WWBA September 2021 Newsletter

Westchester Women’s Bar Association 

SEPTEMBER 2021 

WWBA 

WWBA Celebrates its Second 

Virtual Installation of Officers 

Hon. Lisa Margaret Smith 

O 

n Wednesday, June 9, 2021, WWBA installed its officers for the 2021-22 year, 

and for the second year in a row the pervasiveness of COVID-19 forced the 

proceedings to be remote. Despite not being together in person, the participants 

used the opportunity to celebrate both WWBA and each other. Incoming President- 

Elect Elizabeth Marcus chaired the evening with true panache! 

Immediate Past President Lisa Margaret Smith commended WWBA’s members for participating 

in her goal for WWBA to Give Back to the community during this past year. She 

also instituted the first ever WWBA President’s Award, to be given to a WWBA member 

who, in the opinion of the outgoing President, has devoted extraordinary service and 

devotion to the work of WWBA. The award-a crystal bowl-was delivered in person to 

Janeen Thomas a few days after the installation. 

The keynote speaker was the Honorable Alexandra D. Murphy, recently elected Justice 

of the New York Supreme Court in the 9th Judicial District. Justice Murphy is a longtime 

member of the WWBA. She spoke compellingly of the pressures exerted by the 

pandemic on everyone, including members of the bar, both experienced attorneys and in 

particular brand new attorneys. She encouraged all of those in the WWBA to serve as 

mentors for new attorneys, and to push forward with gender equality in the legal profession. 

She encouraged WWBA to “double down” on its goals as an organization and as 

individuals, particularly to advance the status of women in the legal profession. 

The incoming officers and directors who were sworn in by Justice Murphy during the 

event included not just Amanda Fried as President and Elizabeth Marcus as President- 

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 


Grants for Greater Good 

(page 4) 

An Interview with 


(page 5) 

Wellness Committee 

Breathes Deeply and 

Ventures Out 

(page 6 ) 

Upcoming Events 

(page 10) 

SAVE THE DATE 

CLE – MORATORIUM 

MADNESS! POST 

PANDEMIC 

FORECLOSURES 

September 9, 2021 

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News 

news 

www.wwbany.org 

continued on page 3 ➥ 

ONE TOO MANY 

5K TO END CHILD ABUSE 


WWBA GENERAL 

MEMBERSHIP MEETING 


WWBA BOOK CLUB 

MEETS AGAIN 


PRESIDENT’S 

MESSAGE 

I am not known 

for being spontaneous 

(even the word 

makes me shiver), so 

in preparing for my 

first President’s message, 

I re-read past 

September messages 

for inspiration. 

Amanda C. Fried 

Lisa Denig, who 

is goal-oriented and 

driven, shared with us her three goals 

for her Presidency: social media, community 

service, and social events. Susan 

Colson, who thinks globally and acts 

locally, focused on the initiatives of 

WBASNY and the benefits of a WWBA 

membership. Angela Morcone Giannini, 

who is the living embodiment of catching 

bees with honey, spoke about collaboration 

and gratitude. Robin Carton 

(a/k/a Mom), who always strives to shine 

the spotlight on others, wrote about the 

incredible accomplishments of the various 

WWBA Committees. 

I’ll admit, this research project led 

to a bit of an existential crisis. Who am 

I and what do I stand for? Yes, I then 

went down the rabbit hole of Hamilton 

lyrics and starting singing “If you stand 

for nothing, Burr, what’ll you fall for?” 

But I digress. 

My mother is known for having 

trouble saying the word “No,” and although 

“no” was apparently my first 

word, my favorite word is “why.” If we 

have learned anything from this past 

year, it has been that past practices are 

not always best practices, and that success 

requires adaptation and flexibility. 

Encouraging each of us to ask “why”– 


Page 1 

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

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WWBA Member Newsletter 


Published Monthly by the 

Westchester Women’s 

Bar Association, a Chapter of 

the Women’s Bar Association 

of the State of New York 

~ 2021/2022 Officers and Directors ~ 

President AMANDA C. FRIED 

President-Elect ELIZABETH Z. MARCUS 

Vice Presidents 

NATANYA L. BRIENDEL JENNIFER L. GRAY JULIE P. PASSMAN 

Treasurer 

DEBORAH FARBER-KAISER Recording Secretary AMANDA K. RIEBEN 

Corresponding Secretary JILL OZIEMBLEWSKI 

Immediate Past ast President 

HON. LISA MARGARET SMITH 

Elected Directors Westchester Board 

KIM BERG ROBIN D. CARTON LISA M. DENIG 

ANNETTE HASAPIDIS ALISON SLOTO 

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

LUCIA CHIOCCHIO JACQUELINE HATTAR ANN M. McNULTY 

ANGELA MORCONE GIANNINI ADRIENNE ORBACH 

SUSAN MILLS RICHMOND JANEEN THOMAS 

Executive Director ELISABETH CAMPOS 

© Copyright 2021 Westchester Women’s Bar Association. All rights reserved. 

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

Editor-in-Chief: Jill Oziemblewski • Designed and Printed by IPM Media Group, Inc. (516) 809-0501 

2021-2022 WWBA Committee Chairs 

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

By-Laws ............................................................................... Kim Berg 

Corporate & Commercial ................ Lisa M. Bluestein, Virginia Trunkes 

Criminal Law ................. Elizabeth Gazay, Amy Puerto, Christine Paska 

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

Amanda Rieben 

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

Judicial Screening ........... Hon. Sandra A. Forster, Kimberly C. Sheehan 

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

Lawyering & Parenting .......................... Joelle M. Burton, Jennifer Gray 

Legislation .................. Natanya L. Briendel, Angela Morcone Giannini 

Matrimonial ...... Robin D. Carton, Andrea Friedman, Jennifer Jackman 

Annual Dinner ............................................. Robin D. Carton, Amanda Fried 

Jennifer L. Gray, Jennifer Johnson 

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

Appellate Practice .......... Lisa M. Denig, Hon. Sondra M. Miller, Heather Gushue 

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

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

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

Breast Cancer Awareness ........... Adrienne J. Orbach, Hon. Sandra A. Forster 

Collaborative Law ........ Kathleen Donelli, Hon. Sondra M. Miller, Lynn J. Maier 

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

Construction Law ................................................................... Aisling Brady 

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

Cyber Law ....................................................................................... TBD 

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

Janeen Thomas 

Domestic Violence ....................... Marian Genio, Beth Levy, Stacey Neumann 

Education .................. Allison Morris, Julie P. Passman, , Susan Mills Richmond 

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

Moira Laidlaw 

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

Environmental & Land Use ........................ Lucia Chiocchio, Jennifer L. Gray, 

Katherine Zalantis 

Gender Dynamics ............................................................................ TBD 

Holiday Party and Boutique ............. Jennifer Netrosio-Johnson, Jessica Piperis 

Immigration .................. Karin Anderson, Elizabeth Mastropolo, Mayha Ghouri 

Insurance ........................................... Michelle Kolodny, Julie A. Mickiewicz 

Intellectual Property ............................ Elizabeth M. Barnhard, Theresa Nugent 

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

Litigation .................. Angela Giannini, Jacqueline Hattar, Rebecca McCloskey 

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

Membership ............................................ Sherry Bishko, Marian Genio 

Networking ........................................ Jennifer Netrosio, Jessica Piperis 

New Lawyers ............................................ Katie Wendle, Aisha Scholes 

Professional Development .. Susan Edwards Colson, Stephanie Melowsky 

Programs .......................................... Natanya L. Briendel, Amy Puerto 

Public Relations ............................................................ Lisa M. Denig 

Real Property ....... Anne R. Aicher, Allyson Lanahan, Robbin E. Sweeney 

Sponsorship .............................. Susan Colson, Deborah Farber-Kaiser, 

Meredith Kenyon 

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

Trusts & Estates ........... Nancy J. Rudolph, Karen J. Walsh, Lonya Gilbert 

Long Range Planning ..................................... Lisa M. Denig, Linda Markowitz 

Mediation ..................... Hon. Sondra M. Miller, Abby Rosmarin, Lisa M. Denig 

Mentor ......................................... Kim Berg, Sherry Bishko, Christine Paska 

Past Presidents ...... Angela Giannini, Deborah Scalise, Hon. Lisa Margaret Smith 

Practice Management ............................................... Wendy Marie Weathers 

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

Social Media ................................................................................... TBD 

Technology/Website ................................. Donna E. Frosco, Theresa Nugent 

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

Women in Leadership ........................................................................ TBD 

WWBA 

Representatives 

Network of Bar Leaders ............................ Angela Morcone Giannini, Robin Carton 

Pace Board of Visitors .............................................................................. Lisa Denig 

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

WWBA Representative Director to the WCBA Board .............................. Jennifer Gray 

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

WBASNY Nominations Committee .............. Lisa M. Bluestein, Gail M. Boggio (Alt.) 

WBASNY Awards Committee ............................................................ Deborah Scalise 

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

WBASNY Fundraising Committee .................................................. Andrea Friedman 

WBASNY ERA/Women’s Civil Rights Committee ..... Kim Berg, Susan Mills Richmond 

WBASNY Labor and Employment Law ....................................................... Kim Berg 

WBASNY Legislation Committee .................................................... Natanya Briendel 

WBASNY LGBTQ+ Committee ...................................................... Adrienne Orbach 

WBASNY Domestic Violence Committee .............................. Susan Pollet, Alayne Katz 

WBASNY Press and Public Relations ................................ Angela Morcone Giannini 

WBASNY Children’s Rights ................................................................................ TBD 

WBASNY Long-Range Planning ..................................................... Linda Markowitz 

WBASNY Professional Ethics, Discipline and Practice Committee ........................ TBD 

WBASNY Diversity Committee ........................................................... Janeen Thomas 

9th Judicial District Representative ..................... Lisa Margaret Smith, Amanda Fried 

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Westchester Women’s Bar Association News

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WWBA Virtual 

Installation of Officers 

from page 1 

Elect, but also Vice Presidents Natanya L. 

Briendel, Jennifer L. Gray, and Julie P. 

Passman, Treasurer Deborah Farber-Kaiser, 

Corresponding Secretary Jill 

Oziemblewski, and Recording Secretary 

Amanda Rieben. Incoming State Directors 

sworn in included Lucia Chiocchio, 

Jacqueline Hattar, Ann McNulty, Susan 

Mills Richmond, Angela Morcone Giannini, 

Adrienne Orbach, and Janeen Thomas. Incoming 

Local Directors included Kim Berg, 

Robin D. Carton, Lisa M. Denig, Annette 

Hasapidis, and Alison Sloto. 

Incoming President Amanda Fried used 

the opportunity to make remarks about her 

own vision for WWBA’s future, basing her 

desire for new ways to engage in WWBA, 

stemming from all the ways WWBA has gone 

forward during this past year – events and 

CLEs via Zoom, social gatherings, including 

the “Annual Dinner” via alternative 

webcasting sites, and other creative ways of 

being together. She focused on the need 

for WWBA to increase its membership, highlighting 

how WWBA provides a place for 

all to belong. She concluded her remarks 

with the commitment to seeing WWBA move 

forward with hope, compassion, new ideas, 

and, now and then, a little bit of fun. 

The WWBA Foundation used the event 

to present the Justice Sondra Miller Scholarship 

to Gabriela Taverez, and a new scholarship, 

the WWBA Foundation’s Board 

Scholarship, to Megan Farrell. 

Dawn Reid-Green, the new President 

of WBASNY, capped off the event with remarks, 

greeting and congratulating everyone 

on behalf of the officers of WBASNY. 

She expressed confidence in the leadership 

of Amanda Fried, as WWBA moves forward 

into a post-COVID existence. She identified 

the WBASNY theme for the upcoming 

year as “Empowered Women Empowering 

Women,” focusing on thematic programming 

to support mentoring, career support, 

and wellness. President Reid-Green encouraged 

WWBA to include those themes in its 

presentations in the upcoming year. 

To engage the audience further, a trivia 

challenge took place over the course of the 

evening. Anyone who missed the evening’s 

events, as well as the trivia contest, can see 

it here: Westchester Women’s Bar Association 

(totalwebcasting.com). ◗ 

Editor’s Note 


“Every life has its kernel, its hub, its epicentre, from which everything flows 

out, to which everything returns.” ~ Maggie O’Farrell (from “Hamnet”) 

Making Dates and Getting Published 

NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS 

❑ Deadline for newsletter submissions is the 10th of the month prior to publication (submissions 

received after the deadline are subject to the discretion of the editor). 

❑ Send submissions as email attachments to Jill Oziemblewski at jill_oziemblewski@yahoo.com. 

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

formatting, other than bold, underline or italics. Authors are encouraged to submit photographs 

for publication with their submissions and include a short biographical statement with 

their submissions. 

❑ Materials submitted allow the WWBA a limited copyright and full permission to reprint the 

material in any WWBA publication or on its website without additional consent. 

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

each photograph must be fully identified. 

PROGRAM SCHEDULING 

❑ First visit the WWBA website: www.wwbany.org and click on the calendar at the home page to 

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

priority for early submissions. 

❑ Contact Jill Oziemblewski at jill_oziemblewski@yahoo.com to schedule a WWBA sponsored 

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

❑ Once you have reserved the date with Jill Oziemblewski, proceed with planning your program 

and creating your flyer. 

❑ Flyers must be approved by the Programs Committee. In advance of the 10th of the month, 

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

Director. Once approved, please send your final flyer to the Executive Director, Elisabeth Campos 

and the President for publication on the website calendar and the newsletter calendar. The 

final flyer will also be emailed to the membership. 

❑ We will also consider publicizing programs from outside organizations that may be of interest 

to our members. 

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

speakers and participants that can be included in an upcoming newsletter. Send your submission 

to Jennifer Robinson, following the guidelines above. 

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

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5-10 Issues - $525.00 per issue 


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Contacts 

Jill Oziemblewski, Corresponding Secretary and Newsletter Editor-in-Chief: jill_oziemblewski@yahoo.com 

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

Amy Puerto, Programs Committee Co-Chair: amy.puerto@yahoo.com 

Amanda C. Fried, President: president@wwbany.org 

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

Elisabeth Campos, Executive Director: executivedirector@wwbany.org 

Quarter Page Display Ad 



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

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Page 3

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The WWBA Foundation – 

Giving Grants for the Greater Good! 

Susan S. Brown 

WWBA Foundation President 

Our Foundation has always been 

a source of great WWBA pride! My 

grateful thanks to the dedicated 

WWBAF Board and the WWBA members 

whose generous support, over 

more than twenty years, make it possible 

for the Foundation to provide 

consistent support to the local non-profits 

that align with the WWBAF mission 

“…to eliminate gender bias and promote 

the fair and equal treatment of 

all people in society, the workplace, 

schools and court system.” 

In 2021, in addition to our scholarship 

awards, the WWBA Foundation 

made grants to the following fourteen 

non-profits: 

Caring for the Homeless & Hun- 

gry of Peekskill 

(“RISE” [Rehousing 

in Supportive Environments] partnership 

with My Sisters Place); 

FamilyKind (divorced and separated 

parent education); Furniture 

Sharehouse (furnishings for re-housing 

victims of domestic violence and 

disaster); Girls Rule the Law 

aw, , Inc. 

(“Strength Has No Gender” stay-inschool 

support for girls interested in 

legal education); Hope’s Door (partnership 

with Westchester County Domestic 

Violence High Risk Team); 

Hudson Link for Higher Educa- 

tion in Prison (Associate Degree credits 

for women incarcerated at Taconic 

Correctional Facility); Legal Services 

of the Hudson Valley 

(Housing Stability 

Project); Mental Health Asso- 

ciation of Westchester 

(CASA [Court 

Appointed Special Advocate] for children 

in Foster care); My Sisters’ 

Place in memory of former WWBA 

Executive Director Linda Surace 

(legal services for victims of Domestic 

Violence and Human Trafficking); Pace 

ace 

Women 

omen’s ’s Justice Center in 


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PATRONS 

BENEFACTORS 

Christopher L. Mangold, PLLC 

FRIENDS 

Court Street Abstract, Inc. 

Dalco Reporting, Inc. 

Margaret 

Neubart 

Foundation 

WESTCHESTER 

WOMEN’S BAR ASSOCIATION 

Promoting equality in the 

workplace, schools and courts 

www.wwbany.org/foundation 

Honorable 

Sondra M. 

Miller 

KRAMER KOZEK LLP 

ATTORNEYS AT LAW 

Walsh & Amicucci, LLP 

Welby, Brady & 

Greenblatt, LLC 

Vouté, Lohrfink, McAndrew, 

Meisner & Roberts, LLP 

The WWBA Foundation thanks its Mocktail sponsors 

for their generous contributions to our most 

successful fundraiser! 

A Leader in Serving the 

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That’s Sterling. 

Expect the highest caliber of personal service and 

banking expertise. 

Expect extraordinary. 

Contact banking professionals experienced in 

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or email team556@snb.com 

Larry McElroen, Senior Managing Director 

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Anthony Forgione, Managing Director 

Moira Kiernan, Managing Director 

Luis Rivera, Associate Managing Director 

To learn about Sterling’s full suite 

of services, visit snb.com. 

Member 

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Wealth Director 

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www.bnymellonwealth.com 

Page 4 


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An Interview with the Hon. Lisa Margaret Smith 

Susan L. Pollet 

Chair of the Archive and 

Historian Committee 

Q: You presided over the 

most difficult year in WWBA 

history. What was the 

WWBA able to accomplish 

during the “pandemic year” 

of your Presidency? 

A: When the year came to a 

close and I counted out how 

many programs we had presented, 

I was amazed to see 

that our programs totaled 50! 

That number did not include 

various public interest efforts, 

such as the voter registration 

drive, helping at the Food 

Pantry in Elmsford, collecting 

pet food for a shelter, and 

various wellness efforts such 

as a spin class, yoga, and 

other things. I am extremely 

proud of all the work that so 

many members put in to 

keep the organization running 

in its usual efficient 

manner. 

Q: What were the biggest 

challenges the organization 

faced during your tenure? 

A: Every organization started 

off the year 2020 a bit stymied 

by the limitations placed 

on all of us as a result of the 

pandemic, and WWBA was 

no exception. All of our members 

and presenters had to 

be coached on the use of 

technology, especially at the 

start of the year, but it was 

no surprise to me that they 

caught on quickly. Our extraordinary 

Executive Director, 

Elisabeth Campos, became 

adept at guiding committee 

chairs and panelists 

through the morass of computer 

presentations, and she 

is largely responsible for our 

success in that regard. The 

other major challenge is the 

“I was extremely proud to have 

served as a public servant in all 

of my legal jobs; representing the 

citizenry is a very high calling, and 

I was delighted to do so, to the 

best of my ability. My service as a 

Magistrate Judge for more than 

two decades leaves me with a 

sense of pride like no other.” 

challenge that faces all bar associations 

in this day and age, 

which is membership. Those of 

us who are members understand 

that we gain tremendous 

value from our WWBA membership, 

but it is often difficult 

to explain the value to new recruits. 

We did lose members 

this year, also due to the economic 

downturn. It is my hope 

that as the world opens up, and 

people are able to gather, that 

our membership numbers will 

rebound. 

Q: What were the highlights, 

from your perspective, of your 

Presidency? 

A: The highlights of my Presidency 

are all based on the extraordinary 

work of our leadership, 

from Officers, members of 

the Executive Committee, Directors, 

Committee Chairs, and 

other volunteers. These amazing 

people came forward with 

ideas for programs, some of 

which were directly related to 

the pandemic and its consequences, 

issues which had 

never been presented before. 

The creativity and energy of 

these amazing people served to 

lead us forward in a year like 

no other. I am extremely proud 

of the entire leadership team for 

this past year. 

Q: What were the obstacles 

that our members faced during 

this pandemic year, and 

how did the WWBA try to help? 

A: The effects of the economic 

downturn were a huge problem 

for many of our members. 

When asked, WWBA provided 

reduced rate membership to try 

to accommodate those who 

had suffered the most economically. 

Q: As a result of the pandemic, 

do you think that there will be 

any permanent changes to the 

way the WWBA does business 

going forward? 

A: I definitely believe that the 

use of technology to allow us 

both to present programs and 

to view those programs will be 

a benefit going forward. Not 

every program should be presented 

remotely, but many 

could and should be. The technological 

changes also mean 

that we can present programs 

from panelists in many different 

places, rather than limiting 

ourselves to local presenters. It 

also opens the possibility of 

viewing programs from other 

WBASNY Chapters around the 

State, giving everyone more 

choices. 

Q: Please tell our members 


about your career, and 

which accomplishments you 

are most proud of. 

A: I attended Duke University 

School of Law in the late 

70s, graduating in the spring 

of 1980. I will share with our 

student members that despite 

all my best efforts, I had exactly 

one job offer upon 

graduation, so I took it, starting 

as an Assistant District 

Attorney in Kings County in 

the fall of 1980. Although I 

had some bumps along the 

way, I ended up in the Appeals 

Bureau under the guidance 

of Deputy Bureau 

Chiefs Peter Weinstein and 

Roseann MacKechnie, and 

Bureau Chief Barbara 

Underwood. I credit those 

three with guiding me to hone 

my legal argument and legal 

writing skills; those skills 

have supported me in every 

job I have had since then. 

After five years I moved to 

Albany, where I took a position 

as an Assistant Attorney 

General in the New York State 

Department of Law (a/k/a Attorney 

General’s Office), in 

the Appeals and Opinions 

Division. I was very proud 

during my year in Albany to 



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Westchester Women’s Bar Committee Activities 

Wellness Committee Breathes Deeply and Ventures Out 

Susan Mills Richmond 

Jennifer Netrosio Johnson 

Co-Chairs, Wellness Committee 

On June 24 and July 15, 

2021, the Westchester 

Women’s Bar Association 

Wellness Committee held 

healthful and fun events, the 

first a Wellness Bike/Walk on 

the North County Trailway in 

Elmsford, and the second a 

Nature Walk and Meditation 

at the Rockefeller State Park 

Preserve in Pleasantville. 

In the lovely Rockefeller 

Preserve, Jennifer Netrosio 

Johnson led a small and enthusiastic 

group on a very 

warm evening, where we enjoyed 

not only the beauty of 

the natural and bucolic setting, 

but also some exercise and the 

wellness benefit of a guided 

meditation in a clearing by a 

giant glacial erratic. Surrounded 

by the relaxing 

sounds of nature, and the 

The Ninth Judicial District Committee 

to Promote Gender Fairness in the 

Courts recognized the winners of its Annual 

High School Essay Contest in a virtual 

ceremony held on June 15, 2021, in 

celebration of Women’s History Month. 

Supreme Court Justices Terry Jane 

Ruderman, Chair of the Committee, and 

Charles D. Wood, Co-Chair of the Essay 

Contest Sub-Committee, presented the 

awards. The generosity of various professional 

organizations and bar associations, 

including the WWBA, enabled the 

committee to award cash prizes to the students. 

The essay topics were: 

Has COVID-19 had a disparate impact 

in the workplace based on 

gender? Please discuss. 

quiet whir of highway not too 

far off (which we aimed not to 

recognize as the sound of 

highway), Jennifer led us 

through a series of sensory experiences, 

resulting in the 

opening of our awareness, 

and an invitation for peace. 

The Wellness Committee is 

looking forward to holding 

many more healthful and fun 

events with our members! 

Please stay tuned for an October 

announcement. ◗ 

Gender Fairness Committee Celebrates Women’s 

History Month 

Christopher Peticca 

Top Row Left to Right: Drew Siskin, Khalilah 

Muhammad; Bottom Row Left to Right: Adina 

Sasson, Alexander Gordon, Hon. Terry Jane 

Ruderman 

If so, what are the disparate impacts, 

and what, if anything, should 

be done about it? 

In the freshman/sophomore category, 

Khalilah Muhammad from Beacon High 

School won first prize, and Adina Sasson 

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from Pelham Memorial High School won 

second prize. In the junior/senior category, 

Drew Siskin from Byram Hills High 

School won first prize, and Alexander 

Gordon from Hastings High School won 

second prize. 

The students read their essays to the 

more than 50 guests who joined the virtual 

ceremony. Those in attendance included 

State Supreme Court Justices Matthew 

D’Emic, Marguerite Grays, Tracy C. 

MacKenzie, E. Jeannette Ogden, and 

Charles D. Wood. Representatives of various 

local bar associations also attended. 

The committee anticipates that this 

contest and the traditional in-person 

awards breakfast will be held once again 

next year, and is hoping for even greater 

participation in the district. ◗ 

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An Interview with the Hon. Lisa Margaret Smith 

from page 5 

co-author a brief filed in the 

Supreme Court on behalf of 

the National Association of 

Attorneys General. In 1986 I 

moved to Westchester, and 

re-joined the Brooklyn District 

Attorney’s Office, where 

I served as a Supervising Senior 

Assistant District Attorney 

in the Appeals Bureau. 

By happenstance a friend of 

a friend told me about an 

opening for an experienced 

prosecutor in the White Plains 

Office of the United States 

Attorney for the Southern District 

of New York. I was happy 

in the DA’s Office, but I interviewed 

for the job anyway, 

and was fortunate to be selected. 

I served in that Office, 

investigating and prosecuting 

many different federal 

crimes, for eight years. 

In 1994 I had the opportunity 

to apply for a newly 

opened Magistrate Judge 

position located in the White 

Plains Federal Courthouse. 

Even though I didn’t have 

many of the typical qualifications 

– I did not go to an 

Ivy League Law School, I was 

not on Law Journal, I did not 

clerk for a judge, and I didn’t 

ever work for a white shoe 

law firm – I somehow managed 

to be in the right place at the 

right time, and I got the job. I 

was sworn in March 20, 1995. 

I continued in that job for 

twenty-five years, six months, 

and ten days, retiring on September 

30, 2020. 

I was extremely proud to 

have served as a public servant 

in all of my legal jobs; representing 

the citizenry is a very 

high calling, and I was delighted 

to do so, to the best of 

my ability. My service as a 

Magistrate Judge for more than 

two decades leaves me with a 

sense of pride like no other. 

Q: Is there anything you 

would do differently in your 

career if you could go back 

and change it? 

A: I do not think I would 

change anything. As I now enter 

my second year of retirement, 

I look back at my entire career 

with pride, even those “bumps” 

taught me an important lesson. 

Q: What advice would you 

give to new lawyers entering 

the legal profession, including 

suggestions regarding balancing 

family and career? 

A: My general advice is never 

to stop trying, and never to 

memory of former WWBA President Karen Z. Bell (Moderate 

Means Program placing low to moderate means divorce 

and family law clients with private attorneys at reduced fees); 

Scales of Justice Academy, , Inc. (one-week summer legal 

education program for high school girls); Student Advo- 

cacy (“Youth Justice 2.0” program for youth with justice system 

involvement); Westchester Children’s Association (distance 

learning study re: impact of lack of computer access on 

school-age children); and YWCA, White Plains (“GEMS” 

[Girls Empowered by Meaningful Support] college prepara- 

swerve from doing your best. 

Even if you are working for a 

terrible supervisor, or working 

with terrible colleagues, your responsibility 

is to do your best, 

notwithstanding those other 

people. When you do your best 

you position yourself for a step 

forward, and good things can 

happen. 

The issue of balancing 

family and career is one that 

will challenge each of us in a 

different way. I was extremely fortunate 

that my husband was 

willing to stay home with our 

children until they were both full 

time in school. If I had not had 

that choice, I am sure my career 

going forward would have 

been different. Every parent, 

whether single or in a committed 

relationship, has to make a 

choice about how to try to contribute 

to the family/work life 

balance, but every circumstance 

is unique. The key for 

our society, going forward, it to 

make sure that alternatives 

such as flex time, work-fromhome, 

and affordable childcare 

are present and available to all. 

Q: Which community activities 

and outside interests have 

sustained you during your admirable 

legal career? 

Giving Grants for the Greater Good! 

from page 4 

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A: Most definitely the WWBA 

has been a mainstay of life 

during my career, I originally 

joined the Capital District 

Chapter when I was in Albany, 

and joined the 

Westchester Chapter when I 

moved to Westchester. I am 

also very involved in my local 

church, as a member of 

Session and a member of the 

choir. I served as a member 

of the Board of Editors of the 

Federal Courts Law Review, 

a publication of the Federal 

Magistrate Judges Association, 

and I still serve on the 

Board of Editors of the Federal 

Bar Council Quarterly, 

the newsletter of the Federal 

Bar Council. During the last 

few years I have also served 

as an advisor to the Rye Neck 

High School Mock Trial 

Team, which has been great 

fun! 

Q: What do you hope to 

be involved in going forward? 

A: Of course I will continue 

to be involved with WWBA, 

this year as Immediate Past 

President; I will also continue 

to be involved with my 

church, and with the Federal 

Bar Council. ◗ 

tion and the “Reading is Fundamental” literacy program at 

the Westchester County Court house children’s center). 

As we look ahead to another impactful year in which the 

WWBA Foundation makes a meaningful difference, I urge 

our WWBA members to do more to help us carry out our 

mission. Help us identify local non-profits that are deserving 

of our support; send their contact information to 

sbrown@glassmanbrown.com and I will provide a Grant 

Request form for consideration by the WWBAF board. The 

best part of my job is writing the checks! Thank you all for 

making it possible. ◗ 


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Chapter News and Announcements 

Announcements & Notes on Members 

❑ WWBA Member Earns Community Praise – In the July 31, 2021 issue of “The 

Record Review,” the local paper for Bedford, Pound Ridge, and Lewisboro, the author 

of Bedford’s Talk of the Town led his column with kudos for Katonah resident, and 

WWBA member, Rebecka Levitt 

evitt, along with her son Michael. Rebecka and Michael 

worked together to plant a small garden between the sidewalk and the road in front of 

their house. Rebecka got permission from the town to plant the area, which technically 

is part of the town’s curtilage. The plot attracted birds, bees, and even rabbits, as well 

as approving words from neighbors. WWBA commends Rebecka and Michael for 

contributing to the beauty of their community. ◗ 

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WBASNY Convention a Success! 


The WBASNY Convention was a success 

this year, despite having to be remote. On May 

21 and 22, 2021, WBASNY put on a terrific 

show which included a Learning Loft, where all 

the CLE presentations took place; Connection 

Central, where the visitors could find access to 

special events, including a Yoga and Meditation 

Session presented by WWBA member Jennifer 

Netrosio Johnson; an entrance to the Installation 

Ceremony for new officers; and a Help 

Center, always necessary! The efforts of 

WBASNY’s Convention Committee and the Executive 

Staff were rewarded by a terrific program. 

A photo of the Convention site is below. 

The CLE offerings included Diversity and Inclusion, 

Cybercrime, the Perils of Prenups, Post- 

Convention Rights Restoration, Standards in 

Sexual Harassment Law, Issues relating to Surrogacy, 

Reasonable Accommodations, and Changing Family Law Standards in a Post- 

COVID World. Both the Outgoing President’s Reception in honor of Joy Thompson, 

and the Incoming President’s Reception in honor of Dawn Reid-Green, were terrific 

fun, with great music and conversation, and even instructions on how to make a 

chocolate martini! As highlighted in the June newsletter, WWBA member Adrienne 

Orbach received the Hannah S. Cohn Pro Bono Award at the WBASNY awards ceremony-well 

deserved! A photo of the flowers sent by WWBA to Adrienne is included 

here. 

WWBA also celebrates the induction of our member Shari Gordon as a WBASNY 

Vice-President for the upcoming year. WWBA also sent flowers to celebrate Shari’s 

installation. Any members with questions about WBASNY events should feel free to 

reach out to Shari. Next year’s convention will be IN PERSON at the Kartrite Resort in 

Monticello, New York. ◗ 

Become a New 

Member Today 

RENEW YOUR 

WWBA MEMBERSHIP TODAY 

FOR THE PERIOD 

JUNE 1, 2021 TO MAY 31, 2022. 

RENEW NOW! DON’T WAIT! 

WWBA Membership includes 

membership to the Women’s Bar 

Association of the State of New York 

(WBASNY). 

January 31, 2021 is the closing date in 

order to count the WWBA members 

towards our certification to WBASNY and 

assure our number of delegates. 

Renewing before this date will allow our 

Westchester Chapter (WWBA) to continue 

to be a strong presence in our statewide 

organization (WBASNY) while you will 

enjoy its many benefits, events, 

newsletter and CLE programming. 

Hélène Côté, Sherry A. Bishko, 

Elisabeth Campos 

It is easy to renew by going to the 

WWBA Website at www.WWBANY.org. 

You can use a credit card or 

PayPal to make payment. 

Page 8 


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Westchester Women’s Bar Association New Members 

The Westchester Women’s Bar Association proudly welcomes our newest members: 

TO PROTECT THE PRIVACY OF OUR MEMBERS, 

THIS INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS OF THE WWBA ONLY. 

President’s Message 

from page 1 

to seek other perspectives and 

act with curiosity-is the goal that 

I would like to focus on this upcoming 

year. 

For the sake of clarity, I do 

not intend to, as they say (grotesquely, 

if you ask me), throw 

the baby out with the bath water. 

I like babies, and I feel 

strongly about honoring tradition. 

However, I would like to 

encourage members, regardless 

of how long they have been part 

of our WWBA family, to speak 

with me about ways that we can 


move our incredible organization 

forward in this ever-changing 

landscape. 

To that end, my President’s 

message this year may not always 

take this form. Be on the 

lookout for some other ways that 

we can honor our members and 

their brilliant contributions to our 

organization and the community 

at large. And for those of 

you who are still reading? 

“We’ll never be truly free until 

those in bondage have the same 

rights as you and me...and I’m 

not throwin’ away my shot.” ◗ 

Page 9

WWBA Schedule of Upcoming Events 

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

WWBA in collaboration 

with the WCBA, the Bronx 

County Bar, and the 

Brooklyn Women’s Bar 

Association 

9/09/21 

1:00 p.m. to 

2:00 p.m. 

Webinar via Zoom 

CLE (1.0 Professional 

Practice) – 

“Moratorium Madness!: 

Post Pandemic 

Foreclosures –Wendy 

Marie Weathers, Esq. 

(Clair Gjersten & 

Weathers, PLLC)will 

present with colleagues 

Mary Aufrecht, Esq. 

and Erin K. Flynn, Esq. 

– this CLE will review 

contractual and 

statutory preforeclosure 

and pending 

foreclosure compliance 

requirements. 

Wellness Committee 9/19/21 To Be Announced One Too Many 5K to 

End Child Abuse – 

walk to support NYS 

Children’s Alliance and 

Children’s Advocacy 

Center of Westchester 

WWBA Board of Directors 

& General Membership 

Meetings 

9/22/21 

5:30 p.m. to 

7:30 p.m. 

WWBA Book Club 9/30/21 

6:00 p.m. 

Zoom 

In Person (Outdoors) 

or Zoom 

See www.wwbany.org 

for details 

Book: “American 

Disruptor: The 

Scandalous Life of 

Leland Stanford” by 

Roland De Wolk 

Register Online at 

https://www.wcbany.org 

$10 for All Attendees 

(1) Register Online at 

https://nysca.coalitionmanager.org/ 

eventmanager/trainingevent/details 

/36 

(2) Email the WWBA at 

executivedirector@wwnany.org to 

walk as a group 

Email Lisa Denig for all relevant 

information at 

lisadenig@yahoo.com 

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

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

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

Unless otherwise indicated, events are for WWBA members and invited guests only. 

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

the official position of the WWBA. 

REMEMBER, YOU CAN FIND THE WBASNY WEB PAGE 

AT WWW.WBASNY.ORG. 

PLEASE REMEMBER TO RECYCLE 

Connect 

with 

us 

THE WWBA MEMBERSHIP PERIOD FOR 

2021-2022 BEGINS ON JUNE 1, 2021. 

PLEASE RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP TOD 

ODAY AT 

WWW.WWBANY 

.WWBANY.ORG 

.ORG

WWBA September 2021 Newsletter

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