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Westchester Women’s Bar Association<br />

MARCH <strong>2022</strong><br />

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

news<br />

www.wwbany.org<br />

Title IX Sexual Harassment on College and<br />

University Campuses: The Swinging Pendulum<br />

of Protections and Processes<br />

Where Should the Pendulum Land?<br />

Julie P. Passman and Jill Oziemblewski<br />

A<br />

t the February 3, <strong>2022</strong> General Membership Meeting, <strong>WWBA</strong> Education<br />

Committee Co-Chairs Julie Passman, Alison Morris, and Susan Mills Richmond<br />

presented and moderated a CLE Zoom webinar entitled Title IX Sexual<br />

Harassment on College and University Campuses: The Swinging Pendulum of Protections<br />

and Processes. Where Should the Pendulum Land?<br />

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

in educational programs or activities receiving any type of federal financial aid.<br />

Three panelists, Julie Gaughran, Esq., Thomas McDonald, Esq. and Susan Carroll,<br />

Esq., provided a history of Title IX and discussed the shifting Title IX guidance and<br />

Regulations relating to sexual harassment on college and university campuses. Panelists<br />

provided attendees with information on the definitions of sexual assault, standards<br />

of proof, investigations, evidence, hearing procedures, cross-examination, and they<br />

shared their thoughts on the shifting pendulum of Title IX protections, as there have<br />

been changes between administrations.<br />

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

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

focused on equity in athletic programs, but over time its application broadened. In<br />

2011, the United States Department of Education issued policy guidance that Title IX<br />

offers protection to students against sexual harassment and sexual violence. He excontinued<br />

on page 4 ➥<br />

INSIDE THIS ISSUE<br />

FEBRUARY <strong>2022</strong><br />

An Interview with<br />

Elizabeth Cummings<br />

(page 5)<br />

Westchester Women’s Bar<br />

Newest Members<br />

(page 7)<br />

President’s Crossword<br />

Puzzle<br />

(page 7)<br />

Upcoming Events<br />

(Page 8)<br />

SAVE THE DATE<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> BOARD OF<br />

DIRECTORS MEETING<br />

<strong>March</strong> 2, <strong>2022</strong><br />

CRIMMIGATION LAW:<br />

PERSPECTIVES OF A<br />

JUDGE, A DISTRICT<br />

ATTORNEY, AND<br />

IMMIGRATION<br />

PRACTITIONERS<br />

<strong>March</strong> 10, <strong>2022</strong><br />

WBASNY BOARD OF<br />

DIRECTORS MEETING<br />

<strong>March</strong> 19, <strong>2022</strong><br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> BOOK CLUB<br />

April 4, <strong>2022</strong><br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News<br />

PRESIDENT’S<br />

MESSAGE<br />

“I was able to stand<br />

on the shoulders of<br />

those women who<br />

came before me,<br />

and women who<br />

came after me were<br />

able to stand on<br />

mine.” – Christine<br />

Darden<br />

Amanda C. Fried<br />

I have had the<br />

extraordinary privilege of being raised<br />

by strong, intelligent, talented, formidable,<br />

incredible women-women who<br />

taught me about the value of hard work<br />

and determination and the importance<br />

of creativity and friendship. And, given<br />

that <strong>March</strong> is Women’s History Month,<br />

this felt like an appropriate time to honor<br />

them.<br />

My great-grandmother, Sara, was<br />

a gifted seamstress and, if I’m being<br />

honest, made the best matzoh ball soup<br />

you’ve ever had. She fled from Europe,<br />

eventually making her way to Brooklyn.<br />

She never missed a day of work, and<br />

she lived in a fourth-floor walkup apartment<br />

in public housing for as long as I<br />

can remember. She taught me about<br />

the expression of love through acts of<br />

service, and she was living proof that a<br />

kind heart and strong work ethic were<br />

the keys to building a happy life.<br />

Her daughter, my grandma<br />

Frances, was one of the most beautiful<br />

women I’ve ever known, inside and out.<br />

She was a beauty queen, a brilliant artist,<br />

and a trusted confidant for anyone<br />

who had the pleasure of meeting her.<br />

Although she prioritized the responsibilities<br />

of marriage over the dream of a<br />

continued on page 3 ➥<br />

Page 1<br />

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


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

MARCH <strong>2022</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 />

~ 2021/<strong>2022</strong> 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>2022</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 />

2021-<strong>2022</strong> <strong>WWBA</strong> Committee Chairs<br />

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

By-Laws ............................................................................... 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


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President’s Message<br />

from page 1<br />

“To those on whose<br />

shoulders I firmly<br />

stand – family,<br />

mentors, and<br />

friends – thank you<br />

with all that I am.”<br />

career in design and she had no more than<br />

a high school diploma, her two daughters<br />

and one granddaughter each became attorneys,<br />

a testament to her unwavering<br />

support. She taught me about the importance<br />

of laughter and the worth of friends<br />

who become family.<br />

Her eldest daughter is my mother,<br />

Robin, whose name symbolizes hope. To<br />

list everything that my mother is would take<br />

more space than I am granted in this column,<br />

so I will say only this – she taught<br />

me about the value of perseverance, education,<br />

devotion, kindness, responsibility,<br />

empathy, belief, and the power of a hot<br />

cup of coffee. Everything I am, I owe to<br />

her.<br />

I am named after my father’s mother,<br />

Annie, who passed away before I was born.<br />

Although she did not have a direct hand<br />

in raising me, my namesake is a reminder<br />

to me that, with each step forward in life, I<br />

am dependent on the labor, hardships,<br />

and accomplishments of generations underneath<br />

me. Nothing that I achieve in<br />

this lifetime is mine alone, just as any<br />

progress that we have made in our wonderful<br />

organization this year is built on the<br />

backs of our <strong>WWBA</strong> mothers.<br />

Every <strong>March</strong>, we take time to pause<br />

and honor women’s contribution to history,<br />

but I would also like to pay tribute to<br />

their contributions to our individual lives,<br />

giving each of us the wings to be worthy of<br />

joining their remarkable ranks. To those<br />

on whose shoulders I firmly stand – family,<br />

mentors, and friends – thank you with all<br />

that I am.<br />

And to those who stand beside me, I<br />

raise my glass in sisterhood:<br />

“Here’s to strong women. May we know<br />

them. May we be them. May we raise<br />

them.” – Unknown ◗<br />

Editor’s Note<br />

“While democracy, in the long run, is the most stable form of government, in the<br />

short run, it is among the most fragile.”<br />

~ Madeleine Albright<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 />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News<br />

Page 3


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Title IX Sexual Harassment on College and University Campuses<br />

basic principles of fairness and due process<br />

where there are serious repercussions<br />

for the accused. The rights now extended<br />

to respondents are analogous to the 6th<br />

Amendment right to counsel and the the<br />

right to confront one's accuser by crossexamination.<br />

Ms. Carroll, Director of Training,<br />

Outreach and Education at Pace Women's<br />

Justice Center, then discussed concurrent<br />

assistance in Family and Criminal Court<br />

for Title IX petitioners. Of note, Ms. Carroll<br />

is the training coordinator and attorney liaison<br />

for sexual assault victims and domestic<br />

violence victims in a grant involving<br />

several colleges in Westchester County,<br />

providing information, guidance and representation<br />

in Title IX matters. She explained<br />

the scope of jurisdiction, definition of terms,<br />

environment, burdens of proof, and the<br />

benefits of moving forward in both Family<br />

Court and Criminal Court.<br />

The latter part of the program featured<br />

two fact patterns. Panelists were presented<br />

with scenarios drawn from actual Title IX<br />

sexual harassment matters: one address-<br />

continued on page 6 ➥<br />

from page 1<br />

plained that in 2013, the Office for Civil<br />

Rights (OCR) issued a Dear Colleague<br />

Letter (DCL) reminding schools that retaliation<br />

for filing a Title IX complaint is against<br />

the law. And in 2015, OCR issued a DCL<br />

addressing the need for schools receiving<br />

Title IV funds to have at least one Title IX<br />

Coordinator.<br />

Mr. McDonald examined the shifting<br />

of policy from the Obama-Biden administration<br />

to Trump-Pence administration to<br />

our current administration. Many people<br />

saw the Obama-Biden guidance as removing<br />

barriers towards reporting and strengthening<br />

the rights of the complainant. Others<br />

saw this guidance as an administrative<br />

overreach that weakened the due process<br />

rights of respondents. Under the Trump-<br />

Pence administration, on May 6, 2020, the<br />

U.S. Department of Education issued new<br />

Title IX regulations spearheaded by then<br />

Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. These<br />

new regulations were designed, in part, to<br />

strengthen the due process rights of respondents.<br />

Some people felt the new regulations<br />

provided much needed protections<br />

for respondents, while others felt the regulations<br />

would have a chilling effect on reporting<br />

of sexual harassment. Unlike<br />

Obama-Biden guidance, the new regulations<br />

have the impact of law. Schools were<br />

given until August 14, 2020 to implement<br />

the new regulations, which were over 2,300<br />

pages in length.<br />

Next, Ms. Gaughran, a partner in the<br />

law firm of Asher Gaughran P.C., provided<br />

a compelling personal and historical context<br />

about life on a college campus shortly<br />

after Title IX was enacted, yet before Title IX<br />

was utilized in sexual misconduct matters.<br />

She described her experiences on a college<br />

campus, presumably typical of that<br />

era, which lacked resources for woman<br />

who were sexually harassed. As part of<br />

Ms. Gaughran’s law practice, which focuses<br />

on education law issues and special<br />

education advocacy, Ms. Gaughran represents<br />

college students defending against<br />

Title IX claims. She discussed significant<br />

changes to the procedures in litigating Title<br />

IX cases after the Betsy DeVos Title IX Regulations<br />

were implemented, and she highlighted<br />

the importance of conforming to<br />

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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


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An Interview with Elizabeth Cumming<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> when<br />

I was hired at Glassman &<br />

Brown, LLP as an associate<br />

attorney. I attended numerous<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> CLE programs in<br />

addition to lunch and learn<br />

programs over the years but<br />

did not become actively involved<br />

until I was asked to<br />

serve as Co-Chair of the Elder<br />

law and Reproductive<br />

Rights Committee by my colleague<br />

Pat Angley.<br />

Pat and I hosted many<br />

CLE programs, in addition to<br />

a number of lunch and learn<br />

programs, while serving as<br />

Co-Chairs. When Pat resigned,<br />

I asked my friend and<br />

colleague, Moira Laidlaw, to<br />

serve with me. Moira and I<br />

continue to discuss upcoming<br />

issues in our areas of<br />

practice, and we host and<br />

participate in CLE programs<br />

and presentations in elder<br />

law, guardianship, trust and<br />

estate planning and administration<br />

as well as Medicaid<br />

planning. I love the collegial<br />

collaboration that accompanies<br />

serving on the<br />

Committee. I look forward<br />

to continuing to serve.<br />

Q: Which activities and positions<br />

of the <strong>WWBA</strong> have<br />

you participated in?<br />

A: I serve as Co-Chair of the<br />

Elder Law and Reproductive<br />

Rights Committee. I have<br />

participated and served as a<br />

mentor in the mentoring program<br />

developed by the<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong>. I am also a Board<br />

Member of the Westchester<br />

Women’s Bar Association<br />

Foundation.<br />

“Graduating from law school does<br />

not end a lawyer’s affinity for<br />

study groups and brainstorming!<br />

If you can’t find a study group<br />

that’s open to new members,<br />

start one yourself!”<br />

Q: What would you like to see<br />

the <strong>WWBA</strong> accomplish in the<br />

future?<br />

A: To continue to reach out to<br />

and include members of the bar<br />

who may be solo practitioners<br />

or associates in law firms who<br />

may not have the time to invest<br />

in committees or other positions<br />

but who would undoubtedly<br />

add value to the <strong>WWBA</strong> by<br />

becoming members. I think it<br />

would be helpful to develop<br />

programs where members can<br />

meet to exchange ideas and<br />

discuss upcoming issues in<br />

specified areas of the law.<br />

Q: Please tell us about your<br />

legal career.<br />

A: I went to law school as a<br />

single mother of three young<br />

daughters while working full<br />

time in a pain management<br />

practice. As background, I had<br />

divorced a bit earlier when my<br />

youngest was three and I<br />

worked two jobs during those<br />

early years after my divorce to<br />

support my children.<br />

Once my daughters were<br />

a bit older, I discussed with<br />

them my desire to attend college<br />

to earn my degree to find<br />

a different career path. We<br />

talked about some of the sacrifices<br />

that would accompany this<br />

endeavor and we all agreed to<br />

do our best and to communicate<br />

honestly during the process.<br />

I was able to work out<br />

the details with help from my<br />

mom, who was available to<br />

help with babysitting and occasional<br />

meal prep. I also had<br />

two lifelong friends who helped<br />

with my daughters’ transportation<br />

needs to school team functions<br />

on weekends that I was<br />

scheduled to be in class.<br />

With all of these resources<br />

in place, I was able to work full<br />

time during the week and attend<br />

classes eight weekends a<br />

semester at Marymount College<br />

of Fordham University, where I<br />

graduated with a Bachelor of<br />

Science Degree in Business,<br />

summa cum laude, in four<br />

years’ time.<br />

During my last year of college,<br />

my interest in the practice<br />

of law peaked when I was preparing<br />

an oral argument for a<br />

humanities class. During and<br />

after my presentation, I realized<br />

a good argument can change<br />

an opinion, a decision or even<br />

an outcome. I wanted to make<br />

a difference and with that in<br />

mind, I took the LSAT and applied<br />

to Pace University School<br />

of Law, where I was accepted<br />

into the incoming 2001<br />

evening program.<br />

During my years at Pace, I<br />

took a class in the Disability<br />

Rights Clinic for school credit<br />

and thereafter, I volunteered for<br />

two more semesters because I<br />

found the work fulfilling and<br />

meaningful. To gain legal work<br />

experience, I took every summer<br />

off during law school from<br />

Elizabeth Cumming<br />

my paying job. I volunteered<br />

at Bronx Legal Services,<br />

where I assisted attorneys with<br />

guardianship and Medicaid<br />

planning, and during my last<br />

summer in law school, I<br />

worked at the Office of the<br />

New York State Attorney<br />

General’s office in New York<br />

City.<br />

I graduated law school<br />

in 2005, cum laude, took the<br />

bar exam that July and after<br />

being admitted in early 2006,<br />

I was hired as a part-time associate<br />

at Glassman &<br />

Brown, LLP. I continued to<br />

work my full time job in addition<br />

to my part time position<br />

until the summer of<br />

2007, when I became a full<br />

time associate at Glassman<br />

& Brown, LLP. I became a<br />

partner in January 2015.<br />

Generally, I represent<br />

clients in matters involving<br />

elder law, guardianship, disability,<br />

and Medicaid planning<br />

issues in addition to estate<br />

and trust planning and<br />

administration and real estate<br />

transactions, both residential<br />

and commercial. I<br />

also serve in court-appointed<br />

assignments such as Court<br />

Evaluator, Guardian ad<br />

continued on page 7 ➥<br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News<br />

Page 5


Title IX Sexual Harassment on College and<br />

University Campuses<br />

from page 4<br />

ing issues of consent to sexual activity where Students A and B were intoxicated; and<br />

other where Student C, a college student on the Autism spectrum struggling to understand<br />

social cues, sent an unrelenting stream of text messages to Student D, who felt<br />

harassed by the messages. Panelists identified and analyzed the issues in the sexual<br />

harassment claims outlined in the fact patterns and provided their insights on the<br />

application of Title IX.<br />

The program was very well received and provided participants with 1.0 CLE credit<br />

in Diversity, Inclusion and Elimination of Bias and 1.0 CLE credit in Professional Practice.<br />

Attendees were provided with written materials, including panelists' PowerPoint<br />

presentations. The program was recorded for future use by WBASNY. Attendees are<br />

well-equipped to follow the evolution of Title IX sexual harassment as the Biden administration<br />

continues to change the landscape. ◗<br />

An Interview with<br />

Elizabeth Cumming<br />

from page 5<br />

Litem and Attorney for Alleged Incapacitated Persons. And some of the people I<br />

knew from the pain management practice are now my clients!<br />

Q: What advice do you have for new lawyers entering the profession?<br />

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

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

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

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

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

enjoyable when it’s accompanied by collegiality.<br />

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

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

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

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

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

the members of our group have become treasured colleagues.<br />

Make yourself available to speak on subjects you feel confident addressing,<br />

either formally for CLE credit, or informally, at temples, libraries, and other community<br />

groups. Surround yourself with people who share your values and ethics.<br />

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

connect and play with family and friends because career burnout is real.<br />

Q: How have you balanced family responsibilities and your legal career?<br />

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

times where family or career demands more attention. I found it worked best if<br />

everyone felt heard and validated. There’s strength in collaboration.<br />

Q: When you are not lawyering, which community activities and other interests<br />

do you pursue?<br />

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

who now have their own careers and families. I love to play street hockey and<br />

basketball with my grandson Abe; listen to my grandson Jay write and play his own<br />

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

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

Become a New<br />

Member Today<br />

RENEW YOUR<br />

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

FOR THE PERIOD<br />

JUNE 1, 2021 TO MAY 31, <strong>2022</strong>.<br />

RENEW NOW! DON’T WAIT!<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> Membership includes<br />

membership to the Women’s Bar<br />

Association of the State of New York<br />

(WBASNY).<br />

January 31, 2021 is the closing date in<br />

order to count the <strong>WWBA</strong> members<br />

towards our certification to WBASNY and<br />

assure our number of delegates.<br />

Renewing before this date will allow our<br />

Westchester Chapter (<strong>WWBA</strong>) to continue<br />

to be a strong presence in our statewide<br />

organization (WBASNY) while you will<br />

enjoy its many benefits, events,<br />

newsletter and CLE programming.<br />

Hélène Côté, Sherry A. Bishko,<br />

Elisabeth Campos<br />

It is easy to renew by going to the<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> Website at www.<strong>WWBA</strong>NY.org.<br />

You can use a credit card or<br />

PayPal to make payment.<br />

Page 6<br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News


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 />

<strong>WWBA</strong> PRESIDENT’S CROSSWORD<br />

This crossword puzzle,<br />

once again created by our<br />

President, Amanda C. Fried,<br />

shines a spotlight on some great<br />

women in history in honor of<br />

Women’s History Month. The<br />

answers are printed on the<br />

back page.<br />

ACROSS<br />

2. “The most difficult thing is<br />

the decision to act; the rest is<br />

merely tenacity.” – Amelia<br />

__________<br />

6. “If there’s one thing I’ve<br />

learned in life, it’s the power of<br />

using your voice.” – Michelle<br />

__________<br />

8. “If you were born with the<br />

weakness to fall, you were born<br />

with the strength to rise.” – __________ Kaur<br />

9. “A feminist is anyone who recognizes the equality and full<br />

humanity of women and men.” – Gloria ___________<br />

10. “The older I get, the greater power I seem to have to help<br />

the world; I am like a snowball – the further I am rolled the<br />

more I gain.” Susan B. __________<br />

DOWN<br />

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

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

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

5. “Amazing things happen when women help other women.” – Kasia __________<br />

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

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

__________ Winfrey<br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News<br />

Page 7


<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 />

Meeting<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> Immigration Ad<br />

Hoc and Grievance/<br />

Ethics Committees<br />

3/02/22<br />

5:30 p.m.<br />

3/10/22<br />

12:20 p.m. to<br />

2:00 p.m.<br />

Zoom<br />

Zoom<br />

Crimmigration Law:<br />

Perspectives of a Judge,<br />

a District Attorney, and<br />

Immigration<br />

Practitioners – 2.0 CLE<br />

Credits (1.0<br />

Professional Practice<br />

and 1.0 Ethics and<br />

Professionalism)<br />

Cost:<br />

$10.00 <strong>WWBA</strong> Members; $20.00<br />

Non-Members<br />

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

online at www.wwbany.org or<br />

email<br />

:executivedirector@wwbany.org<br />

Three panelists will<br />

discuss the intersection<br />

of criminal law and<br />

immigration law,<br />

providing non-experts<br />

an education in the<br />

immigration<br />

consequences of a<br />

criminal conviction and<br />

an attorney’s ethical<br />

obligations to his or her<br />

client in connection<br />

with such a conviction.<br />

WBASNY Board of<br />

Directors Meeting<br />

3/19/22<br />

9:00 a.m. to 3:00<br />

p.m.<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> Book Club 4/04/22<br />

6:00 p.m.<br />

In Person (White Plains)<br />

or Zoom<br />

Moderator: Elizabeth<br />

Lilly Tonne-Daims,<br />

Esq., Neighbors Link,<br />

Senior Staff Attorney<br />

Book Selection “The<br />

Personal Librarian” by<br />

Marie Benedict and<br />

Victoria Christopher<br />

Murray<br />

Email Lisa Denig to RSVP or for<br />

the Zoom link at<br />

lisadenig@yahoo.com<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 />

Answers to the <strong>WWBA</strong> Crossword Puzzle printed on Page 7:<br />

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

2021-<strong>2022</strong> BEGINS ON JUNE 1, 2021.<br />

PLEASE RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP TOD<br />

ODAY AT<br />

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

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

.ORG

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