WWBA March 2022 Newsletter - M

Westchester Women’s Bar Association 

MARCH 2022 

WWBA 

news 

www.wwbany.org 

Title IX Sexual Harassment on College and 

University Campuses: The Swinging Pendulum 

of Protections and Processes 

Where Should the Pendulum Land? 

Julie P. Passman and Jill Oziemblewski 

A 

t the February 3, 2022 General Membership Meeting, WWBA Education 

Committee Co-Chairs Julie Passman, Alison Morris, and Susan Mills Richmond 

presented and moderated a CLE Zoom webinar entitled Title IX Sexual 

Harassment on College and University Campuses: The Swinging Pendulum of Protections 

and Processes. Where Should the Pendulum Land? 

Title IX is a federal civil rights law enacted in 1972, which prohibits sex discrimination 

in educational programs or activities receiving any type of federal financial aid. 

Three panelists, Julie Gaughran, Esq., Thomas McDonald, Esq. and Susan Carroll, 

Esq., provided a history of Title IX and discussed the shifting Title IX guidance and 

Regulations relating to sexual harassment on college and university campuses. Panelists 

provided attendees with information on the definitions of sexual assault, standards 

of proof, investigations, evidence, hearing procedures, cross-examination, and they 

shared their thoughts on the shifting pendulum of Title IX protections, as there have 

been changes between administrations. 

Mr. McDonald, Title IX Coordinator/Equity Compliance Specialist at Mercy College 

in Dobbs Ferry, opened the program with a history of Title IX. Initially, the law 

focused on equity in athletic programs, but over time its application broadened. In 

2011, the United States Department of Education issued policy guidance that Title IX 

offers protection to students against sexual harassment and sexual violence. He excontinued 

on page 4 ➥ 

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 

FEBRUARY 2022 

An Interview with 

Elizabeth Cummings 

(page 5) 

Westchester Women’s Bar 

Newest Members 

(page 7) 

President’s Crossword 

Puzzle 

(page 7) 

Upcoming Events 

(Page 8) 

SAVE THE DATE 

WWBA BOARD OF 

DIRECTORS MEETING 

March 2, 2022 

CRIMMIGATION LAW: 

PERSPECTIVES OF A 

JUDGE, A DISTRICT 

ATTORNEY, AND 

IMMIGRATION 

PRACTITIONERS 


WBASNY BOARD OF 

DIRECTORS MEETING 


WWBA BOOK CLUB 

April 4, 2022 

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News 

PRESIDENT’S 

MESSAGE 

“I was able to stand 

on the shoulders of 

those women who 

came before me, 

and women who 

came after me were 

able to stand on 

mine.” – Christine 

Darden 

Amanda C. Fried 

I have had the 

extraordinary privilege of being raised 

by strong, intelligent, talented, formidable, 

incredible women-women who 

taught me about the value of hard work 

and determination and the importance 

of creativity and friendship. And, given 

that March is Women’s History Month, 

this felt like an appropriate time to honor 

them. 

My great-grandmother, Sara, was 

a gifted seamstress and, if I’m being 

honest, made the best matzoh ball soup 

you’ve ever had. She fled from Europe, 

eventually making her way to Brooklyn. 

She never missed a day of work, and 

she lived in a fourth-floor walkup apartment 

in public housing for as long as I 

can remember. She taught me about 

the expression of love through acts of 

service, and she was living proof that a 

kind heart and strong work ethic were 

the keys to building a happy life. 

Her daughter, my grandma 

Frances, was one of the most beautiful 

women I’ve ever known, inside and out. 

She was a beauty queen, a brilliant artist, 

and a trusted confidant for anyone 

who had the pleasure of meeting her. 

Although she prioritized the responsibilities 

of marriage over the dream of a 

continued 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 

MARCH 2022 

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 2022 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 

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 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 

“To those on whose 

shoulders I firmly 

stand – family, 

mentors, and 

friends – thank you 

with all that I am.” 

career in design and she had no more than 

a high school diploma, her two daughters 

and one granddaughter each became attorneys, 

a testament to her unwavering 

support. She taught me about the importance 

of laughter and the worth of friends 

who become family. 

Her eldest daughter is my mother, 

Robin, whose name symbolizes hope. To 

list everything that my mother is would take 

more space than I am granted in this column, 

so I will say only this – she taught 

me about the value of perseverance, education, 

devotion, kindness, responsibility, 

empathy, belief, and the power of a hot 

cup of coffee. Everything I am, I owe to 

her. 

I am named after my father’s mother, 

Annie, who passed away before I was born. 

Although she did not have a direct hand 

in raising me, my namesake is a reminder 

to me that, with each step forward in life, I 

am dependent on the labor, hardships, 

and accomplishments of generations underneath 

me. Nothing that I achieve in 

this lifetime is mine alone, just as any 

progress that we have made in our wonderful 

organization this year is built on the 

backs of our WWBA mothers. 

Every March, we take time to pause 

and honor women’s contribution to history, 

but I would also like to pay tribute to 

their contributions to our individual lives, 

giving each of us the wings to be worthy of 

joining their remarkable ranks. To those 

on whose shoulders I firmly stand – family, 

mentors, and friends – thank you with all 

that I am. 

And to those who stand beside me, I 

raise my glass in sisterhood: 

“Here’s to strong women. May we know 

them. May we be them. May we raise 

them.” – Unknown ◗ 

Editor’s Note 

“While democracy, in the long run, is the most stable form of government, in the 

short run, it is among the most fragile.” 

~ Madeleine Albright 

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 

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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. 


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Title IX Sexual Harassment on College and University Campuses 

basic principles of fairness and due process 

where there are serious repercussions 

for the accused. The rights now extended 

to respondents are analogous to the 6th 

Amendment right to counsel and the the 

right to confront one's accuser by crossexamination. 

Ms. Carroll, Director of Training, 

Outreach and Education at Pace Women's 

Justice Center, then discussed concurrent 

assistance in Family and Criminal Court 

for Title IX petitioners. Of note, Ms. Carroll 

is the training coordinator and attorney liaison 

for sexual assault victims and domestic 

violence victims in a grant involving 

several colleges in Westchester County, 

providing information, guidance and representation 

in Title IX matters. She explained 

the scope of jurisdiction, definition of terms, 

environment, burdens of proof, and the 

benefits of moving forward in both Family 

Court and Criminal Court. 

The latter part of the program featured 

two fact patterns. Panelists were presented 

with scenarios drawn from actual Title IX 

sexual harassment matters: one address- 


from page 1 

plained that in 2013, the Office for Civil 

Rights (OCR) issued a Dear Colleague 

Letter (DCL) reminding schools that retaliation 

for filing a Title IX complaint is against 

the law. And in 2015, OCR issued a DCL 

addressing the need for schools receiving 

Title IV funds to have at least one Title IX 

Coordinator. 

Mr. McDonald examined the shifting 

of policy from the Obama-Biden administration 

to Trump-Pence administration to 

our current administration. Many people 

saw the Obama-Biden guidance as removing 

barriers towards reporting and strengthening 

the rights of the complainant. Others 

saw this guidance as an administrative 

overreach that weakened the due process 

rights of respondents. Under the Trump- 

Pence administration, on May 6, 2020, the 

U.S. Department of Education issued new 

Title IX regulations spearheaded by then 

Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. These 

new regulations were designed, in part, to 

strengthen the due process rights of respondents. 

Some people felt the new regulations 

provided much needed protections 

for respondents, while others felt the regulations 

would have a chilling effect on reporting 

of sexual harassment. Unlike 

Obama-Biden guidance, the new regulations 

have the impact of law. Schools were 

given until August 14, 2020 to implement 

the new regulations, which were over 2,300 

pages in length. 

Next, Ms. Gaughran, a partner in the 

law firm of Asher Gaughran P.C., provided 

a compelling personal and historical context 

about life on a college campus shortly 

after Title IX was enacted, yet before Title IX 

was utilized in sexual misconduct matters. 

She described her experiences on a college 

campus, presumably typical of that 

era, which lacked resources for woman 

who were sexually harassed. As part of 

Ms. Gaughran’s law practice, which focuses 

on education law issues and special 

education advocacy, Ms. Gaughran represents 

college students defending against 

Title IX claims. She discussed significant 

changes to the procedures in litigating Title 

IX cases after the Betsy DeVos Title IX Regulations 

were implemented, and she highlighted 

the importance of conforming to 

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An Interview with Elizabeth Cumming 

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 when 

I was hired at Glassman & 

Brown, LLP as an associate 

attorney. I attended numerous 

WWBA CLE programs in 

addition to lunch and learn 

programs over the years but 

did not become actively involved 

until I was asked to 

serve as Co-Chair of the Elder 

law and Reproductive 

Rights Committee by my colleague 

Pat Angley. 

Pat and I hosted many 

CLE programs, in addition to 

a number of lunch and learn 

programs, while serving as 

Co-Chairs. When Pat resigned, 

I asked my friend and 

colleague, Moira Laidlaw, to 

serve with me. Moira and I 

continue to discuss upcoming 

issues in our areas of 

practice, and we host and 

participate in CLE programs 

and presentations in elder 

law, guardianship, trust and 

estate planning and administration 

as well as Medicaid 

planning. I love the collegial 

collaboration that accompanies 

serving on the 

Committee. I look forward 

to continuing to serve. 

Q: Which activities and positions 

of the WWBA have 

you participated in? 

A: I serve as Co-Chair of the 

Elder Law and Reproductive 

Rights Committee. I have 

participated and served as a 

mentor in the mentoring program 

developed by the 

WWBA. I am also a Board 

Member of the Westchester 

Women’s Bar Association 

Foundation. 

“Graduating from law school does 

not end a lawyer’s affinity for 

study groups and brainstorming! 

If you can’t find a study group 

that’s open to new members, 

start one yourself!” 

Q: What would you like to see 

the WWBA accomplish in the 

future? 

A: To continue to reach out to 

and include members of the bar 

who may be solo practitioners 

or associates in law firms who 

may not have the time to invest 

in committees or other positions 

but who would undoubtedly 

add value to the WWBA by 

becoming members. I think it 

would be helpful to develop 

programs where members can 

meet to exchange ideas and 

discuss upcoming issues in 

specified areas of the law. 

Q: Please tell us about your 

legal career. 

A: I went to law school as a 

single mother of three young 

daughters while working full 

time in a pain management 

practice. As background, I had 

divorced a bit earlier when my 

youngest was three and I 

worked two jobs during those 

early years after my divorce to 

support my children. 

Once my daughters were 

a bit older, I discussed with 

them my desire to attend college 

to earn my degree to find 

a different career path. We 

talked about some of the sacrifices 

that would accompany this 

endeavor and we all agreed to 

do our best and to communicate 

honestly during the process. 

I was able to work out 

the details with help from my 

mom, who was available to 

help with babysitting and occasional 

meal prep. I also had 

two lifelong friends who helped 

with my daughters’ transportation 

needs to school team functions 

on weekends that I was 

scheduled to be in class. 

With all of these resources 

in place, I was able to work full 

time during the week and attend 

classes eight weekends a 

semester at Marymount College 

of Fordham University, where I 

graduated with a Bachelor of 

Science Degree in Business, 

summa cum laude, in four 

years’ time. 

During my last year of college, 

my interest in the practice 

of law peaked when I was preparing 

an oral argument for a 

humanities class. During and 

after my presentation, I realized 

a good argument can change 

an opinion, a decision or even 

an outcome. I wanted to make 

a difference and with that in 

mind, I took the LSAT and applied 

to Pace University School 

of Law, where I was accepted 

into the incoming 2001 

evening program. 

During my years at Pace, I 

took a class in the Disability 

Rights Clinic for school credit 

and thereafter, I volunteered for 

two more semesters because I 

found the work fulfilling and 

meaningful. To gain legal work 

experience, I took every summer 

off during law school from 

Elizabeth Cumming 

my paying job. I volunteered 

at Bronx Legal Services, 

where I assisted attorneys with 

guardianship and Medicaid 

planning, and during my last 

summer in law school, I 

worked at the Office of the 

New York State Attorney 

General’s office in New York 

City. 

I graduated law school 

in 2005, cum laude, took the 

bar exam that July and after 

being admitted in early 2006, 

I was hired as a part-time associate 

at Glassman & 

Brown, LLP. I continued to 

work my full time job in addition 

to my part time position 

until the summer of 

2007, when I became a full 

time associate at Glassman 

& Brown, LLP. I became a 

partner in January 2015. 

Generally, I represent 

clients in matters involving 

elder law, guardianship, disability, 

and Medicaid planning 

issues in addition to estate 

and trust planning and 

administration and real estate 

transactions, both residential 

and commercial. I 

also serve in court-appointed 

assignments such as Court 

Evaluator, Guardian ad 



Page 5

Title IX Sexual Harassment on College and 

University Campuses 

from page 4 

ing issues of consent to sexual activity where Students A and B were intoxicated; and 

other where Student C, a college student on the Autism spectrum struggling to understand 

social cues, sent an unrelenting stream of text messages to Student D, who felt 

harassed by the messages. Panelists identified and analyzed the issues in the sexual 

harassment claims outlined in the fact patterns and provided their insights on the 

application of Title IX. 

The program was very well received and provided participants with 1.0 CLE credit 

in Diversity, Inclusion and Elimination of Bias and 1.0 CLE credit in Professional Practice. 

Attendees were provided with written materials, including panelists' PowerPoint 

presentations. The program was recorded for future use by WBASNY. Attendees are 

well-equipped to follow the evolution of Title IX sexual harassment as the Biden administration 

continues to change the landscape. ◗ 

An Interview with 

Elizabeth Cumming 

from page 5 

Litem and Attorney for Alleged Incapacitated Persons. And some of the people I 

knew from the pain management practice are now my clients! 

Q: What advice do you have for new lawyers entering the profession? 

A: I think it’s very important to network with colleagues who practice in your area of 

law. Important, too, is finding a mentor who can help you master the skills needed 

to succeed as an attorney. Don’t forget to give back, perhaps serving as a mentor 

yourself once you are able to share your experience. Help a colleague who may be 

starting out or just re-entering the work force. The practice of law is much more 

enjoyable when it’s accompanied by collegiality. 

It’s important to attend CLE programs in your chosen area of practice and if 

possible, find a study group. Graduating from law school does not end a lawyer’s 

affinity for study groups and brainstorming! I am still very close friends with my law 

school study group members. If you can’t find a study group that’s open to new 

members, start one yourself! I host an elder law study group in White Plains and 

the members of our group have become treasured colleagues. 

Make yourself available to speak on subjects you feel confident addressing, 

either formally for CLE credit, or informally, at temples, libraries, and other community 

groups. Surround yourself with people who share your values and ethics. 

Finally, don’t forget to take time for yourself to unwind, disconnect from work and 

connect and play with family and friends because career burnout is real. 

Q: How have you balanced family responsibilities and your legal career? 

A: I haven’t always been successful in keeping work and life balanced as there are 

times where family or career demands more attention. I found it worked best if 

everyone felt heard and validated. There’s strength in collaboration. 

Q: When you are not lawyering, which community activities and other interests 

do you pursue? 

A: I love to cook, garden, take art classes and spend time with my three daughters, 

who now have their own careers and families. I love to play street hockey and 

basketball with my grandson Abe; listen to my grandson Jay write and play his own 

music and I like to ride bikes and draw with my granddaughter Abi. We all read 

voraciously. And post COVID, I hope to travel again someday with my friends. ◗ 

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 6 


○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 

Westchester Women’s Bar Association New Members 

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

JULIA D. . CORNACHIO 

CHIO, , ESQ. 

827 State Route 82 

Suite 10-192 

Hopewell Junction, NY 12533 

julia@juliacornachiolaw.com 

CHRISTINE J. . KLEIN, , ESQ. 

245 Saw Mill River Road, Suite 106 

Hawthorne, NY 10532 

christinekleinlaw@gmail.com 

 

BRITTANY MIRALDI 

Student 

DIANN PENA 

Student 

JULIA PESCHETTI 

Student 

MAUREEN A. SOCKETT, , ESQ. 

126 Brush Hollow Crescent 

Rye Brook, NY 10573 

maureensockett1@verizon.net 

WWBA PRESIDENT’S CROSSWORD 

This crossword puzzle, 

once again created by our 

President, Amanda C. Fried, 

shines a spotlight on some great 

women in history in honor of 

Women’s History Month. The 

answers are printed on the 

back page. 

ACROSS 

2. “The most difficult thing is 

the decision to act; the rest is 

merely tenacity.” – Amelia 

__________ 

6. “If there’s one thing I’ve 

learned in life, it’s the power of 

using your voice.” – Michelle 

__________ 

8. “If you were born with the 

weakness to fall, you were born 

with the strength to rise.” – __________ Kaur 

9. “A feminist is anyone who recognizes the equality and full 

humanity of women and men.” – Gloria ___________ 

10. “The older I get, the greater power I seem to have to help 

the world; I am like a snowball – the further I am rolled the 

more I gain.” Susan B. __________ 

DOWN 

1. “We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced.” – __________Yousafzai 

3. “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” – Eleanor __________ 

4. “Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.” – Nora __________ 

5. “Amazing things happen when women help other women.” – Kasia __________ 

7. “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” – __________ Nin 

11. “Know what sparks the light in you so that you, in your own way, can illuminate the world.” – 

__________ Winfrey 

YVONNE ST. . JOHN, , ESQ. 

RACHEL STEINHARDT, , ESQ. 

EMILY WINOGRAD 

LEONARD, , ESQ. 

The Legal Aid Society 

260 East 161st Street, 10th floor 

Bronx, NY 10451 

Ewinogradleonard@legal-aid.org 

 


Page 7

WWBA Schedule of Upcoming Events 

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

WWBA Board of Directors 

Meeting 

WWBA Immigration Ad 

Hoc and Grievance/ 

Ethics Committees 

3/02/22 

5:30 p.m. 

3/10/22 

12:20 p.m. to 

2:00 p.m. 

Zoom 

Zoom 

Crimmigration Law: 

Perspectives of a Judge, 

a District Attorney, and 

Immigration 

Practitioners – 2.0 CLE 

Credits (1.0 

Professional Practice 

and 1.0 Ethics and 

Professionalism) 

Cost: 

$10.00 WWBA Members; $20.00 

Non-Members 

RSVP by 4:00 p.m. on 3/08/22 

online at www.wwbany.org or 

email 

:executivedirector@wwbany.org 

Three panelists will 

discuss the intersection 

of criminal law and 

immigration law, 

providing non-experts 

an education in the 

immigration 

consequences of a 

criminal conviction and 

an attorney’s ethical 

obligations to his or her 

client in connection 

with such a conviction. 

WBASNY Board of 

Directors Meeting 

3/19/22 

9:00 a.m. to 3:00 

p.m. 

WWBA Book Club 4/04/22 

6:00 p.m. 

In Person (White Plains) 

or Zoom 

Moderator: Elizabeth 

Lilly Tonne-Daims, 

Esq., Neighbors Link, 

Senior Staff Attorney 

Book Selection “The 

Personal Librarian” by 

Marie Benedict and 

Victoria Christopher 

Murray 

Email Lisa Denig to RSVP or for 

the 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. 

Answers to the WWBA Crossword Puzzle printed on Page 7: 

1. Malala 2. Earhart 3. Roosevelt 4. Ephron 5. Gospos 6. Obama 7. Anais 8. Rupi 9. Steinem 10. Anthony 11. Oprah 

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 March 2022 Newsletter - M

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