WWBA October 2022 Newsletter

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○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Kim Berg Sworn in as SDNY Magistrate Judge from page 1 focusing on employment law, civil rights, commercial litigation, wills, trusts and estates. She will continue her practice with the firm in state courts and before administrative agencies, including before the EEOC, the New York State Division of Human Rights, and the New York State Department of Labor. Magistrate Judge Berg is a Part 146 certified mediator, regularly mediating cases for the Southern District of New York, New York State Supreme Courts, New York State Surrogate’s Courts, and the Westchester County Human Rights Commission. She was recently appointed by FINRA to serve as a Dispute Resolution Services Arbitrator for financial services and securities in the New York area. Magistrate Judge Berg regularly presents continuing legal education programs for the bar associations in which she is an active member, including the Westchester Women’s Bar Association, the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, the Westchester County Bar Association, and the Federal Bar Association. The Westchester Women’s Bar Association joins with Magistrate Judge Berg’s family and friends in offering warm congratulations on this great accomplishment! ◗ WOMEN’S BAR ASSOCIATION OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (“WBASNY”) PRESS UPDATES (July 6, 2022) – The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (“WBASNY”) commends the Legislature on the passage of the New York State Equal Rights Amendment (“ERA”), A.41002/S.51002, sponsored by Assemblymember Rebecca Seawright and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. It has been a longstanding legislative priority of WBASNY and WBASNY has unwaveringly supported adding further protections for sex, sexual orientation, and reproductive rights to the New York State Constitution. Sex and gender bias have long been pervasive in our social structure, and given recent events, biases against sexual orientation and reproductive rights have also become much more commonplace across the country. While constitutional guarantees are needed at both the State and Federal levels to prevent further discrimination, WBASNY is relieved to see New York State taking up the fight to protect its citizens. WBASNY’s mission includes the fair and equal administration of justice. By ensuring the passage of the ERA, the Legislature helps not only bring an important WBASNY legislative priority to reality but also ensures that every New Yorker will have their rights protected. WBASNY gives special thanks to Governor Kathy Hochul for recognizing the need for an extraordinary session without delay, to Assemblymember Rebecca Seawright and Senator Liz Krueger for their tireless work on protecting these important rights, and to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins for ensuring that this legislation was brought to the floor. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ (July 5, 2022) – The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (“WBASNY”) celebrates and congratulates the monumental achievement of Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson on becoming the first female African American Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. This historically defining moment will have an immense impact on equality, society, and our Country. Hon. Ketanji Brown Jackson replaces retired Associate Justice Stephen G. Breyer. Justice Brown Jackson’s legal career is distinguished and accomplished. She served on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, and the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Prior to joining the bench, Judge Brown Jackson was a law clerk at all three levels of the federal Judiciary, including as Associate Justice Stephen G. Breyer’s law clerk. Hon. Brown Jackson has also served as Vice Chair of the United States Sentencing Commission. During her time on the United States Sentencing Commission, the Commission retroactively amended the Sentencing Guidelines reducing the sentence range for crack cocaine offenses and enacting a two offence-level reduction for drug crimes. In addition, Justice Brown Jackson served as an Assistant Federal Public Defender in the appeals division of the Office of the Federal Public Defender in the District of Columbia and also worked as a lawyer in private practice. Hon. Ketanji Brown Jackson will bring not only a superior legal mind to the bench, but also much needed diversity to the United States Supreme Court. She is, and will continue to be, a role model for all girls and young women, especially those of color. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke of the chains of discrimination. At this extraordinary moment in our history, another chain has been broken, and our country takes a giant step towards racial equality. ◗ Page 6 Westchester Women’s Bar Association News
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ An Interview with Beth Levy Susan L. Pollet Chair of the Archive and Historian Committee Q: When and why did you become involved in the WWBA? A: As a domestic violence lawyer at My Sisters’ Place, I wanted to join the Domestic Violence Committee and spread awareness to other WWBA members of the urgency of domestic violence and trafficking in the County. As a feminist, I wanted to be a part of WWBA and be with like-minded strong, fierce, independent women lawyers. Q: Which activities and positions of the WWBA have you participated in? A: I have been co-chair of the Domestic Violence Committee for the past several years. We put on several important CLE’s, including providing ethics credit. One of our best, most informative CLE’s that I am proud of, was the intersection of LGBTQ issues and domestic violence. Also, I am involved informally with election and voting issues, urging members to register people and get out the vote, in a non-partisan way. I am enjoying being a mentor to a Pace Law School student. Q: What would you like to see the WWBA accomplish in the future? A: I would like to see WWBA become more diverse, and perhaps work more closely with the “Do not be intimidated by aggressive, manipulative opposing counsel. In the beginning, it is hard not to take it personally. Do not stoop down to [their] level.” Westchester Black Bar Association. Q: Please tell us about your legal career. A: I worked at The Legal Aid Society in the Bronx for 18 years, litigating criminal defense, housing, matrimonial, and family law cases. I worked in the Drug Treatment Part for a year, which was really eye opening as to an alternative to incarceration and actually treating the addiction. I joined My Sisters’ Place, the largest domestic violence provider in Westchester, working out of the Mt. Vernon office. I loved being in the community rather than in a business part of Westchester. I worked closely with a domestic violence counselor and we helped 100’s of survivors in Mt. Vernon. I get involved with my clients, and many keep in touch to this day. During the pandemic, I started my own practice, which I find rewarding, although after being in nonprofit all these years, I find it hard to charge clients the going rate. There is a dearth of affordable matrimonial and family lawyers. I de- Westchester Women’s Bar Association News cided to devote my practice to low and moderate means clients who cannot otherwise get free legal services or who aren’t eligible for Pace Women’s Moderate Means Panel. Q: What advice do you have for new lawyers entering the profession? A: Do not be intimidated by aggressive, manipulative opposing counsel. In the beginning, it is hard not to take it personally. Do not stoop down to the level of opposing counsel. Keep your cool and always be professional. Also, another piece of advice I have, is to regularly schedule “self-care” days throughout the year to take care of yourself. In the long run, it helps you to be more productive and avoid burnout. Q: How have you balanced family responsibilities and your legal career? A: That was the hardest part because back in the day, there was no such thing as remote working. Working in non-profits was long hours, and barely any flexibility in work schedules. I feel I Beth Levy paved the way for younger parents who started after me, in insisting in more flexible work schedules. It wasn’t easy, but it is essential in balancing family responsibilities and a demanding legal career. My favorite refrain is “it takes a village.” Having good childcare options and after school programs was very helpful. I used every vacation day and sometimes unpaid leave in order to find the right balance. Q: When you are not lawyering, which community activities and other interests do you pursue? A: I am involved in local and national politics, working on campaigns and getting out the vote by letter writing. I am co-chair of the Immigration Justice Committee of Indivisible Congressional District 16. I love to bike ride and paint abstract artwork with alcohol ink. I love to travel to off the beaten path places. I have been a member of a book group for 20 years and love it. ◗ Page 7
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WWBA October 2022 Newsletter

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