WWBA November 2021 Newsletter - M

Westchester Women’s Bar Association 

NOVEMBER 2021 

MAKING STRIDES OF 

WESTCHESTER 2021 

Hon. Lisa Margaret Smith 

F 

or many years the team of Orbach and Friends, 

led by the indefatigable Adrienne Orbach, has 

walked in the annual walk to raise money for 

breast cancer research, sponsored by the American Cancer 

Society. The team is made up of WWBA members, along 

with friends and relatives of WWBA members. In 2020 

our team walked, but instead of gathering with thousands 

of people on the Manhattanville College campus and 

taking a five mile walk through the neighborhood, many 

of us walked either alone or in very small groups, in light 

of the social restrictions caused by the pandemic. We 

were therefore delighted when it was announced that this 

year’s Making Strides Of Westchester would take place, 

still at the Manhattanville Campus, but with a shortened 

walk (just 1.4 miles), within the campus itself rather than 

going around the neighborhood. Large gatherings of 

WWBA 

teams were discouraged (thus, no team picture this year), but the walk went forward on 

Sunday, October 17, 2021, a beautiful sunny day, although it was chilly and windy. 

Teams were scheduled to set off at times set by the organizers, with the first groups 

walking from 9-10, others, including Team Orbach, from 10-11, and final teams 

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 


Hon. Lisa Margaret Smith’s 

Portrait Unveiled 

(page 4) 

An Interview with 

Stacey Neumann 

(page 5) 

WWBA Holiday Party 

Announcement 

(page 7 ) 

Upcoming Events 

(page 10) 

SAVE THE DATE 


BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

AND GENERAL 

MEMBERSHIP MEETING 

November 3, 2021 

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News 

WWBA Walkers Lucia 

Chiocchio, Jen Netrosio 

Johnson, Lisa Bluestein, and 

Deb Scalise 

continued on page 6 ➥ 

WBASNY BOARD OF 

DIRECTORS MEETING 



BOOK CLUB 


WWBA REAL PROPERTY 

COMMITTEE MEETING 


news 

www.wwbany.org 

PRESIDENT’S 

MESSAGE 

Although I can’t 

fathom how it happened, 

sources tell 

me that November 

is upon us-a month 

of turkey, family 

gatherings, and 

warm sweaters. This 

month brings us 

Amanda C. Fried 

World Kindness Day 

on November 13th, World Peace Day 

on November 27th, and National 

Adoption Day on November 23rd, and 

it reminds us of the many things for 

which we are thankful. 

I can remember that, during my 

childhood, my mother always kept a 

gratitude journal, and my blessings this 

year are particularly bountiful. 

I am grateful for our Executive 

Committee: Kim Berg, who is a priceless 

source of knowledge; Angela 

Morcone Giannini, who believed in me 

before I believed in myself and has always 

been my champion; Judge Lisa 

Margaret Smith, who graciously tolerated 

my neuroses during my year as 

President-Elect; Elizabeth Marcus, who 

will make an incredible leader next year; 

Tanya Briendel, who somehow endured 

years as my co-chair for the Programs 

Committee and has fantastic ideas; Jen 

Gray, who is my absolute favorite Annual 

Dinner door co-greeter and 

handles everything with grace; Julie 

Passman, who is more qualified and 

skilled than she knows; Deborah 

Farber-Kaiser, who makes sure I know 

that I have a friend to fall back on; Jill 

Oziemblewski, who is an absolute treacontinued 

on page 3 ➥ 

Page 1 

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

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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, Rachel Geraghty 

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 

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 

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 

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

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

Technology/Website .................................... Theresa Nugent, Janeen Thomas 

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

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


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 Vice President .............................................................................. Shari R. Gordon 

WBASNY Judiciary/Courts Committee ......................... Gail M. Boggio (Rep), Lisa Bluestein (Alt) 

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

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

WBASNY Chapters-Membership Committee ..................................................... Sherry Bishko 

WBASNY Family/Matrimonial Law Committee .............................................. Jennifer Jackman 

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

WBASNY ERA/Women’s Civil Rights ........ Kim Berg (Co-Chair), Susan Mills Richmond (Member) 

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

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

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

WBASNY Domestic Violence Committee ............ Susan Pollet (Co-Chair), Alayne Katz (Member) 

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

WBASNY Children’s Rights Committee .................................................................. Joy Joseph 

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

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

WBASNY CLE Liason Committee ................................................................. Ann M. McNulty 

WBASNY JALBCA Committee .................................................................... Sandra A. Forster 

WBASNY Convention Committee ............................................................... Adrienne Orbach 

WBASNY Equal Opportunity in the Profession Committee .......................................... Kim Berg 

WBASNY Sex Traficking Committee ....................................................... Sarah Ross-Benjamin 

WBASNY Access to Justice Committee .......................................................... Rachel Halperin 

WBASNY Collaborative Law Committee ........................................................ Kathleen Donelli 

WBASNY Education/Title IX Committee ......................................................... Sarah Richmond 

WBASNY Health Issues & Reproductive Rights Committee ................................ Sara Hechtman 

WBASNY Intellectual Property Committee .................................................. Elizabeth Barnhard 

WBASNY Women’s Judges Committee .................................................... Lisa Margaret Smith 

WBASNY Criminal Law Committee .................................................................. Sherlyn Pulver 

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

Page 2 

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News

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President’s Message 

from page 1 

“I can remember 

that, during my 

childhood, my 

mother always 

kept a gratitude 

journal, and my 

blessings this year 

are particularly 

bountiful.” 

sure for her extraordinary work on this 

newsletter; and Amanda Rieben, who is 

unbelievably organized, thoughtful, and 

helpful. 

I am grateful for our Past Presidents, 

who nurture me, guide me, and support 

me as I take on the challenge of this Presidency. 

I am grateful for our Executive Director, 

Elisabeth Campos, who reminds me 

at least daily that the sky is not, in fact, 

falling, and without whom I would be perpetually 

lost. 

I am grateful for our Board of Directors, 

who work diligently and endlessly to 

better our organization and their community. 

Their inventiveness and brilliance 

astounds me each month. 

I am grateful for WBASNY, who reminds 

me that we are part of a larger family 

and that each of us plays a crucial role. 

I am grateful for our membership, 

whose accomplishments, intelligence, and 

desire to participate is unparalleled, and I 

am so extremely honored to be in a position 

to lead their organization this year. 

I am grateful for our fellow bar associations, 

whose, not just willingness, but 

desire, to partner together is noticed and 

appreciated. 

I am grateful for my parents, who have 

provided the blueprint for working hard 

and working smart, and who have believed 

in, protected, cherished, challenged, sup- 


Editor’s Note 


”Remember the sky that you were born under, know each of the star’s stories. / 

Remember the moon, know who she is. / Remember the sun’s birth at dawn, 

that is the strongest point of time. Remember sundown and the giving away to 

night . . .” 

~ from “Remember,” by Joy Harjo 

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. 

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 

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

Full Page Display Ad: 5-10 Issues - $525.00 per issue; 1-4 Issues - $575.00 per issue 

Half Page Display Ad: 5-10 Issues - $275.00 per issue; 1-4 Issues - $300.00 per issue 

Quarter Page Display Ad: 5-10 Issues - $165.00 per issue; 1-4 Issues - $180.00 per issue 

Business Card Ad: 5-10 Issues - $60.00 per issue; 1-4 Issues - $75.00 per issue 

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

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

Back Cover (3/4 page) 

5-10 Issues - $650.00 per issue; 1-4 Issues - $700.00 per issue 

Deadline for all ads is the 10th of the month prior to publication. Ads are subject to space limitations. 

Contact Jill Oziemblewski at secretary@wwbany.org for any questions regarding advertising. 

Page 3

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The Hon. Lisa Margaret Smith’s Portrait Unveiled 

Jill Oziemblewski 

Corresponding Secretary 

The Honorable Lisa Margaret Smith’s 

portrait was unveiled in a ceremony held in 

the Charles L. Brieant Jr. Federal Building 

and Courthouse on October 8, 2021. Longtime 

judicial colleagues of Judge Smith, including 

Chief District Judge Laura Taylor 

Swain, Senior District Judge Colleen 

McMahon, Chief Magistrate Judge Paul 

Davison, and longtime friend Anthony J. 

Siano, Esq., shared meaningful words in 

her honor, speaking of their bonds rooted 

in family, singing, office space, and-universally 

recalled as remarkable-Judge 

Smith’s delicious home-baked cookies. 

During her 25 years on the bench Judge 

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Smith was a unifying, devoted, graceful, brilliant 

presence in the courthouse, as she has 

been and continues to be in her leadership 

roles with the WWBA, personally influencing 

so many of us. The detailed and beautiful 

portrait features a lace collar ornamented 

with purple flowers, which Judge 

Smith wore during her last year on the bench 

in homage to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. 

Judge Smith’s portrait is the first of a Magistrate 

Judge to be displayed in any Southern 

District of New York courthouse, and 

the first portrait of a woman judge to be 

displayed in the White Plains Courthouse, 

where it will hang in the Ceremonial Courtroom. 

The portrait is a gift to the Court from 

Judge Smith’s 25 law clerks. ◗ 

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Page 4 


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An Interview with Stacey Neumann 

Susan L. Pollet 

Chair of the Archive and 

Historian Committee 

Q: When and why did you 

become involved in the 

WWBA? 

A: I joined the WWBA for the 

first time in January 2019. I 

had worked up until that time 

in New York City, and had 

just started working as Director 

of Legal Services at 

Hope’s Door in Hawthorne. 

I wanted to make connections 

with the legal community in 

Westchester and spread the 

word about the life-saving 

work that Hope’s Door was 

doing for victims of domestic 

violence. 

Q: Which activities and positions 

of the WWBA have 

you participated in? 

A: I have been Co-Chair of 

the Domestic Violence subcommittee 

since September 

2020. In this role, I along 

with my co-chairs Marian 

Genio and Beth Levy, organized 

a panel discussion that 

focused on working with domestic 

violence victims with 

disabilities and the unique 

challenges and barriers to 

obtaining help which may be 

exacerbated during the pandemic, 

entitled “Representing 

Domestic Violence Victims 

with Disabilities in the Age of 

Covid-19.” I presented along 

with two other esteemed panelists, 

Jennifer DeCarli, Esq., 

LMSW, Assistant Commissioner 

for Family Justice Center 

and Outreach in the NYC 

Mayor’s Office to End Domestic 

and Gender-Based 

Violence (ENGBV), and 

Kathryn Carroll, Esq., an attorney 

whose practice focuses 

on inclusion and accessibility 

for people with dis- 

“It may seem difficult to change 

course once you start, but it is 

not impossible. The beauty of 

our field is there are so many 

different roles you can have with 

a law degree. Keep an open mind 

and keep learning . . .” 

abilities. This event was a Zoom 

presentation held on December 

10, 2020. On May 27, 

2021, I hosted another panel 

discussion, also sponsored by 

the WWBA Domestic Violence 

Committee, via Zoom. 

This program focused on 

the challenges presented in servicing 

clients virtually and the 

lessons learned during the 

transition to remote services, 

entitled “One Year Later- How 

the Pandemic Changed our 

Profession: Perspectives and 

Tips from Practitioners and the 

Court.” Sitting on the distinguished 

panel for this presentation 

was Karen L. Johansen, 

Esq., Associate Court Attorney 

to the Honorable Arlene E. 

Katz, JFC, Westchester County 

Family Court, and Jane 

Silverman, Esq., an attorney in 

the Family Law Unit at the Pace 

Women’s Justice Center. 

Q: What would you like to see 

the WWBA accomplish in the 

future? 

A: I would like the WWBA to 

continue to host programs virtually 

and/or offer a virtual option 

to in person programming. 

I think virtual presentations are 

sometimes easier to attend for 

attorneys, especially those who 

are solo practitioners or for 

those who work in small offices. 


I feel personally that I have benefitted 

immensely over the last 

year and a half from the virtual 

trainings and webinars that I 

have watched, many of which 

were sponsored by the WWBA. 

I could never have attended as 

many if I had to attend them in 

person. The knowledge I have 

gained has enhanced the legal 

program I manage at 

Hope’s Door and benefitted the 

clients we serve. 

Q: Please tell us about your Legal 

Career. 

A: I graduated from Brooklyn 

Law School in 1996 and spent 

the first 17 years of my legal 

career as an Assistant District 

Attorney at the Kings County 

District Attorney’s Office. For 

most of my tenure, I worked in 

the Domestic Violence Bureau 

prosecuting misdemeanors and 

felonies, including assault, 

criminal contempt, rape, and 

homicide cases. After five 

years, I was promoted to Deputy 

Bureau Chief and was responsible 

for supervising the 

caseloads of new ADAs in 

Criminal Court. In 2009, my 

husband and I decided to move 

to Pound Ridge with our two 

young daughters. I commuted 

to Brooklyn for several years, 

and despite the two-hour trek 

each way, I was not ready to 

Stacey Neumann 

leave the job I loved and colleagues 

who had become 

like family, to look for something 

closer to home. After 

six years, however, I decided 

that the time spent traveling 

to and from was too much to 

continue. After I left the DA’s 

office, I was lucky to get an 

opportunity to start a legal 

program at Hope’s Door, an 

incredible nonprofit organization 

in Westchester that has 

been providing services to 

victims of domestic violence 

for over 40 years. In 2018, 

CarlLa Horton, Hope’s Door 

Executive Director, secured a 

five-year federal VOCA (Victims 

of Crime Act) grant 

award administered by NYS 

Office of Victim Services to 

fund a legal program and 

hired me to start Hope’s Door 

Legal Center. My dedicated 

staff, who were instrumental 

in establishing the foundation 

of the legal program, 

include Mia Pergolizzi, an 

attorney, and Brittany Miraldi, 

a paralegal who also attends 

Pace Law School. We are 

also fortunate to have volunteer 

attorneys and college 

and law school students assist 

us in our work. The 


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MAKING STRIDES OF WESTCHESTER 2021 

from page 1 

from 11-12. All walkers wore masks, 

and walkers were spread out over the 

entire course, rather than walking in one 

large group. Some walkers, including 

some members of Team Orbach, 

walked the route twice. 

One of the members of Team 

Orbach, when asked about the walk, 

responded, “It was great, the best part 

of it was that you get to see the people 

you love!” Many of those who walk with 

Team Orbach are breast cancer survivors, 

or are currently battling the disease, 

and the sense of camaraderie and 

support among them is always palpable. 

Among the walkers this year were 

Adrienne’s two young nephews, Jack 

and Matthew, who walked the route with 

energy and joy. This writer interviewed 

young Jack after the walk was done and 

a few of us were having lunch together. 

When asked, “Did you enjoy walking 

with Aunt Adrienne?” Jack simply nodded 

his head in a positive way. Then, 

when asked, “How is your sandwich?” 

he stopped chewing long enough to say 

“Very good.” 

According to the event organizers 

about 5000 walkers participated in the 

From left, Ilsa Klinghoffer, Lisa Smith, Deb 

Scalise, Adrienne Orbach 

Judge Smith interviewing Adrienne’s nephew, 

Jack 

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2021 event in Westchester. Between the 

Westchester event and a sister event that 

took place in Orange County, New York, 

approximately 1.15 million dollars was 

raised. 

As of this writing Team Orbach has 

raised $17,056, and is in a virtual threeway 

tie with two other teams (we are all 

within $700 of one another). Donations 

will be accepted until December 31, 

2021, and may be made by going to 

https://mobileacs.org/rgtvnr to make an 

online donation to the team. Team 

Orbach implores you to make a timely 

donation if you have not already done 

so, and to make a second donation if 

you have, so that we can move into sole 

possession of second place in fundraising 

this year (the first place team has more 

than double the donations of each of the 

next three teams, so we’re not aiming for 

first). 

Thanks to the support of so many, 

including tens of thousands of walkers 

across the country, the American Cancer 

Society is there for everyone in every 

community touched by breast cancer. 

ACS provides support to those who 

are currently dealing with a breast cancer 


An Interview with Stacey Neumann 

from page 5 

Covid-19 pandemic made 

the need for legal services for 

domestic violence victims 

even more crucial, and I 

hope to expand the program 

in the near future by securing 

additional funding to 

help more clients in need of 

our assistance. In addition 

to legal services, Hope’s 

Door provides residential and 

community services for victims 

of domestic violence and 

anyone in need of assistance 

should call our 24-Hour 

Hotline Number at 888-438- 

8700 or visit our website at 

www.hopesdoorny.org. 

Q: What advice do you have 

for new lawyers entering the 

profession? 

A: I would tell new lawyers that 

you should not be tied to one 

plan. Many people go to law 

school with a specific direction 

or field that they want to work in 

and that is exactly what they end 

up doing. For others like myself, 

I did not intend to do public 

service while I was in school, 

but through classes I took and 

internships I had, I landed at the 

DA’s office and have found a 

passion in the work that I do. It 

may seem difficult to change 

course once you start, but it is 

not impossible. The beauty of 

our field is there are so many 

different roles you can have with 

a law degree. Keep an open 

mind and keep learning and if 

you really want to, you can find 

a new door to open. 

Q: How have you balanced 

family responsibilities and your 

legal career? 

A: I became a Mom after I was 

working at the DA’s Office for 

seven years. I loved being a 

Prosecutor but I also wanted to 

be able to spend time at home 

with my daughter. I will be forever 

grateful to District Attorney 

Charles Hynes who permitted 

ADAs to work flexible schedules 

that allowed me to be home with 

my children and do the job I 

loved. 

Q: When you are not lawyering, 

which community activities 

and other interests do 

you pursue? 

A: When I am not working, I 

can often be found on the softball 

field cheering on my two 

daughters who play on tournament 

teams and are soon 

to be in college. I am also a 

Trustee on the Board at my 

synagogue, Shir Shalom, in 

Ridgefield, Connecticut. I 

love reading, running, and 

walking my dog Dallas with 

my husband Jordan, who is 

a huge Dallas Cowboy fan, 

hence the name. ◗ 

Page 6 


S A V E T H E D A T E 


Page 7

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Chapter News and Announcements 

Announcements & Notes on Members 

❑ The Cuddy Law Firm is pleased to announce that Alison Morris 

has been named a Senior Attorney in the Westchester Office, a direct 

result of Alison’s hard work and dedication to those with special needs. 

Six years ago, Alison began working for the Cuddy Law Firm. Through 

the years, Alison has become such a crucial part of our team and the 

fabric of what our law firm is all about. Alison’s dedication is unmatched 

and we are proud to call her our own. Alison’s practice includes 

special education advocacy, assisting families behind the scenes and participating 

at their children’s individualized education program (IEP) and 504 Plan meetings, 

and she also assists clients in navigating the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities 

(OPWDD) system, including helping with OPWDD applications and ensuring 

appropriate services are provided. She also provides trainings, including CLEs, on topics 

of interest to both professionals and families on special education law, and she Co- 

Chairs both the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Disability Rights and the 

Westchester Women’s Bar Association’s Education Committee. Alison is also the very 

proud and dedicated older sister of an individual with special needs, which is where her 

passion and dedication to her practice and clients stems from. 

Alison is also an Adjunct Professor at Pace Law School, teaching a course entitled 

Law and Education. We congratulate Alison on her accomplishments and wish her 

nothing but success. 

❑ Prolific author Susan L. . Pollet 

ollet, former WWBA President, has 

published a book of short stories entitled, “Not So Surprise Endings,” 

which is available on Amazon. This collection explores how, why, and 

what happens when certain things end: What happens to the pastor 

who speaks ill of his dead wife? What does paradise turn into when it 

becomes something else? When do you know certain relationships 

are over? What does an obsession with youth produce? What does 

rudeness lead to? What happens when a Queen Bee misuses her 

power and stings? Can a person obsessed with perfectionism overcome 

it? Does your dog become a person to you, and how does that play out? Where 

does being selfish lead to? Who can a spoiled child turn into as an adult? When 

someone dies, do men and women grieve differently and does that matter in the end? 

While these questions are not necessarily interrelated, the common bond is that 

there are often consequences resulting from our behaviors and the actions of others, 

which can lead to surprising, and not so surprising, endings. 

Susan’s other titles, all available on Amazon, include: Grey Divorce: From Pain to 

Peace; Women in Crisis: Stories From The Edge; Through Walter’s Lens; Lessons in 

Survival: All About Amos (Available on Amazon #WritingCommunity); and Juliette 

Rose’s Dream of Becoming. ◗ 

Employment Opportunity 

The Valhalla office of the Cuddy Law Firm, PLLC is looking to grow our team with an 

attorney to handle special education appeals in federal court including fee claims. The 

candidate must have at least one year of litigation experience in federal court and have 

experience drafting and filing federal court actions. 

A strong candidate must possess quality writing and oral advocacy skills. The candidate 

must have excellent organizational skills, be capable of navigating a fast-paced 

environment, and managing a substantial caseload. 

A demonstrated interest in and commitment to working with underserved families is 

preferred. 

There are also opportunities to work on administrative hearings and appeals focusing 

on special education matters. Salary is commensurate with experience. Please email 

resumes with a cover letter outlining experience to Adrienne Arkontaky, Esq. at 

aarkontaky@cuddylawfirm.com. No calls please. ◗ 

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: 

EMMA BUCHAN CASSIDY 

Student 

JACQUELINE GRAF 

Student 

THERESA MARIE PERSICO 

Student 

SHARON F. . COOPER, ESQ. 

Cuddy & Feder LLP 

445 Hamilton Avenue, 14th Floor 

White Plains, NY 10601 

scooper@cuddyfeder.com 

RAQUEL COPPOLA 

Student 

BIANCA CUCCINELLO 

Student 

MARGARET CYR-OHNGEMACH 

Student 

IDALIS DAVIS 

Student 

KAITLYNN E. . DIXON 

Student 

STEPHANIE L. GONZALES 

Student 

 

VANESSA HARRISON 

Student 

GINA HERVEY 

Student 

ELLIE HOLLERAN 

Student 

RIANNA L. IORILLO 

Student 

MARY ELIZABETH KELLERMAN 

Student 

HAYLEY MARGULIS 

Student 

KATHR 

THRYN YN MCBRYAN 

AN 

Student 

HARRIET PALMER 

Student 

GABRIELLA PEREIRA 

Student 

SHELBIRE PIERRE PAUL 

Student 

MARIAM MAHMOOD 

QURESHI, ESQ. 

NICOLE RASCO 

Student 

COREY B. ROSEN 

Student 

SHEILA TAPIA 

Student 

KAITLYN YN TRANK 

Student 

MEKAELA E. . WALTERS 

Student 

GIANNA WEBER 

Student 

 

Making Strides of Westchester 

from page 6 

diagnosis, those who may face 

diagnosis in the future, and 

those who may avoid a diagnosis 

altogether thanks to education 

and risk reduction. Many 

women have put off regular 

exams and mammograms during 

the pandemic, and as a result 

cancers that could have 

been detected early have been 

allowed to grow and present a 

greater health risk. If you are 

among those who have refrained 

from seeing your doctor, 

please delay no longer. Protect 

yourself by calling your 

medical provider for an immediate 

appointment. ◗ 

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President’s Message 

from page 3 

ported, and loved the stuffing out of me my entire life. 

I am grateful for my grandmother who, although I can no 

longer see her, is with me every day. 

I am grateful for Zoe, who is my (constant) companion and 

everything I never knew I needed. 

I am grateful for my circle of friends, who taught me that 

family isn’t always connected by blood. 

I am grateful for my memories of childhood Thanksgivings, 

where we gathered in Carmel, NY with old friends and extended 

family, going on nature walks, driving the tractor, playing board 

games, and working together on a mural to hang over the thismust-be-what-heaven-smells-like 

fireplace. 

I am grateful for traditions old and new, friends near and far, 

and the joy that this month represents. Specifically, though, I am 

grateful for each of you. 

“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they 

are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” – 

Marcel Proust ◗ 


Page 9

WWBA Schedule of Upcoming Events 

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

WWBA Board of Directors 

and General Membership 

Meeting 

WBASNY Board of 

Directors Meeting 

11/03/21 

5:30 p.m. to 7:30 

p.m. 

11/13/21 

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 

p.m. 

WWBA Book Club 11/15/21 

6:00 p.m 

Real Property Meeting 11/16/21 

12:30 p.m 

Zoom 

Zoom 

Zoom or 

In-Person (Linda 

Markowitz’s residence) 

Myth Busting the Trans 

Sport Panic: The 

Imagined Crisis at the 

Top and the Ignored 

Crisis at the Bottom 

Presented by the 

Federal Bar 

Association, SDNY 

Chapter, and Co- 

Sponsored by the 

WBBA, WCBA and 


1.5 CLE Credits in 

Professional Practice 

and Diversity (pending 

approval) 

Book: “Fahrenheit 

451” by Ray Bradbury 

See www.wwbany.org for details 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/myth 

-busting-the-trans-sports-panictickets-194072605387 


Email Lisa Denig to RSVP or for 

Zoom link 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 November 2021 Newsletter - M

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