WWBA November 2021 Newsletter
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Westchester Women’s Bar Association<br />
NOVEMBER <strong>2021</strong><br />
MAKING STRIDES OF<br />
WESTCHESTER <strong>2021</strong><br />
Hon. Lisa Margaret Smith<br />
F<br />
or many years the team of Orbach and Friends,<br />
led by the indefatigable Adrienne Orbach, has<br />
walked in the annual walk to raise money for<br />
breast cancer research, sponsored by the American Cancer<br />
Society. The team is made up of <strong>WWBA</strong> members, along<br />
with friends and relatives of <strong>WWBA</strong> members. In 2020<br />
our team walked, but instead of gathering with thousands<br />
of people on the Manhattanville College campus and<br />
taking a five mile walk through the neighborhood, many<br />
of us walked either alone or in very small groups, in light<br />
of the social restrictions caused by the pandemic. We<br />
were therefore delighted when it was announced that this<br />
year’s Making Strides Of Westchester would take place,<br />
still at the Manhattanville Campus, but with a shortened<br />
walk (just 1.4 miles), within the campus itself rather than<br />
going around the neighborhood. Large gatherings of<br />
<strong>WWBA</strong><br />
teams were discouraged (thus, no team picture this year), but the walk went forward on<br />
Sunday, October 17, <strong>2021</strong>, a beautiful sunny day, although it was chilly and windy.<br />
Teams were scheduled to set off at times set by the organizers, with the first groups<br />
walking from 9-10, others, including Team Orbach, from 10-11, and final teams<br />
INSIDE THIS ISSUE<br />
NOVEMBER <strong>2021</strong><br />
Hon. Lisa Margaret Smith’s<br />
Portrait Unveiled<br />
(page 4)<br />
An Interview with<br />
Stacey Neumann<br />
(page 5)<br />
<strong>WWBA</strong> Holiday Party<br />
Announcement<br />
(page 7 )<br />
Upcoming Events<br />
(page 10)<br />
SAVE THE DATE<br />
<strong>WWBA</strong><br />
BOARD OF DIRECTORS<br />
AND GENERAL<br />
MEMBERSHIP MEETING<br />
<strong>November</strong> 3, <strong>2021</strong><br />
Westchester Women’s Bar Association News<br />
<strong>WWBA</strong> Walkers Lucia<br />
Chiocchio, Jen Netrosio<br />
Johnson, Lisa Bluestein, and<br />
Deb Scalise<br />
continued on page 6 ➥<br />
WBASNY BOARD OF<br />
DIRECTORS MEETING<br />
<strong>November</strong> 13, <strong>2021</strong><br />
<strong>WWBA</strong><br />
BOOK CLUB<br />
<strong>November</strong> 15, <strong>2021</strong><br />
<strong>WWBA</strong> REAL PROPERTY<br />
COMMITTEE MEETING<br />
<strong>November</strong> 16, <strong>2021</strong><br />
news<br />
www.wwbany.org<br />
PRESIDENT’S<br />
MESSAGE<br />
Although I can’t<br />
fathom how it happened,<br />
sources tell<br />
me that <strong>November</strong><br />
is upon us-a month<br />
of turkey, family<br />
gatherings, and<br />
warm sweaters. This<br />
month brings us<br />
Amanda C. Fried<br />
World Kindness Day<br />
on <strong>November</strong> 13th, World Peace Day<br />
on <strong>November</strong> 27th, and National<br />
Adoption Day on <strong>November</strong> 23rd, and<br />
it reminds us of the many things for<br />
which we are thankful.<br />
I can remember that, during my<br />
childhood, my mother always kept a<br />
gratitude journal, and my blessings this<br />
year are particularly bountiful.<br />
I am grateful for our Executive<br />
Committee: Kim Berg, who is a priceless<br />
source of knowledge; Angela<br />
Morcone Giannini, who believed in me<br />
before I believed in myself and has always<br />
been my champion; Judge Lisa<br />
Margaret Smith, who graciously tolerated<br />
my neuroses during my year as<br />
President-Elect; Elizabeth Marcus, who<br />
will make an incredible leader next year;<br />
Tanya Briendel, who somehow endured<br />
years as my co-chair for the Programs<br />
Committee and has fantastic ideas; Jen<br />
Gray, who is my absolute favorite Annual<br />
Dinner door co-greeter and<br />
handles everything with grace; Julie<br />
Passman, who is more qualified and<br />
skilled than she knows; Deborah<br />
Farber-Kaiser, who makes sure I know<br />
that I have a friend to fall back on; Jill<br />
Oziemblewski, who is an absolute treacontinued<br />
on page 3 ➥<br />
Page 1<br />
The Westchester Women’s Bar Association is a Chapter of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○<br />
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○<br />
<strong>WWBA</strong> Member <strong>Newsletter</strong><br />
NOVEMBER <strong>2021</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 />
~ <strong>2021</strong>/2022 Officers and Directors ~<br />
President AMANDA C. FRIED<br />
President-Elect ELIZABETH Z. MARCUS<br />
Vice Presidents<br />
NATANYA L. BRIENDEL JENNIFER L. GRAY JULIE P. PASSMAN<br />
Treasurer<br />
DEBORAH FARBER-KAISER Recording Secretary AMANDA K. RIEBEN<br />
Corresponding Secretary JILL OZIEMBLEWSKI<br />
Immediate Past ast President<br />
HON. LISA MARGARET SMITH<br />
Elected Directors Westchester Board<br />
KIM BERG ROBIN D. CARTON LISA M. DENIG<br />
ANNETTE HASAPIDIS ALISON SLOTO<br />
State Directors Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York<br />
LUCIA CHIOCCHIO JACQUELINE HATTAR ANN M. McNULTY<br />
ANGELA MORCONE GIANNINI ADRIENNE ORBACH<br />
SUSAN MILLS RICHMOND JANEEN THOMAS<br />
Executive Director ELISABETH CAMPOS<br />
© Copyright <strong>2021</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: Jill Oziemblewski • Designed and Printed by IPM Media Group, Inc. (516) 809-0501<br />
<strong>2021</strong>-2022 <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 ............................................................................... Kim Berg<br />
Corporate & Commercial ................ Lisa M. Bluestein, Virginia Trunkes<br />
Criminal Law ................. Elizabeth Gazay, Amy Puerto, Christine Paska<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, Angela Morcone Giannini<br />
Matrimonial ...... Robin D. Carton, Andrea Friedman, Jennifer Jackman<br />
Annual Dinner ............................................... Robin D. Carton, Amanda Fried<br />
Jennifer L. Gray, Jennifer Johnson<br />
Annual Dinner Souvenir Journal ....................................... Andrea B. Friedman<br />
Appellate Practice ........... Lisa M. Denig, Hon. Sondra M. Miller, Heather Gushue<br />
Archive & Historian ................................................................. Susan L. Pollet<br />
Awards ......................................... Elizabeth Barnhard, Deborah Farber-Kaiser<br />
Bankruptcy ............................... Wendy Marie Weathers, Susan Mills Richmond<br />
Breast Cancer Awareness ............. Adrienne J. Orbach, Hon. Sandra A. Forster<br />
Collaborative Law ......... Kathleen Donelli, Hon. Sondra M. Miller, Lynn J. Maier<br />
Community Outreach ................ Hon. Lisa Margaret Smith, Deborah A. Scalise<br />
Construction Law ............................................. Aisling Brady, Rachel Geraghty<br />
Continuing Legal Education .................................................. Ann M. McNulty<br />
Cyber Law ........................................................................................... TBD<br />
Diversity and Inclusion .. Jacqueline Hattar, Stephanie Melowsky, Janeen Thomas<br />
Domestic Violence ........................ Marian Genio, Beth Levy, Stacey Neumann<br />
Education ................... Allison Morris, Julie P. Passman, , Susan Mills Richmond<br />
Elder, Health Law & Reproductive Rights .... Elizabeth A. Cumming, Moira Laidlaw<br />
Employment Law ........................................................... Kim Berg, Sara Kula<br />
Environmental & Land Use Lucia Chiocchio, Jennifer L. Gray, Katherine Zalantis<br />
Gender Dynamics ................................................................................ TBD<br />
Holiday Party and Boutique .............. Jennifer Netrosio-Johnson, Jessica Piperis<br />
Immigration ................... Karin Anderson, Elizabeth Mastropolo, Mayha Ghouri<br />
Insurance ............................................. Michelle Kolodny, Julie A. Mickiewicz<br />
Intellectual Property .............................. Elizabeth M. Barnhard, Theresa Nugent<br />
Judgment Enforcement & Collections ...... Daniel F. Florio, Jr., Michael Giannini<br />
Litigation .................... Angela Giannini, Jacqueline Hattar, Rebecca McCloskey<br />
Long Range Planning ...................................... Lisa M. Denig, Linda Markowitz<br />
Mediation ..................... Hon. Sondra M. Miller, Abby Rosmarin, Lisa M. Denig<br />
Mentor ............................................ Kim Berg, Sherry Bishko, Christine Paska<br />
Past Presidents ...... Angela Giannini, Deborah Scalise, Hon. Lisa Margaret Smith<br />
Practice Management ................................................. Wendy Marie Weathers<br />
A D H O C C O M M I T T E E S<br />
Membership ............................................ Sherry Bishko, Marian Genio<br />
Networking ........................................ Jennifer Netrosio, Jessica Piperis<br />
New Lawyers ............................................ Katie Wendle, Aisha Scholes<br />
Professional Development .. Susan Edwards Colson, Stephanie Melowsky<br />
Programs .......................................... Natanya L. Briendel, Amy Puerto<br />
Public Relations ............................................................ Lisa M. Denig<br />
Real Property ....... Anne R. Aicher, Allyson Lanahan, Robbin E. Sweeney<br />
Sponsorship .............................. Susan Colson, Deborah Farber-Kaiser,<br />
Meredith Kenyon<br />
Taxation ........................................................... Patricia Rusch Bellucci<br />
Trusts & Estates ........... Nancy J. Rudolph, Karen J. Walsh, Lonya Gilbert<br />
Pro Bono ..................................................... Marian Genio, Natalie Sobchak<br />
Social Media ........................................................................................ TBD<br />
Technology/Website .................................... Theresa Nugent, Janeen Thomas<br />
Wellness ........................................... Jennifer Netrosio, Susan Mills Richmond<br />
Women in Leadership ........................................................................... TBD<br />
<strong>WWBA</strong><br />
Representatives<br />
Network of Bar Leaders ............................................ Angela Morcone Giannini, Robin Carton<br />
Pace Board of Visitors .......................................................................................... Lisa Denig<br />
<strong>WWBA</strong> Foundation President ......................................................................... Susan S. Brown<br />
<strong>WWBA</strong> Representative Director to the WCBA Board ........................................... Jennifer Gray<br />
WBASNY Vice President .............................................................................. Shari R. Gordon<br />
WBASNY Judiciary/Courts Committee ......................... Gail M. Boggio (Rep), Lisa Bluestein (Alt)<br />
WBASNY Nominations Committee ......................... Lisa M. Bluestein (Rep), Gail M. Boggio (Alt)<br />
WBASNY Awards Committee ...................................................................... Deborah Scalise<br />
WBASNY Chapters-Membership Committee ..................................................... Sherry Bishko<br />
WBASNY Family/Matrimonial Law Committee .............................................. Jennifer Jackman<br />
WBASNY Fundraising Committee ............................................................... Andrea Friedman<br />
WBASNY ERA/Women’s Civil Rights ........ Kim Berg (Co-Chair), Susan Mills Richmond (Member)<br />
WBASNY Labor and Employment Law Committee ..................................................... Kim Berg<br />
WBASNY Legislation Committee ................................................................. Natanya Briendel<br />
WBASNY LGBTQ+ Committee ................................................................. Adrienne Orbach<br />
WBASNY Domestic Violence Committee ............ Susan Pollet (Co-Chair), Alayne Katz (Member)<br />
WBASNY Press and Public Relations Committee .............................. Angela Morcone Giannini<br />
WBASNY Children’s Rights Committee .................................................................. Joy Joseph<br />
WBASNY Long-Range Planning Committee .................................................... Linda Markowitz<br />
WBASNY Diversity Committee ...................................................................... Janeen Thomas<br />
WBASNY CLE Liason Committee ................................................................. Ann M. McNulty<br />
WBASNY JALBCA Committee .................................................................... Sandra A. Forster<br />
WBASNY Convention Committee ............................................................... Adrienne Orbach<br />
WBASNY Equal Opportunity in the Profession Committee .......................................... Kim Berg<br />
WBASNY Sex Traficking Committee ....................................................... Sarah Ross-Benjamin<br />
WBASNY Access to Justice Committee .......................................................... Rachel Halperin<br />
WBASNY Collaborative Law Committee ........................................................ Kathleen Donelli<br />
WBASNY Education/Title IX Committee ......................................................... Sarah Richmond<br />
WBASNY Health Issues & Reproductive Rights Committee ................................ Sara Hechtman<br />
WBASNY Intellectual Property Committee .................................................. Elizabeth Barnhard<br />
WBASNY Women’s Judges Committee .................................................... Lisa Margaret Smith<br />
WBASNY Criminal Law Committee .................................................................. Sherlyn Pulver<br />
9th Judicial District Representative .................................... Lisa Margaret Smith, Amanda Fried<br />
Page 2<br />
Westchester Women’s Bar Association News
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○<br />
President’s Message<br />
from page 1<br />
“I can remember<br />
that, during my<br />
childhood, my<br />
mother always<br />
kept a gratitude<br />
journal, and my<br />
blessings this year<br />
are particularly<br />
bountiful.”<br />
sure for her extraordinary work on this<br />
newsletter; and Amanda Rieben, who is<br />
unbelievably organized, thoughtful, and<br />
helpful.<br />
I am grateful for our Past Presidents,<br />
who nurture me, guide me, and support<br />
me as I take on the challenge of this Presidency.<br />
I am grateful for our Executive Director,<br />
Elisabeth Campos, who reminds me<br />
at least daily that the sky is not, in fact,<br />
falling, and without whom I would be perpetually<br />
lost.<br />
I am grateful for our Board of Directors,<br />
who work diligently and endlessly to<br />
better our organization and their community.<br />
Their inventiveness and brilliance<br />
astounds me each month.<br />
I am grateful for WBASNY, who reminds<br />
me that we are part of a larger family<br />
and that each of us plays a crucial role.<br />
I am grateful for our membership,<br />
whose accomplishments, intelligence, and<br />
desire to participate is unparalleled, and I<br />
am so extremely honored to be in a position<br />
to lead their organization this year.<br />
I am grateful for our fellow bar associations,<br />
whose, not just willingness, but<br />
desire, to partner together is noticed and<br />
appreciated.<br />
I am grateful for my parents, who have<br />
provided the blueprint for working hard<br />
and working smart, and who have believed<br />
in, protected, cherished, challenged, sup-<br />
continued on page 9 ➥<br />
Editor’s Note<br />
Westchester Women’s Bar Association News<br />
”Remember the sky that you were born under, know each of the star’s stories. /<br />
Remember the moon, know who she is. / Remember the sun’s birth at dawn,<br />
that is the strongest point of time. Remember sundown and the giving away to<br />
night . . .”<br />
~ from “Remember,” by Joy Harjo<br />
Making Dates and Getting Published<br />
NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS<br />
❑ Deadline for newsletter submissions is the 10th 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 Jill Oziemblewski at jill_oziemblewski@yahoo.com.<br />
❑ Articles should be 1,000 words or fewer. Remove all pagination, headers, footers or other<br />
formatting, other than bold, underline or italics. Authors are encouraged to submit photographs<br />
for publication with their submissions and include a short biographical statement with<br />
their submissions.<br />
❑ Materials submitted allow the <strong>WWBA</strong> a limited copyright and full permission to reprint the<br />
material in any <strong>WWBA</strong> publication or on its website without additional consent.<br />
❑ Photographs must be high-resolution (150 dpi or more) and the subject and all persons in<br />
each photograph must be fully identified.<br />
PROGRAM SCHEDULING<br />
❑ First visit the <strong>WWBA</strong> website: www.wwbany.org and click on the calendar at the home page to<br />
view scheduled programs. Conflicts in scheduling will be assessed on a case by case basis, with<br />
priority for early submissions.<br />
❑ Contact Jill Oziemblewski at jill_oziemblewski@yahoo.com to schedule a <strong>WWBA</strong> sponsored<br />
or co-sponsored program, including committee meetings, CLE programs, etc.<br />
❑ Once you have reserved the date with Jill Oziemblewski, proceed with planning your program<br />
and creating your flyer.<br />
❑ Flyers must be approved by the Programs Committee. In advance of the 10th 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 />
Contacts<br />
Jill Oziemblewski, Corresponding Secretary and <strong>Newsletter</strong> Editor-in-Chief: jill_oziemblewski@yahoo.com<br />
Natanya L. Briendel, Programs Committee Co-Chair: tanyabriendel@gmail.com<br />
Amy Puerto, Programs Committee Co-Chair: amy.puerto@yahoo.com<br />
Amanda C. Fried, President: president@wwbany.org<br />
Ann M. McNulty, CLE Chair: ann.m.mcnulty@morganstanley.com<br />
Elisabeth Campos, Executive Director: executivedirector@wwbany.org<br />
A d v e r t i s i n g R a t e s<br />
Full Page Display Ad: 5-10 Issues - $525.00 per issue; 1-4 Issues - $575.00 per issue<br />
Half Page Display Ad: 5-10 Issues - $275.00 per issue; 1-4 Issues - $300.00 per issue<br />
Quarter Page Display Ad: 5-10 Issues - $165.00 per issue; 1-4 Issues - $180.00 per issue<br />
Business Card Ad: 5-10 Issues - $60.00 per issue; 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 10th of the month prior to publication. Ads are subject to space limitations.<br />
Contact Jill Oziemblewski at secretary@wwbany.org for any questions regarding advertising.<br />
Page 3
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○<br />
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○<br />
The Hon. Lisa Margaret Smith’s Portrait Unveiled<br />
Jill Oziemblewski<br />
Corresponding Secretary<br />
The Honorable Lisa Margaret Smith’s<br />
portrait was unveiled in a ceremony held in<br />
the Charles L. Brieant Jr. Federal Building<br />
and Courthouse on October 8, <strong>2021</strong>. Longtime<br />
judicial colleagues of Judge Smith, including<br />
Chief District Judge Laura Taylor<br />
Swain, Senior District Judge Colleen<br />
McMahon, Chief Magistrate Judge Paul<br />
Davison, and longtime friend Anthony J.<br />
Siano, Esq., shared meaningful words in<br />
her honor, speaking of their bonds rooted<br />
in family, singing, office space, and-universally<br />
recalled as remarkable-Judge<br />
Smith’s delicious home-baked cookies.<br />
During her 25 years on the bench Judge<br />
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○<br />
Smith was a unifying, devoted, graceful, brilliant<br />
presence in the courthouse, as she has<br />
been and continues to be in her leadership<br />
roles with the <strong>WWBA</strong>, personally influencing<br />
so many of us. The detailed and beautiful<br />
portrait features a lace collar ornamented<br />
with purple flowers, which Judge<br />
Smith wore during her last year on the bench<br />
in homage to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.<br />
Judge Smith’s portrait is the first of a Magistrate<br />
Judge to be displayed in any Southern<br />
District of New York courthouse, and<br />
the first portrait of a woman judge to be<br />
displayed in the White Plains Courthouse,<br />
where it will hang in the Ceremonial Courtroom.<br />
The portrait is a gift to the Court from<br />
Judge Smith’s 25 law clerks. ◗<br />
A Leader in Serving the<br />
Legal Services Community.<br />
That’s Sterling.<br />
Expect the highest caliber of personal service and<br />
banking expertise.<br />
Expect extraordinary.<br />
Contact banking professionals experienced in<br />
serving your unique needs at 914-367-9000,<br />
or email team556@snb.com<br />
Larry McElroen, Senior Managing Director<br />
Michael Henderson, Senior Managing Director<br />
Anthony Forgione, Managing Director<br />
Moira Kiernan, Managing Director<br />
Luis Rivera, Associate Managing Director<br />
To learn about Sterling’s full suite<br />
of services, visit snb.com.<br />
Member<br />
FDIC<br />
Jamie O’Connell<br />
Wealth Director<br />
701 Westchester Avenue<br />
White Plains, NY 10604<br />
T 914 299 3050 F 955 498 2839<br />
jamie.o’connell@bnymellon.com<br />
www.bnymellonwealth.com<br />
Page 4<br />
Westchester Women’s Bar Association News
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○<br />
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○<br />
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○<br />
An Interview with Stacey Neumann<br />
Susan L. Pollet<br />
Chair of the Archive and<br />
Historian Committee<br />
Q: When and why did you<br />
become involved in the<br />
<strong>WWBA</strong>?<br />
A: I joined the <strong>WWBA</strong> for the<br />
first time in January 2019. I<br />
had worked up until that time<br />
in New York City, and had<br />
just started working as Director<br />
of Legal Services at<br />
Hope’s Door in Hawthorne.<br />
I wanted to make connections<br />
with the legal community in<br />
Westchester and spread the<br />
word about the life-saving<br />
work that Hope’s Door was<br />
doing for victims of domestic<br />
violence.<br />
Q: Which activities and positions<br />
of the <strong>WWBA</strong> have<br />
you participated in?<br />
A: I have been Co-Chair of<br />
the Domestic Violence subcommittee<br />
since September<br />
2020. In this role, I along<br />
with my co-chairs Marian<br />
Genio and Beth Levy, organized<br />
a panel discussion that<br />
focused on working with domestic<br />
violence victims with<br />
disabilities and the unique<br />
challenges and barriers to<br />
obtaining help which may be<br />
exacerbated during the pandemic,<br />
entitled “Representing<br />
Domestic Violence Victims<br />
with Disabilities in the Age of<br />
Covid-19.” I presented along<br />
with two other esteemed panelists,<br />
Jennifer DeCarli, Esq.,<br />
LMSW, Assistant Commissioner<br />
for Family Justice Center<br />
and Outreach in the NYC<br />
Mayor’s Office to End Domestic<br />
and Gender-Based<br />
Violence (ENGBV), and<br />
Kathryn Carroll, Esq., an attorney<br />
whose practice focuses<br />
on inclusion and accessibility<br />
for people with dis-<br />
“It may seem difficult to change<br />
course once you start, but it is<br />
not impossible. The beauty of<br />
our field is there are so many<br />
different roles you can have with<br />
a law degree. Keep an open mind<br />
and keep learning . . .”<br />
abilities. This event was a Zoom<br />
presentation held on December<br />
10, 2020. On May 27,<br />
<strong>2021</strong>, I hosted another panel<br />
discussion, also sponsored by<br />
the <strong>WWBA</strong> Domestic Violence<br />
Committee, via Zoom.<br />
This program focused on<br />
the challenges presented in servicing<br />
clients virtually and the<br />
lessons learned during the<br />
transition to remote services,<br />
entitled “One Year Later- How<br />
the Pandemic Changed our<br />
Profession: Perspectives and<br />
Tips from Practitioners and the<br />
Court.” Sitting on the distinguished<br />
panel for this presentation<br />
was Karen L. Johansen,<br />
Esq., Associate Court Attorney<br />
to the Honorable Arlene E.<br />
Katz, JFC, Westchester County<br />
Family Court, and Jane<br />
Silverman, Esq., an attorney in<br />
the Family Law Unit at the Pace<br />
Women’s Justice Center.<br />
Q: What would you like to see<br />
the <strong>WWBA</strong> accomplish in the<br />
future?<br />
A: I would like the <strong>WWBA</strong> to<br />
continue to host programs virtually<br />
and/or offer a virtual option<br />
to in person programming.<br />
I think virtual presentations are<br />
sometimes easier to attend for<br />
attorneys, especially those who<br />
are solo practitioners or for<br />
those who work in small offices.<br />
Westchester Women’s Bar Association News<br />
I feel personally that I have benefitted<br />
immensely over the last<br />
year and a half from the virtual<br />
trainings and webinars that I<br />
have watched, many of which<br />
were sponsored by the <strong>WWBA</strong>.<br />
I could never have attended as<br />
many if I had to attend them in<br />
person. The knowledge I have<br />
gained has enhanced the legal<br />
program I manage at<br />
Hope’s Door and benefitted the<br />
clients we serve.<br />
Q: Please tell us about your Legal<br />
Career.<br />
A: I graduated from Brooklyn<br />
Law School in 1996 and spent<br />
the first 17 years of my legal<br />
career as an Assistant District<br />
Attorney at the Kings County<br />
District Attorney’s Office. For<br />
most of my tenure, I worked in<br />
the Domestic Violence Bureau<br />
prosecuting misdemeanors and<br />
felonies, including assault,<br />
criminal contempt, rape, and<br />
homicide cases. After five<br />
years, I was promoted to Deputy<br />
Bureau Chief and was responsible<br />
for supervising the<br />
caseloads of new ADAs in<br />
Criminal Court. In 2009, my<br />
husband and I decided to move<br />
to Pound Ridge with our two<br />
young daughters. I commuted<br />
to Brooklyn for several years,<br />
and despite the two-hour trek<br />
each way, I was not ready to<br />
Stacey Neumann<br />
leave the job I loved and colleagues<br />
who had become<br />
like family, to look for something<br />
closer to home. After<br />
six years, however, I decided<br />
that the time spent traveling<br />
to and from was too much to<br />
continue. After I left the DA’s<br />
office, I was lucky to get an<br />
opportunity to start a legal<br />
program at Hope’s Door, an<br />
incredible nonprofit organization<br />
in Westchester that has<br />
been providing services to<br />
victims of domestic violence<br />
for over 40 years. In 2018,<br />
CarlLa Horton, Hope’s Door<br />
Executive Director, secured a<br />
five-year federal VOCA (Victims<br />
of Crime Act) grant<br />
award administered by NYS<br />
Office of Victim Services to<br />
fund a legal program and<br />
hired me to start Hope’s Door<br />
Legal Center. My dedicated<br />
staff, who were instrumental<br />
in establishing the foundation<br />
of the legal program,<br />
include Mia Pergolizzi, an<br />
attorney, and Brittany Miraldi,<br />
a paralegal who also attends<br />
Pace Law School. We are<br />
also fortunate to have volunteer<br />
attorneys and college<br />
and law school students assist<br />
us in our work. The<br />
continued on page 6 ➥<br />
Page 5
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○<br />
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○<br />
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○<br />
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○<br />
MAKING STRIDES OF WESTCHESTER <strong>2021</strong><br />
from page 1<br />
from 11-12. All walkers wore masks,<br />
and walkers were spread out over the<br />
entire course, rather than walking in one<br />
large group. Some walkers, including<br />
some members of Team Orbach,<br />
walked the route twice.<br />
One of the members of Team<br />
Orbach, when asked about the walk,<br />
responded, “It was great, the best part<br />
of it was that you get to see the people<br />
you love!” Many of those who walk with<br />
Team Orbach are breast cancer survivors,<br />
or are currently battling the disease,<br />
and the sense of camaraderie and<br />
support among them is always palpable.<br />
Among the walkers this year were<br />
Adrienne’s two young nephews, Jack<br />
and Matthew, who walked the route with<br />
energy and joy. This writer interviewed<br />
young Jack after the walk was done and<br />
a few of us were having lunch together.<br />
When asked, “Did you enjoy walking<br />
with Aunt Adrienne?” Jack simply nodded<br />
his head in a positive way. Then,<br />
when asked, “How is your sandwich?”<br />
he stopped chewing long enough to say<br />
“Very good.”<br />
According to the event organizers<br />
about 5000 walkers participated in the<br />
From left, Ilsa Klinghoffer, Lisa Smith, Deb<br />
Scalise, Adrienne Orbach<br />
Judge Smith interviewing Adrienne’s nephew,<br />
Jack<br />
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○<br />
<strong>2021</strong> event in Westchester. Between the<br />
Westchester event and a sister event that<br />
took place in Orange County, New York,<br />
approximately 1.15 million dollars was<br />
raised.<br />
As of this writing Team Orbach has<br />
raised $17,056, and is in a virtual threeway<br />
tie with two other teams (we are all<br />
within $700 of one another). Donations<br />
will be accepted until December 31,<br />
<strong>2021</strong>, and may be made by going to<br />
https://mobileacs.org/rgtvnr to make an<br />
online donation to the team. Team<br />
Orbach implores you to make a timely<br />
donation if you have not already done<br />
so, and to make a second donation if<br />
you have, so that we can move into sole<br />
possession of second place in fundraising<br />
this year (the first place team has more<br />
than double the donations of each of the<br />
next three teams, so we’re not aiming for<br />
first).<br />
Thanks to the support of so many,<br />
including tens of thousands of walkers<br />
across the country, the American Cancer<br />
Society is there for everyone in every<br />
community touched by breast cancer.<br />
ACS provides support to those who<br />
are currently dealing with a breast cancer<br />
continued on page 9 ➥<br />
An Interview with Stacey Neumann<br />
from page 5<br />
Covid-19 pandemic made<br />
the need for legal services for<br />
domestic violence victims<br />
even more crucial, and I<br />
hope to expand the program<br />
in the near future by securing<br />
additional funding to<br />
help more clients in need of<br />
our assistance. In addition<br />
to legal services, Hope’s<br />
Door provides residential and<br />
community services for victims<br />
of domestic violence and<br />
anyone in need of assistance<br />
should call our 24-Hour<br />
Hotline Number at 888-438-<br />
8700 or visit our website at<br />
www.hopesdoorny.org.<br />
Q: What advice do you have<br />
for new lawyers entering the<br />
profession?<br />
A: I would tell new lawyers that<br />
you should not be tied to one<br />
plan. Many people go to law<br />
school with a specific direction<br />
or field that they want to work in<br />
and that is exactly what they end<br />
up doing. For others like myself,<br />
I did not intend to do public<br />
service while I was in school,<br />
but through classes I took and<br />
internships I had, I landed at the<br />
DA’s office and have found a<br />
passion in the work that I do. It<br />
may seem difficult to change<br />
course once you start, but it is<br />
not impossible. The beauty of<br />
our field is there are so many<br />
different roles you can have with<br />
a law degree. Keep an open<br />
mind and keep learning and if<br />
you really want to, you can find<br />
a new door to open.<br />
Q: How have you balanced<br />
family responsibilities and your<br />
legal career?<br />
A: I became a Mom after I was<br />
working at the DA’s Office for<br />
seven years. I loved being a<br />
Prosecutor but I also wanted to<br />
be able to spend time at home<br />
with my daughter. I will be forever<br />
grateful to District Attorney<br />
Charles Hynes who permitted<br />
ADAs to work flexible schedules<br />
that allowed me to be home with<br />
my children and do the job I<br />
loved.<br />
Q: When you are not lawyering,<br />
which community activities<br />
and other interests do<br />
you pursue?<br />
A: When I am not working, I<br />
can often be found on the softball<br />
field cheering on my two<br />
daughters who play on tournament<br />
teams and are soon<br />
to be in college. I am also a<br />
Trustee on the Board at my<br />
synagogue, Shir Shalom, in<br />
Ridgefield, Connecticut. I<br />
love reading, running, and<br />
walking my dog Dallas with<br />
my husband Jordan, who is<br />
a huge Dallas Cowboy fan,<br />
hence the name. ◗<br />
Page 6<br />
Westchester Women’s Bar Association News
S A V E T H E D A T E<br />
Westchester Women’s Bar Association News<br />
Page 7
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○<br />
Chapter News and Announcements<br />
Announcements & Notes on Members<br />
❑ The Cuddy Law Firm is pleased to announce that Alison Morris<br />
has been named a Senior Attorney in the Westchester Office, a direct<br />
result of Alison’s hard work and dedication to those with special needs.<br />
Six years ago, Alison began working for the Cuddy Law Firm. Through<br />
the years, Alison has become such a crucial part of our team and the<br />
fabric of what our law firm is all about. Alison’s dedication is unmatched<br />
and we are proud to call her our own. Alison’s practice includes<br />
special education advocacy, assisting families behind the scenes and participating<br />
at their children’s individualized education program (IEP) and 504 Plan meetings,<br />
and she also assists clients in navigating the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities<br />
(OPWDD) system, including helping with OPWDD applications and ensuring<br />
appropriate services are provided. She also provides trainings, including CLEs, on topics<br />
of interest to both professionals and families on special education law, and she Co-<br />
Chairs both the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Disability Rights and the<br />
Westchester Women’s Bar Association’s Education Committee. Alison is also the very<br />
proud and dedicated older sister of an individual with special needs, which is where her<br />
passion and dedication to her practice and clients stems from.<br />
Alison is also an Adjunct Professor at Pace Law School, teaching a course entitled<br />
Law and Education. We congratulate Alison on her accomplishments and wish her<br />
nothing but success.<br />
❑ Prolific author Susan L. . Pollet<br />
ollet, former <strong>WWBA</strong> President, has<br />
published a book of short stories entitled, “Not So Surprise Endings,”<br />
which is available on Amazon. This collection explores how, why, and<br />
what happens when certain things end: What happens to the pastor<br />
who speaks ill of his dead wife? What does paradise turn into when it<br />
becomes something else? When do you know certain relationships<br />
are over? What does an obsession with youth produce? What does<br />
rudeness lead to? What happens when a Queen Bee misuses her<br />
power and stings? Can a person obsessed with perfectionism overcome<br />
it? Does your dog become a person to you, and how does that play out? Where<br />
does being selfish lead to? Who can a spoiled child turn into as an adult? When<br />
someone dies, do men and women grieve differently and does that matter in the end?<br />
While these questions are not necessarily interrelated, the common bond is that<br />
there are often consequences resulting from our behaviors and the actions of others,<br />
which can lead to surprising, and not so surprising, endings.<br />
Susan’s other titles, all available on Amazon, include: Grey Divorce: From Pain to<br />
Peace; Women in Crisis: Stories From The Edge; Through Walter’s Lens; Lessons in<br />
Survival: All About Amos (Available on Amazon #WritingCommunity); and Juliette<br />
Rose’s Dream of Becoming. ◗<br />
Employment Opportunity<br />
The Valhalla office of the Cuddy Law Firm, PLLC is looking to grow our team with an<br />
attorney to handle special education appeals in federal court including fee claims. The<br />
candidate must have at least one year of litigation experience in federal court and have<br />
experience drafting and filing federal court actions.<br />
A strong candidate must possess quality writing and oral advocacy skills. The candidate<br />
must have excellent organizational skills, be capable of navigating a fast-paced<br />
environment, and managing a substantial caseload.<br />
A demonstrated interest in and commitment to working with underserved families is<br />
preferred.<br />
There are also opportunities to work on administrative hearings and appeals focusing<br />
on special education matters. Salary is commensurate with experience. Please email<br />
resumes with a cover letter outlining experience to Adrienne Arkontaky, Esq. at<br />
aarkontaky@cuddylawfirm.com. No calls please. ◗<br />
Become a New<br />
Member Today<br />
RENEW YOUR<br />
<strong>WWBA</strong> MEMBERSHIP TODAY<br />
FOR THE PERIOD<br />
JUNE 1, <strong>2021</strong> TO MAY 31, 2022.<br />
RENEW NOW! DON’T WAIT!<br />
<strong>WWBA</strong> Membership includes<br />
membership to the Women’s Bar<br />
Association of the State of New York<br />
(WBASNY).<br />
January 31, <strong>2021</strong> is the closing date in<br />
order to count the <strong>WWBA</strong> members<br />
towards our certification to WBASNY and<br />
assure our number of delegates.<br />
Renewing before this date will allow our<br />
Westchester Chapter (<strong>WWBA</strong>) to continue<br />
to be a strong presence in our statewide<br />
organization (WBASNY) while you will<br />
enjoy its many benefits, events,<br />
newsletter and CLE programming.<br />
Hélène Côté, Sherry A. Bishko,<br />
Elisabeth Campos<br />
It is easy to renew by going to the<br />
<strong>WWBA</strong> Website at www.<strong>WWBA</strong>NY.org.<br />
You can use a credit card or<br />
PayPal to make payment.<br />
Page 8<br />
Westchester Women’s Bar Association News
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○<br />
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○<br />
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 />
Making Strides of Westchester<br />
from page 6<br />
diagnosis, those who may face<br />
diagnosis in the future, and<br />
those who may avoid a diagnosis<br />
altogether thanks to education<br />
and risk reduction. Many<br />
women have put off regular<br />
exams and mammograms during<br />
the pandemic, and as a result<br />
cancers that could have<br />
been detected early have been<br />
allowed to grow and present a<br />
greater health risk. If you are<br />
among those who have refrained<br />
from seeing your doctor,<br />
please delay no longer. Protect<br />
yourself by calling your<br />
medical provider for an immediate<br />
appointment. ◗<br />
President’s Message<br />
from page 3<br />
ported, and loved the stuffing out of me my entire life.<br />
I am grateful for my grandmother who, although I can no<br />
longer see her, is with me every day.<br />
I am grateful for Zoe, who is my (constant) companion and<br />
everything I never knew I needed.<br />
I am grateful for my circle of friends, who taught me that<br />
family isn’t always connected by blood.<br />
I am grateful for my memories of childhood Thanksgivings,<br />
where we gathered in Carmel, NY with old friends and extended<br />
family, going on nature walks, driving the tractor, playing board<br />
games, and working together on a mural to hang over the thismust-be-what-heaven-smells-like<br />
fireplace.<br />
I am grateful for traditions old and new, friends near and far,<br />
and the joy that this month represents. Specifically, though, I am<br />
grateful for each of you.<br />
“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they<br />
are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” –<br />
Marcel Proust ◗<br />
Westchester Women’s Bar Association News<br />
Page 9
<strong>WWBA</strong> Schedule of Upcoming Events<br />
COMMITTEE DATE/TIME PLACE TOPIC RSVP (also online at www.wwbany.org)<br />
<strong>WWBA</strong> Board of Directors<br />
and General Membership<br />
Meeting<br />
WBASNY Board of<br />
Directors Meeting<br />
11/03/21<br />
5:30 p.m. to 7:30<br />
p.m.<br />
11/13/21<br />
9:00 a.m. to 3:00<br />
p.m.<br />
<strong>WWBA</strong> Book Club 11/15/21<br />
6:00 p.m<br />
Real Property Meeting 11/16/21<br />
12:30 p.m<br />
Zoom<br />
Zoom<br />
Zoom or<br />
In-Person (Linda<br />
Markowitz’s residence)<br />
Myth Busting the Trans<br />
Sport Panic: The<br />
Imagined Crisis at the<br />
Top and the Ignored<br />
Crisis at the Bottom<br />
Presented by the<br />
Federal Bar<br />
Association, SDNY<br />
Chapter, and Co-<br />
Sponsored by the<br />
WBBA, WCBA and<br />
<strong>WWBA</strong><br />
1.5 CLE Credits in<br />
Professional Practice<br />
and Diversity (pending<br />
approval)<br />
Book: “Fahrenheit<br />
451” by Ray Bradbury<br />
See www.wwbany.org for details<br />
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/myth<br />
-busting-the-trans-sports-panictickets-194072605387<br />
See www.wwbany.org for details<br />
Email Lisa Denig to RSVP or for<br />
Zoom link at<br />
lisadenig@yahoo.com<br />
See www.wwbany.org for details<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>2021</strong>-2022 BEGINS ON JUNE 1, <strong>2021</strong>.<br />
PLEASE RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP TOD<br />
ODAY AT<br />
WWW.<strong>WWBA</strong>NY<br />
.<strong>WWBA</strong>NY.ORG<br />
.ORG