennifer Robinson 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 />

$10,000.00 for these heroes. We likewise<br />

recognized the needs of our law students<br />

during the pandemic and offered<br />

mentoring guidance as they ventured into<br />

a new academic reality and also assisted<br />

with donations to assist in their economic<br />

and housing needs.<br />

Through the leadership of Past President<br />

Deborah Scalise and Incoming President<br />

the Honorable Lisa Margaret Smith,<br />

we converted our traditional Annual Law<br />

Day/ Take your Children to Work Day to a<br />

virtual event. This was no small endeavor.<br />

In collaboration with the SDNY, we presented<br />

a live webcast program to students<br />

throughout our county entitled “Your Vote,<br />

Your Voice, Our Democracy: The 19th<br />

Amendment. It was huge success with<br />

over 300 attendees and will be cataloged<br />

in the Second Circuit Educational Archives.<br />

Recognizing the importance of the<br />

vote, under the leadership of our law student<br />

member Megan Farrell, the <strong>WWBA</strong><br />

registered the most new voters earning our<br />

chapter first place in WBASNY’s voter registration<br />

program.<br />

Not only did our law students face<br />

economic issues, so did our members. Past<br />

President Kim Berg and Litigation Co Chair<br />

Rebecca McCloskey held a virtual Zoom<br />

CLE program to educate our members<br />

about the CARES act, government resources<br />

and other grants to help lessen<br />

the financial and economic hardships<br />

faced by our members. Myself and other<br />

WBASNY members also assisted with an<br />

continued on page 5 ➥<br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News<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 Jennifer Robinson 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 Jennifer Robinson, proceed with planning your program<br />

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 Jennifer Robinson, 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 />

Jennifer Robinson, 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 />

Angela Morcone Giannini, 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 Jennifer Robinson at secretary@wwbany.org for any questions regarding advertising.<br />

Page 3


HAVE A PREFERENCE OF MAT OR CHAIR FOR YOGA?<br />

Great News – <strong>WWBA</strong>’s Restorative Yoga Series Includes Both<br />

Jennifer N. Netrosio, Esq.<br />

Each month the <strong>WWBA</strong> Wellness<br />

Committee offers a complimentary yoga<br />

class to members and invited guests. The<br />

Restorative Yoga class, taught by yours truly,<br />

offers both chair and mat versions for each<br />

pose. Why? To make the practice accessible<br />

to all who want to participate.<br />

Now that we agree this class is accessible,<br />

why should you do it? To contemplate<br />

that, let’s first discuss the aim of<br />

yoga.<br />

According to the Yoga Sutras of<br />

Patanjali, the aim of yoga is to calm the<br />

fluctuations of your mind so that you can<br />

reside in your true nature (Yoga Sutras 1.2<br />

and 1.3). Believe it or not, your true nature<br />

is calm, joyous, and at peace. Yoga<br />

teaches that we make the best decisions,<br />

think clearly, and have the most creative<br />

thoughts from a still, calm place.<br />

Calming the mind is far from easy.<br />

Join us for our next Restorative Yoga<br />

class on July 14th @ 6:00 pm via<br />

ZOOM. Register on our website.<br />

Which is why we practice. There are many<br />

styles and techniques of yoga. Yoga is a<br />

technique that incorporates the use of props<br />

so that the students can comfortably hold<br />

poses for approximately 5 minutes (sometimes<br />

more). The poses are seated or laying<br />

down so that the student can safety<br />

surrender to gravity and feel rooted to the<br />

ground, making it more comfortable to<br />

maintain each pose.<br />

Our restorative practice includes hip<br />

openers, gentle twists, forward folds, and<br />

gentle backbends – sequenced together<br />

with the intention of restoring balance in<br />

the body. And though working with the<br />

body, we begin to still the mind.<br />

And why should you do it? Because<br />

you deserve to make clear decisions, come<br />

up with creative insights, and engage in<br />

actions that are consistent with whom you<br />

are. Your clients deserve this of you as<br />

well. ◗<br />

~ Meals for Medical Warriors ~<br />

On May 11, <strong>2020</strong> the <strong>WWBA</strong> participated in Meals for Medical Warriors and<br />

donated to feed 51 Emergency Room staff members at Orange Regional Hospital.<br />

Page 4<br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News


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“Intimate Partner Violence and the COVID-19 Pandemic in<br />

Westchester” Virtual Lunchtime Program<br />

Jennifer N. Netrosio, Esq.<br />

On June 11, <strong>2020</strong>,<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong>’s Wellness and Domestic<br />

Violence Committees hosted<br />

a virtual program via ZOOM:<br />

“Intimate Partner Violence and<br />

the COVID-19 Pandemic in<br />

Westchester – A Panel Discussion<br />

from Legal, Law Enforcement,<br />

and Mental Health Professionals.”<br />

Panelists included Detective<br />

Lieutenant Dennis Doherty from<br />

the White Plains Police Department,<br />

Jessica Grainger, MACJ,<br />

Director of Case Management,<br />

from Putnam Northern<br />

Westchester Women’s Resource<br />

Center (WRC), and Laurie<br />

Epstein, Esq. and Susan Carroll,<br />

Esq. from Pace Women’s Justice<br />

Center. Panelists offered their<br />

perspectives on the effect of New<br />

York’s shelter-in-place orders on<br />

intimate partner violence.<br />

All speakers shared that<br />

from page 3<br />

education letter circulated to<br />

WBASNY members with a<br />

checklist and resources for those<br />

e seeking financial assistance<br />

in their law practice in these trying<br />

times.<br />

We established a Coffeehouse<br />

Conversation Zoom call<br />

for member’s to share experiences<br />

in practicing during<br />

COVID19 and I am happy to<br />

report those will continue with<br />

the uplifting music that I have<br />

become very fond of and for<br />

those of you yet to join, please<br />

do, you will enjoy it!<br />

Our wellness committee in<br />

addition to offering tips on<br />

wellness and restorative yoga<br />

by Zoom, cochairs Susan Richmond<br />

and Jennifer Netrosiso<br />

collaborated with our DV cochairs<br />

Beth Levy and Tanya<br />

Briendel to host a program<br />

which included our WP Police<br />

Department, Community and<br />

education leaders for an open<br />

discussion of DV issues during<br />

Covid19 and sharing of available<br />

resources. These collaborative<br />

efforts were exactly what I<br />

was hoping to accomplish and<br />

the need to continue to do so<br />

is ever so great as we forge<br />

ahead in the new year.<br />

Importantly, we revitalized<br />

certain committees such as Immigration<br />

and welcomed many<br />

new committee co-chairs to<br />

serve on our Board including<br />

Criminal, Diversity, Judgments,<br />

Litigation, Matrimonial, Real<br />

Property and more. To our<br />

long standing members, I thank<br />

you all for encouraging new<br />

phone traffic to their respective<br />

call centers decreased dramatically<br />

for the last 2 weeks of<br />

March, which led them to adapt<br />

and find ways to service the community.<br />

They noted and discussed<br />

complications for domestic<br />

violence victims as a result<br />

of the directive to stay at<br />

home, such as: being with their<br />

abusers 24/7; being afraid to<br />

contact police and have them<br />

come to their home for fear of<br />

the COVID-19 virus; finding<br />

ways to contact local support/<br />

case managers without their<br />

abuser knowing. In family matters,<br />

issues arose of parents withholding<br />

visitation or child support<br />

related to COVID-19, and<br />

limited matters being heard by<br />

Courts.<br />

We learned from Jessica<br />

Grainger that the WRC remains<br />

open, operating remotely and on<br />

a no fee basis. With updated<br />

safety planning counseling, Jessica<br />

and her team finds creative<br />

ways to stay connected with their<br />

clients, who may have a difficult<br />

time making a phone call<br />

safely.<br />

Pace Women’s Justice Center<br />

also made a quick pivot to<br />

function remotely. Laurie Epstein<br />

shared her experiences with<br />

online court proceedings. Some<br />

relevant proceedings were<br />

deemed “essential” and thus<br />

heard via virtual court appearance.<br />

The court has not heard<br />

continued on page 9 ➥<br />

President’s message<br />

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members to take on leadership<br />

roles in our organization and<br />

to the new cochairs, I thank<br />

you for your willingness to share<br />

your expertise in your areas of<br />

practice with our membership<br />

and look forward to continuing<br />

to work with you.<br />

None of these accomplishments<br />

would have been possible<br />

without the encouragement,<br />

tireless work and dedication<br />

of my officers: Judge Lisa<br />

Margaret Smith, Amanda Fried,<br />

Jackie Hattar, Jennifer Gray,<br />

Tanya Briendel, Jennifer<br />

Robinson and Elizabeth<br />

Marcus. The words “thank<br />

you” do not seem nearly<br />

enough. Your willingness to<br />

help me lead this organization,<br />

your support, and creative<br />

ideas are very much appreciated.<br />

You have all made this<br />

journey a very enjoyable one<br />

for me and I so value the friendships<br />

we have forged. Thank<br />

you to our local directors Kim<br />

Berg, Lisa Denig, Lucia<br />

Chiocchio, Lisa Bluestein, and<br />

Lonya Gilbert for their support<br />

as Past Presidents and their<br />

work on behalf of the <strong>WWBA</strong><br />

in our local communities.<br />

Thank you to our State Directors<br />

Robin Carton, Deborah<br />

Farber -Kaiser, Susan Mills<br />

Richmond, Annette Hasapidis,<br />

Ann McNulty, Shari Gordon,<br />

Marian Genio and Kristen<br />

Motel for their dedication to our<br />

association and most especially,<br />

attending Saturday<br />

WBASNY meetings keeping us<br />

well informed of state issues and<br />

continued on page 11 ➥<br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News<br />

Page 5


<strong>WWBA</strong> <strong>2020</strong> ANNUAL INSTALLATION DINNER<br />

from page 1<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> Officers and Directors with Judge McMahon and Judge Miller<br />

Judge Smith’s oath<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> Officers and Directors with WBASNY President Joy Thompson<br />

The Honorable Cathy Seibel<br />

Julian Allison, member of Rye Neck High<br />

School Mock Trial Team<br />

The Honorable Paul E. Davison, watching the<br />

installation on his porch<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> Director Annette Hasapidis and her<br />

son, Alexander Hasapidis-Sferra<br />

Page 6<br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News


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An Interview with Virginia K. Trunkes<br />

Susan L. Pollet<br />

Chair of the Archive and<br />

Historian Committee<br />

Q: When did you join the<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong>, and why did you join<br />

it?<br />

A: I joined the <strong>WWBA</strong> first in<br />

2011, and then became involved<br />

again in 2017. Having<br />

resided in Westchester<br />

since 2008, I joined initially<br />

to be among like-minded/<br />

situated members with whom<br />

I identify: cosmopolitan and<br />

savvy, with just the right level<br />

of grit, yet slightly disconnected<br />

from the intensity and<br />

frenzy associated with a 24/7<br />

NYC legal and residential<br />

lifestyle. Regrettably, in 2013,<br />

I felt it necessary to take a step<br />

back when it became problematic<br />

to depart early from<br />

my Manhattan office to make<br />

the 5:30 p.m. board meetings.<br />

In 2017, I rejoined after finally<br />

getting the opportunity to work<br />

in Westchester! I was excited<br />

to pick up where I left off and<br />

participate in CLE-planning<br />

and other events. While I have<br />

recently started working in<br />

Manhattan again, I maintain<br />

my involvement in the<br />

Westchester legal community.<br />

This time around, for my own<br />

personal and professional<br />

development, I plan to keep<br />

and strengthen my connection<br />

with the <strong>WWBA</strong>.<br />

Q: Please tell our members<br />

about your legal career.<br />

A: I have spent most of my<br />

career handling litigation, first<br />

from behind the scenes at the<br />

Appellate Division (First Department),<br />

and then in private<br />

practice. Much of the disputes<br />

I’ve litigated have involved<br />

business-related matters,<br />

which over the past several<br />

years have narrowed to those<br />

“There’s often no ‘balance,’ but<br />

rather figurative avalanches<br />

coming from different directions<br />

that you are regularly containing,<br />

dodging, or otherwise managing.”<br />

involving real property and construction.<br />

Currently, I spend<br />

more time negotiating neighboring<br />

access, construction<br />

and design services agreements<br />

versus merely arguing on a<br />

daily basis (much better for the<br />

psyche!). I advocate on behalf<br />

of developers; apartment building,<br />

brownstone and condominium<br />

unit owners; cooperative<br />

boards of directors; construction<br />

managers, contractors<br />

and subcontractors; and design<br />

services professionals in negotiating<br />

their business contracts<br />

and adjacent-owner license<br />

access agreements. The legal<br />

issues I handle range from construction<br />

and design defects,<br />

delay and lost productivity<br />

claims, and claims arising from<br />

force majeure events, to contractual<br />

breaches, fiduciary<br />

obligations, and property ownership<br />

rights. I’m glad to finally<br />

be specializing in an area to<br />

which I was naturally drawn. I<br />

was always interested in architectural<br />

and interior design, and<br />

during my legal practice I became<br />

fascinated with the complexity<br />

of the components of a<br />

construction project. Each<br />

project is different and will<br />

present different challenges.<br />

The possibilities for error and<br />

default are boundless. The skill<br />

of a construction lawyer is to<br />

predict and protect against the<br />

problems that are more likely<br />

to occur in that particular con-<br />

text. I am thrilled to represent<br />

clients whose projects are economically<br />

and culturally relevant,<br />

whether facilitating the<br />

“East Side” public transportation<br />

access, creating appealing<br />

office environments to attract<br />

and retain thriving businesses,<br />

or providing quality<br />

housing and hotels in a market<br />

where, notwithstanding periodic<br />

economic disruptions,<br />

they tend to be in short supply.<br />

Q: Which <strong>WWBA</strong> activities<br />

have you been involved in?<br />

A: Through the graciousness of<br />

Lisa Bluestein, I’ve had the opportunity<br />

to serve as a co-chair<br />

of the Corporate and Commercial<br />

Committee and have participated<br />

in planning (& sometimes<br />

speaking at) CLE programs.<br />

Back when people still<br />

congregated together (pre-<br />

COVID), I’ve enjoyed the<br />

beautiful and upbeat December<br />

and June soirees; Adrienne<br />

Orbach’s well-coordinated<br />

Making Strides Against Breast<br />

Cancer 5K; Susan Edwards<br />

Colson’s First Fridays “Women<br />

in Transition” lunches; weekend<br />

family-meetup outings; and a<br />

variety of interesting and spirited<br />

general meetings. I have<br />

not yet had the pleasure of participating<br />

in the Book Club,<br />

which, ironically, when described<br />

by Lisa Denig, sounds<br />

pretty convivial for a bar association<br />

sub-group! I hope the<br />

Virginia K. Trunkes<br />

Book Club will continue for<br />

at least the next several years,<br />

so I’ll have something to look<br />

forward to when my daughter<br />

no longer wants to associate<br />

with me on weekends. (Insert<br />

smiley face here.)<br />

Q: What are your other community<br />

activities when you<br />

are not practicing law or contributing<br />

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

A: I am currently serving as<br />

Vice President of the Board of<br />

JALBCA, the Judges and Lawyers<br />

Breast Cancer Alert. It is<br />

similar to a bar association,<br />

but practically speaking, it is<br />

not. Instead of developing<br />

and presenting continuing<br />

legal education programs<br />

and holding mixers, JALBCA<br />

presents educational programs<br />

on topics de jour involving<br />

breast cancer, at a<br />

high intellectual level, and<br />

with a supportive understanding<br />

of the disease. It also<br />

holds an annual fundraising<br />

dinner and uses the money it<br />

raises to provide grants to organizations<br />

that offer legal<br />

services or legal education in<br />

connection with breast cancer,<br />

and fund mobile mammography<br />

vans that provide<br />

continued on page 9 ➥<br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News<br />

Page 7


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Westchester Women’s Bar Committee Activities<br />

Real Property<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> is pleased to announce that Allyson Lanahan has<br />

agreed to continue her service as committee Chairperson of the<br />

Real Property Committee. Joining her as Co-Chairs are Anne R.<br />

Aicher, partner of Hollis Laidlaw & Simon, and Robbin E. Sweeney,<br />

associate of Rosenthal & Markowitz, LLP.<br />

Anne’s practice involves the purchase and sale of commercial<br />

and high-end residential real estate, including leasing, construction<br />

contracts, and commercial financing. Her clients are<br />

builders, developers, private schools, condominium boards of directors,<br />

and commercial property owners from the Bronx to Dutchess<br />

County. Anne’s specialty lies in local laws that apply to the purchase<br />

and sale of new construction; she is able to anticipate the<br />

many latent factors involved in building residential homes. She<br />

also navigates American Institute of Architects (AIA) contracts, the<br />

agreements frequently used in design and construction projects.<br />

Robbin’s concentration includes the purchase and sale of residential<br />

real estate, estate and trust planning, and estate administration<br />

and settlement. She has over 35 years experience in real<br />

estate, commencing as a real estate agent and working for Merrill<br />

Lynch Mortgage Corporation before becoming an attorney in 1987.<br />

Her clients range from first-time home buyers who appreciate her<br />

ability to supply emotional support with her legal expertise, to seasoned<br />

and high-end buyers and sellers, to sellers who are at the<br />

down-sizing stage of life. Her legal experience, combined with her<br />

Masters in Mental Health Counseling and certification as a Professional<br />

Coach, have honed Robbin’s calm, focused, solutionoriented<br />

and organized approach. Robbin works hard to create<br />

an attorney-client relationship which also gives her clients practical<br />

guidance, support and confidence needed during one of life’s<br />

typically most-stressful transitions.<br />

Allyson, Anne and Robbin are looking forward to the coming<br />

<strong>2020</strong>-2021 year, commencing with the first Real Property Committee<br />

Meeting scheduled on September15, <strong>2020</strong> at 1:00pm. Although<br />

the pandemic has created challenges for many of us, both<br />

personally and professionally, they hope that the continuation of<br />

the Zoom meeting format, whether for all meetings or in part, will<br />

increase the ability of their colleagues to participate in future meet-<br />

continued on page 9 ➥<br />

Executive Committee<br />

On Friday July 1st the Westchester Women’s Bar Association<br />

(<strong>WWBA</strong>) participated in a Women’s Bar Assocation<br />

of the State of New York (WBASNY) Executive Committee<br />

Meeting to support the National Women’s Law Center and<br />

join as Amicus Curae in two matters, Peltier, et al v. Charter<br />

Day School, et al and Pambakian v. Blatt, et al.<br />

The Peltier case involved a charter school in North Carolina<br />

that prohibited female students from wearing other than<br />

jumpers, skirts or skorts to school. The National Women’s<br />

Law Center argued that the clothing restrictions violated the<br />

female students; rights under Title IX of the Civil Rights Act<br />

Amendments.<br />

The Pambakian case addressed the problem of mandatory<br />

arbitration for sexual harassment claims. The National<br />

Women’s Law Center put forth several arguments,<br />

including that the increase of mandatory arbitration has<br />

resulted in the reduction of enforcing workers’ rights and<br />

that forcing arbitration silences survivors and protects predators<br />

because of the fact that arbitration proceeds are confidential.<br />

The Westchester Women’s Bar Association voted to join<br />

as Amicus in both matters as did WBASNY. ◗<br />

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

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

Member<br />

FDIC<br />

Page 8<br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News


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An Interview with Virginia K. Trunkes<br />

from page 7<br />

screening for uninsured and<br />

underinsured women in<br />

marginalized communities.<br />

JALBCA was created almost<br />

thirty years ago by judges and<br />

lawyers who were afflicted or<br />

had a direct connection with<br />

breast cancer. Unfortunately,<br />

breast cancer still exists, with<br />

serious, and sometimes<br />

tragic, consequences. When<br />

diagnosed, women attorneys<br />

and judges face issues unique<br />

to them, for which JALBCA<br />

can provide informal, almostspiritual<br />

support.<br />

Q: How have you balanced<br />

your legal career with your<br />

family responsibilities?<br />

A: At the risk of sounding cliché,<br />

you have to have the right supportive<br />

mix. The concept of balance<br />

in life means something<br />

different to everyone. I am fortunate<br />

to have found my balance<br />

by working in environments<br />

that have permitted me<br />

to multi-task in between work<br />

assignments. There’s often no<br />

“balance,” but rather figurative<br />

avalanches coming from different<br />

directions that you are regularly<br />

containing, dodging, or<br />

otherwise managing. But I would<br />

not have it any other way.<br />

Civil Rights Law 50-a<br />

WBASNY Discussion<br />

Natanya Briendel, Esq.<br />

On Thursday June 11, <strong>2020</strong> the Women’s Bar Association<br />

of the State of New York (WBASNY) voted to repeal<br />

Section 50-a of the New York State Civil Rights Law (CRL<br />

50-a) to allow for the public disclosure of the disciplinary<br />

records of public safety employees, including law enforcement<br />

personnel.<br />

Civil Rights Law 50-a, which was passed in the 1970s,<br />

states that “personnel records” of police officers, firefighters<br />

and corrections officers are “confidential and not subject to<br />

inspection or review” without the officer’s permission or by<br />

judicial order.<br />

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

and its members appreciate that those in law enforcement<br />

work tirelessly to serve and protect our citizens and that the<br />

majority of those working as public safety employees seek<br />

to promote the welfare and safety of our communities.<br />

WBASNY and its members also work tirelessly to promote<br />

the fair and equal administration of justice. These goals<br />

are not mutually exclusive.<br />

However, since its adoption CRL 50-a has been used<br />

to shield public safety employees from the type of scrutiny<br />

that keeps such employees accountable to the communities<br />

they serve. As an organization whose mission includes the<br />

promotion of the fair and equal administration of justice,<br />

WBASNY supports the repeal of CRL 50-a to ensure that<br />

all citizens are treated with dignity. ◗<br />

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Q: What advice would you like<br />

to give to women lawyers entering<br />

the legal profession.<br />

A: Joining a women’s bar association<br />

such as the <strong>WWBA</strong> is<br />

indispensable, for female<br />

litigators in particular. We understand<br />

each other, and do not<br />

fault each other for being direct<br />

or “verbally analytical,” my euphemism<br />

for what the rest of<br />

society considers “argumentative.”<br />

Beyond obtaining<br />

mentoring from a women’s bar<br />

association, I would recommend<br />

opening up to the idea that<br />

there is no pre-set career path,<br />

and realizing that it is up to you<br />

to create it. That means getting<br />

“out there” and exploring what<br />

opportunities exist. You can always<br />

pivot and go in a different<br />

direction. But without the exposure<br />

to different legal subject<br />

matters, methods of professional<br />

and business development,<br />

and lawyers’ personal anecdotes,<br />

you will be at a disadvantage<br />

in finding the right<br />

“fit.” The better the fit, the more<br />

you will enjoy an honorable<br />

and crucial profession in which<br />

you will have invested so much<br />

of yourself. And mastering<br />

your subject matter is the<br />

golden key to personal and<br />

professional success. It makes<br />

a difference when you can offer<br />

important information without<br />

saying, “Interesting question<br />

– I will get back to you.” It<br />

can be frustrating for new lawyers,<br />

and the key is to work in<br />

an area that you like so you<br />

will enjoy talking about it in everyday<br />

encounters. ◗<br />

Virtual Lunchtime Program<br />

from page 5<br />

other matters, such as child support.<br />

The discussion was riveting and insightful. A brief Q&A<br />

concluded the session, and Susan Carroll of PWJ discussed the<br />

many programs and resources available to meet the needs of<br />

our community. Resources were provided to all attendees after<br />

the program. If anyone would like a copy of the resources,<br />

please contact jennifernetrosio@gmail.com.<br />

The <strong>WWBA</strong> thanks the Pace Women’s Justice Center and<br />

Sterling National Bank Charitable Foundation for sponsoring<br />

this program, and for the 49 members and guests in attendance.<br />

◗<br />

Real Property Committee<br />

from previous page<br />

ings with ease and obtain the benefits intended by membership.<br />

They are pleased to announce that the first meeting will be<br />

presented by <strong>WWBA</strong> member, Jean Partridge, Chief Counsel and<br />

Managing Member of Benchmark Title. Jean will be focusing on<br />

many of the overlooked or misunderstood title issues that, whether<br />

representing a buyer or seller or conducting a residential or commercial<br />

transaction, attorneys should be prepared for. J<br />

The anticipated format for future monthly meetings will be<br />

speaker or topic driven followed by discussion. We also plan to<br />

utilize a portion of the meeting as an opportunity for colleagues to<br />

share challenges, find possible solutions and discuss current trends.<br />

We look forward to a year of learning and networking for the<br />

Real Property Committee. On September 15th, please join us to<br />

welcome Anne and Robbin and thank Allyson for her continued<br />

service. ◗<br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News<br />

Page 9


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Chapter News and Announcements<br />

Announcements & Notes on Members<br />

❑ The Cuddy Law Firm is pleased to announce that Westchester Women’s Bar<br />

Association member and Co-Chair of the Education Committee, Alison Mor-<br />

ris, has been appointed as Co-Chair of the Disability Rights Committee of the<br />

New York State Bar Association. Alison focuses her practice on special education<br />

advocacy, litigation, assisting families in navigating the Office with Persons<br />

with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) system, and representing families at<br />

OPWDD and other administrative hearings. Ms. Morris is a frequent lecturer<br />

on topics of interest to both professionals and families on special education<br />

law. ◗<br />

Virtual Coffeehouse with <strong>WWBA</strong> Member<br />

and Author, Susan Pollet<br />

Past <strong>WWBA</strong> President, Susan L.<br />

Pollet’s second novel, entitled “Through<br />

Walter’s Lens,” has been published and<br />

is available on Amazon. https://<br />

www.amazon.com/dp/1952570492<br />

It is an immigrant’s story of a pre<br />

and post World War II street photographer<br />

who had relationships of the mind,<br />

spirit, and sometimes body with some<br />

of the most famous photographers of<br />

his day. Reading this book is a welcome<br />

escape from the turbulent times<br />

we are living in. ◗<br />

Become a New<br />

Member Today<br />

RENEW YOUR<br />

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

FOR THE PERIOD<br />

JUNE 1, <strong>2020</strong> TO MAY 31, 2021.<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, 2021 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 10<br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News


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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 5<br />

exercising our chapter voting<br />

rights.<br />

I know that we all are<br />

eagerly awaiting the day we<br />

can once again meet in a<br />

conference room, sit side by<br />

side and engage in lively<br />

discussion, and we will do<br />

so, when it is safe and in<br />

compliance with state guidelines.<br />

But for now, the new<br />

normal (if there is such a<br />

thing) will continue to include<br />

“the virtual” in business, education,<br />

family and social life.<br />

I can think of no better<br />

leader to take us forward<br />

during these times than the<br />

Honorable Lisa Margaret<br />

Smith. You can all be well<br />

assured that Judge Smith<br />

and her dedicated Officers<br />

recognize the reality of this<br />

new world and are committed<br />

to more virtual meetings,<br />

programs and events to further<br />

our mission.<br />

Keeping us all<br />

grounded and on the right<br />

path is our fearless executive<br />

director Elisabeth Campos.<br />

Her dedication, energy,<br />

good judgment and<br />

willingness to take on more<br />

tasks is absolutely incredible,<br />

and I thank you Elisabeth<br />

with an “s” for being there<br />

for me and our Association.<br />

I could not have done it without<br />

you!<br />

And beyond the Association,<br />

is indeed the practice of<br />

law. Lest we forget that we all<br />

have our practices that we run<br />

along with our roles in the<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong>. Special thank you to<br />

my office: law partner Lucille,<br />

Nancy and Florence, for their<br />

help and support during my<br />

Presidency.<br />

Thank you to the two<br />

women in my life, my mom and<br />

sister Andrea who are both<br />

strong women role models and<br />

offered much encouragement<br />

and guidance during my Presidency.<br />

Thank you to my husband<br />

Robert, and my son<br />

Michael and his girlfriend<br />

Jacqui and my son Thomas for<br />

making each day a better day<br />

for me and for the many times<br />

they came to the rescue with<br />

technology support as we went<br />

virtual. You all made this job<br />

a lot easier for me!<br />

Our association from its<br />

very inception has been dedicated<br />

to the mission of “promoting<br />

justice for all.” Beyond<br />

COVID19, our society is at a<br />

momentous point in our history<br />

addressing racial inequality.<br />

The real challenge is<br />

WHAT can we do as a Chapter<br />

within our local communities<br />

and state organization to<br />

address the systemic racism<br />

that continues to exist. We<br />

must be willing to listen to those<br />

who can share experiences<br />

from which we can learn and<br />

then take an active role in<br />

bringing about change. Our<br />

association has successfully<br />

addressed legal inequalities in<br />

the past and we must be a part<br />

of today’s dialog to bring<br />

about change. Our Governor<br />

has recently signed legislation<br />

bringing about reforms<br />

and new policies. Indeed, a<br />

first step. I call upon our Board<br />

and committees in the coming<br />

term to join together and<br />

collaborate as to who we can<br />

best learn from, how we can<br />

share this knowledge with our<br />

members and community and<br />

what we can do as a Chapter<br />

to act both at the local and<br />

state levels in promoting<br />

WBASNY’s voice in advocating<br />

for justice and equality for<br />

all.<br />

Many of us have experienced<br />

great losses during<br />

COVID19. The loss of loved<br />

ones, friends, and colleagues<br />

were too many. I share with<br />

you the words of my friend and<br />

former law partner, the late<br />

Henry Miller, who passed as a<br />

result of Covid19. I often would<br />

consult with Henry before a<br />

trial or speech and I know he<br />

would be happy to have me<br />

share his very meaningful<br />

words:<br />

“Have the wisdom to<br />

know that life is short and<br />

that the time to do good<br />

is now, the time to surrender<br />

self-righteous anger<br />

which always justifies<br />

itself is now, the time forgive<br />

those who trespass<br />

against you is now, the<br />

time to help those in<br />

need is now, the time to<br />

set the example for those<br />

that come after you is<br />

now, and by doing this<br />

you will contribute to the<br />

tradition which never<br />

tires of the arduous<br />

search for a better<br />

world.”<br />

I congratulate those who<br />

will lead our organization forward<br />

to bright new days! I look<br />

forward to working by your side<br />

and in support of our continued<br />

goals and Judge Smith’s<br />

new mission of “giving back.”<br />

I sincerely thank you for<br />

your kind support, generosity<br />

and friendship. It has been a true<br />

honor and privilege to have<br />

served as your President. ◗<br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News<br />

Page 11


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

COMMITTEE DATE/TIME<br />

p<br />

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

y g<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong>-Virtual Book Club 8/4/20<br />

6:00 pm<br />

ZOOM<br />

Book: “The Vanishing<br />

Half” by Britt Bennett<br />

RSVP online at<br />

www.wcbany.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 />

Unless otherwise indicated, events are for <strong>WWBA</strong> members and invited guests only.<br />

The opinions expressed by any program presenter are the presenter’s own, and do not reflect<br />

the official position of the <strong>WWBA</strong>.<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 />

<strong>2020</strong>-2021 BEGINS ON JUNE 1, <strong>2020</strong>.<br />

PLEASE RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP TOD<br />

ODAY AT<br />

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

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

.ORG

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