WWBA December 2022 Newsletter - M

Westchester Women’s Bar Association 

DECEMBER 2022 

WWBA 

news 

www.wwbany.org 

MAKING STRIDES AGAINST BREAST 

CANCER WALK 

Lisa M. Bluestein and Adrienne J. Orbach 

O 

n October 16, 2022, many 

Westchester Women’s Bar 

Association members joined 

Team Orbach and Friends at the Making 

Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk 

at Manhattanville College, in honor 

of, in memory of, and in support of, 

friends and loved ones who have endured 

breast cancer. The American 

Cancer Society, which hosts the walk, 

reported that over 12,000 people participated 

in the walk this year. Team 

Orbach and Friends has raised so far 

$17,639.32 (as of this writing the fifth 

highest team collection amount), but 

the Team Orbach and Friends is not 

done yet. Donations can be collected until the end of 2022, so if you have not 

donated yet, there is still time. 

Please donate at this link: Making Strides of Westchester Presented by Houlihan 

Lawrence: ORBACH & FRIENDS | (https://secure.acsevents.org/site/ 

STR?fr_id=102822&pg=team&team_id=2637933) ◗ 

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 


First Friday Workshop with 

Laurie Hirsch Schulz 

(page 4) 

WBASNY and WWBA 

Social Action Projects 

(page 6) 

An Interview with 

Moira S. Laidlaw 

(page 7) 

Upcoming Events 

(Page 10) 

SAVE THE DATE 

WINTER COAT DRIVE 

December 5, 2022- 

January 5, 2023 

FIGHTING OVER FIDO 

PET CUSTODY CLE 

December 6, 2022 

WWBA HOLIDAY PARTY 


WWBA BOARD OF 

DIRECTORS MEETING 


WWBA BOOK CLUB 

January 10, 2023 

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News 

PRESIDENT’S 

MESSAGE 

The upcoming 

holidays are a 

time for togetherness, 

a time to reflect, 

and a time to 

start anew. As I 

reflect on the first 

few months of my 

Presidency, I cannot 

help but feel 

an overwhelming 

Elizabeth Z. 

Marcus 

sense of gratitude for each one of 

you. The WWBA is the dynamic organization 

it is because of its members. 

A special thank you to our Executive 

Director, Elisabeth Campos, 

Executive Committee, Elected Directors, 

State Directors, Committee 

Chairs, and numerous WBASNY 

representatives – truly, there is no “I” 

in “Team!” 

That is why, as a team, one of 

the most powerful ways you can show 

your support of the WWBA is by renewing 

your membership for the 

2022-2023 term. If you have already 

done so, thank you for your 

continued support! For those who 

have yet to renew, fear not. It is not 

too late! Membership runs from June 

1 to May 31 and is free for law students 

and graduates awaiting admission. 

Renewing is easy – just go online 

to our website at https:// 

www.wwbany.org/Join-WWBA. 

Renewing your membership also 

supports me in my goal as President 

in focusing on the value of WWBA 

membership. Joining the WWBA afcontinued 

on page 3 ➥ 

Page 1 

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

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WWBA Member Newsletter 


Published Monthly by the 

Westchester Women’s 

Bar Association, a Chapter of 

the Women’s Bar Association 

of the State of New York 

~ 2022/2023 Officers and Directors ~ 

President ELIZABETH Z. MARCUS 

President-Elect AMANDA K. RIEBEN 

Vice Presidents 

SHERRY A. BISHKO NATANYA L. BRIENDEL JULIE P. PASSMAN 

Treasurer 

DEBORAH FARBER-KAISER Recording Secretary CHRISTINE PASKA 

Corresponding Secretary JILL OZIEMBLEWSKI 

Immediate Past ast President 

AMANDA C. FRIED 

Elected Directors Westchester Board 

ELIZABETH BARNHARD KIM BERG ROBIN D. CARTON 

SHARI R. GORDON SUSAN MILLS RICHMOND 

State Directors Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York 

ELIZABETH CUMMING ANDREA B. FRIEDMAN ANGELA MORCONE GIANNINI 

JENNIFER L. GRAY JACQUELINE HATTAR ANN M. McNULTY 

HON. LISA MARGARET SMITH WENDY MARIE WEATHERS 

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 

2022-2023 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 ............................................... Stephanie Baehr, Elizabeth Gazay, 

Amy Puerto 

Families, Children & the Courts ....................... Joy S. Joseph, Alyson Kuritzky, 

Amanda Rieben, Wanda Steinmann 

Grievance/Ethics ............................................................. Deborah A. Scalise 

Judicial Screening ............................. Theresa Girolamo, Kimberly C. Sheehan 

Judiciary .............................................................................................. TBD 

Lawyering & Parenting ............................................................... Jennifer Gray 

Legislation ...................................... Angela Morcone Giannini, Rebecka Levitt 

Annual Dinner ..................................... Natanya L. Briendel, Amanda C. Fried, 

Jennifer L. Gray, Elizabeth Z. Marcus, Amanda R. Rieben 

Annual Dinner Souvenir Journal ....................................... Andrea B. Friedman 

Appellate Practice .... Heather Gushue, Hon. Sondra M. Miller, Jill Oziemblewski 

Archive & Historian ................................................................. Susan L. Pollet 

Awards ......................................... Elizabeth Barnhard, Deborah Farber-Kaiser 

Bankruptcy ............................... Susan Mills Richmond, Wendy Marie Weathers 

Book Club ............................................................................. Lisa M. Denig 

Breast Cancer Awareness ............. Hon. Sandra A. Forster, Adrienne J. Orbach 

Collaborative Law ......... Kathleen Donelli, Lynn J. Maier, Hon. Sondra M. Miller 

Community Outreach ....... Hon. Judith C. McCarthy, Hon. Lisa Margaret Smith, 

Deborah A. Scalise 

Construction Law .................................................................................. TBD 

Continuing Legal Education .................................................. Ann M. McNulty 

Cyber Law .......................................................................... Judith Bachman 

Diversity and Inclusion .......................... Jacqueline Hattar, Stephanie Melowsky 

Domestic Violence ........................ Marian Genio, Beth Levy, Stacey Neumann 

Education ................... Alison 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 

Gender Dynamics ........................................................... Natanya L. Briendel 

Holiday Party and Boutique .................... Natanya L. Briendel, Michelle A. Calvi 

Immigration ............................... Elizabeth Mastropolo, Karin Anderson Ponzer 

Insurance ..................................................................... Nicoleta Pennacchia 

Intellectual Property ................................. Elizabeth M. Barnhard, Annmary Ittan 

Judgment Enforcement & Collections ..................................... Michelle Tarson 

Litigation ...... Angela Morcone Giannini, Jacqueline Hattar, Rebecca McCloskey 

Long Range Planning ...................................... Lisa M. Denig, Linda Markowitz 

Mediation ..................... Lisa M. Denig, Hon. Sondra M. Miller, Abby Rosmarin 

Mentorship ...................................... Kim Berg, Sherry Bishko, Christine Paska 

Past Presidents ...... Angela Giannini, Deborah Scalise, Hon. Lisa Margaret Smith 

A D H O C C O M M I T T E E S 

Matrimonial ................... Robin D. Carton, Andrea Friedman, Jennifer Jackman 

Membership .................................................... Sherry Bishko, Joanna Tulman 

Networking .................................... Jennifer Netrosio Johnson, Jessica Piperis 

New Lawyers .................................................... Rebecka Levitt, Elisa Mahover 

Professional Development .................................. Juliet Gobler, Sakeena Naqvi 

Programs .................................................... Natanya L. Briendel, Amy Puerto 

Public Relations ....................................................................... Lisa M. Denig 

Real Property ......................................... JoAnne Romano, Robbin E. Sweeney 

Sponsorship ......................................................................................... TBD 

Taxation ...................................................................... Patricia Rusch Bellucci 

Trusts & Estates ............................................. Lonya A. Gilbert, Karen J. Walsh 

Practice Management ................................................. Wendy Marie Weathers 

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

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

Technology/Website ............................................................................. TBD 

Wellness ... Jennifer Netrosio Johnson, Jill Oziemblewski, Susan Mills Richmond 

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

WWBA 

Representatives 

Network of Bar Leaders ....................... Robin D. Carton, Angela Morcone Giannini, Elizabeth Z. Marcus 

Pace Board of Visitors ................................................................................................ Lisa M. Denig 

WWBA Foundation President ............................................................................... Susan M. Corcoran 

WWBA Representative Director to the WCBA Board ....................................................... Jennifer L. Gray 

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

WBASNY Judiciary/Courts Committee ............................................................... Gail M. Boggio (Rep) 

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

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

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

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

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

WBASNY ERA/Women’s Civil Rights ................................................................ Susan Mills Richmond 

WBASNY Labor and Employment Law Committee ................................................ Kim Berg (Co-Chair) 

WBASNY Legislation Committee .................................................................................. Rebecka Levitt 

WBASNY LGBTQ+ Committee .................................................................................................. TBD 

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

WBASNY Press and Public Relations Committee .......................... Angela Morcone Giannini (Co-Chair) 

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

WBASNY Diversity Committee ................................................................................ Jacqueline Hattar 

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

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

WBASNY Convention Committee .......................................................................... Amanda R. Rieben 

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

WBASNY Sex Trafficking Committee ........................................................................... Stephanie Baehr 

WBASNY Access to Justice Committee ........................................................................................ TBD 

WBASNY Collaborative Law Committee .................................................................. Kathleen Donnelli 

WBASNY Education/Title IX Committee ....................................................................... Julie Passman 

WBASNY Health Issues & Reproductive Rights Committee ....................... Mary Beth Morrissey (Co-Chair) 

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

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

WBASNY Criminal Law Committee ...................................................................... Elizabeth Z. Marcus 

9th Judicial District Representative ............................................. Amanda C. Fried, Elizabeth Z. Marcus 

WBASNY Social Action Committee .................................................. Lisa M. Bluestein, Bethany A. Solek 

WBASNY Business Development Committee ............................................................... Judith Bachman 

WBASNY Torts Committee .......................................................................... Angela Morcone Giannini 

Page 2 

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News

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President’s Message 

from page 1 

“Joining the WWBA 

after graduating from 

the University of 

Michigan Law School 

and moving back home 

to Westchester was 

one of the best 

decisions I made. I am 

forever grateful that 

my experience as a 

lawyer has gone hand 

in hand with my 

involvement 

and membership with 

the WWBA.” 

ter graduating from the University of 

Michigan Law School and moving 

back home to Westchester was one of 

the best decisions I made. I am forever 

grateful that my experience as a lawyer 

has gone hand in hand with my 

involvement and membership with the 

WWBA. To have that unparalleled support 

and encouragement, especially as 

a new lawyer, and to be part of such 

an amazing network and community 

of attorneys from all different backgrounds 

and practice areas, has truly 

made all the difference. 

Thus when asked, “Why join?” or 

“Why renew?”, for me it is a no-brainer! 

While there are many reasons to be a 

member of the WWBA, here are my 

“top three” favorites: the lasting connections 

that are made, the ways in 

which we give back to our community, 

and last but not least, the fun that we 

have, too! By way of example, among 

a few highlights from this past Fall, we 

continued our monthly Women in Professional 

Development Series; gathered 

together for our ever popular book 

club and newly formed discussion club; 

continued on page 9 ➥ 

Editor’s Note 

“A person speaking pauses, lets in a little silence-portion with the words. It is 

like an hour. Any hour. This one. Something happens, much does not. Or as 

always, everything happens: the standing walls keep standing with their whole 

attention. ” 

~ Jane Hirshfield, "How Rarely I Have Stopped to Thank the Steady Effort" 

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 

Elizabeth Z. Marcus, President: president@wwbany.org 

Ann M. McNulty, CLE Chair: ann.m.mcnulty@morganstanley.com 

Elisabeth Campos, Executive Director: executivedirector@wwbany.org 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Back Cover (3/4 page) 

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

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

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


Page 3

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Transformation Coach Laurie Hirsch Schulz Leads 

First Friday Workshop 

Jill Oziemblewski 

Those of us who attended 

“First Friday” with the Women 

in Professional Development 

group on November 4, 2022 

received the benefit of a workshop 

with special guest Laurie 

Hirsch Schulz, Transformation 

Coach & Consultant. Laurie 

has been providing individual 

and group coaching services 

to support change since starting 

LHS Coaching in 2018, following 

her twenty-two year career 

as a marketing strategist 

and leader at Fortune 500 

companies. Additionally, she 

founded Broad River - a local 

women’s networking organization 

which launched in 2019, 

was sustained through Covid, 

and is now thriving with over 

400 members. 

Professional Development Committee Co-Chair Sakeena Naqvi and 

Laurie Hirsch Schulz 

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

As a transition coach, 

Laurie partners with individuals 

who are at professional inflection 

points to navigate 

through and embrace change 

with clarity, confidence, and 

courage. Laurie also collaborates 

with career explorers, 

solopreneurs, and non-profit 

founders to build the roadmap 

to their “What’s Next.” Her 

coaching focuses on the intersection 

of work and life, using 

her “Map Your Next Move” 

navigation framework, with the 

goals of attaining greater satisfaction 

and fulfillment. 

At the First Friday meeting, 

Laurie provided guidance 

on “Map Your Next Move” 

navigation and led us through 

the method. The framework 

continued on page 6 ➥ 

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Page 4 



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WBASNY and Westchester Chapter Social Action 

Committee Projects 

“At the November 

WBASNY Board 

Meeting, the Social 

Action Committee 

announced that the 

next project will be 

‘Gratitude’ . . . which will 

run through the holiday 

season.” 

Lisa M. Bluestein 

WBASNY’s Social Action Committee 

has been busy this fall helping 

WBASNY and its Chapters implement 

social action projects. In September, 

the Committee announced a statewide 

initiative aimed at helping the clients 

of the Chapters’ beloved local domestic 

violence agencies throughout Domestic 

Violence Awareness month (October) 

and beyond. In Westchester, Legal 

Services of the Hudson Valley and 

Hope’s Door participated in the 

project. There is still time to make a 

donation from the agencies’ wish lists 

by going to https://www.wbasny.org/ 

about/committees/domestic-violence/ 

buy-a-gift-for-a-domestic-violence-survivor-2/. 

In October, WWBA members also 

participated in the ACS Making Strides 

Against Breast Cancer Walk, and in 

November, a Thanksgiving turkey donation 

project for Hillside Food Outreach. 

At the November WBASNY Board 

Meeting, the Social Action Committee 

announced that the next project will be 

“Gratitude.” The Gratitude Project will 

run through the holiday season. Rather 

than ask Chapters to participate in a 

new endeavor, WBASNY would love 

to celebrate and appreciate each 

Chapters’ already successful and 

meaningful projects. WWBA will continue 

its annual tradition of collecting 

gifts for teens as well as non-perishable 

foods at the Holiday Party. Donations 

will also be accepted for the 

WWBA Foundation. If you can’t make 

the Holiday Party and still want to make 

a donation, there are links available 

on the WWBA website. 

If you have any ideas for social actions 

projects that can be implemented 

statewide, want to report WWBA social 

action projects that are planned for this 

year, or would like a social action project 

publicized on WWBA’s as well as 

WBASNY’s websites and social media, 

please contact Co-Chairs Lisa M. 

Bluestein, at lisa@lisabluesteinlaw.com, 

or Bethany A. Solek, Esq. at 

beth.solek@gmail.com. ◗ 

Transformation Coach Laurie Hirsch Schulz Leads 

First Friday Workshop 

from page 4 

may be applied to any change a person 

might be experiencing, whether by choice 

or by circumstance, and includes five 

steps: (1) clarify and build your personal 

compass - this includes your personal values, 

goals, developed capabilities, and 

innate traits; (2) clarify what you are trying 

to solve for - hint, this may require 

some digging as it is not always exactly 

what you initially think it is; (3) ideate different 

solutions and options; (4) explore 

and experiment with those different solutions 

to learn and optimize; and (5) choose 

a path and commit to it - move forward 

with confidence knowing you can adjust 

course and optimize. 

Laurie will be launching a new “Map 

Your Next Move” Group Coaching Program 

in 2023, which will start the week of 

January 9th and continue through the 

week of March 13th. The program will 

be customized for an eight-session group 

experience, and will also include two individual 

coaching sessions. Individuals 

will set their own intentions for their outcomes 

with the group format providing 

support and accountability. Email Laurie 

at Laurie@lhscoaching.com to learn more 

or to register (registration closes once eight 

spots are taken). To schedule a free introductory 

session with Laurie, see: https:/ 

/LHSCoachingScheduler.as.me/ 

IntroDiscovery 

Women in Professional Development 

meets at 1pm on the first Friday of each 

month, at the 445 Café in White Plains. 

Its goal is to provide WWBA members 

with informal support to effectively deal 

with the inevitability of change in our lives 

and careers. The group aims to provide 

peer-to-peer networking and conversation, 

and to leverage the experience and 

expertise of fellow WWBA members. 

Please contact Co-Chairs Sakeena B. 

Naqvi, Esq., at 

sakeenan26@gmail.com, or Juliet 

Gobler, Esq., at juliet@goblerlaw.com, 

with any questions or to join the email 

list. ◗ 

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An Interview with Moira S. Laidlaw 

Susan L. Pollet 

Chair of the Archive and 

Historian Committee 

Q: When and why did you 

become involved in the 

WWBA? 

A: I first joined the WWBA 

when I moved to 

Westchester County in 1995. 

I was a very newly admitted 

lawyer at that time. Around 

five years ago, though, I 

joined the Board of the 

WWBA to help lead the elder 

law and special needs 

programming with a dear 

friend and colleague of 

mine, Elizabeth Cumming. 

Since then, I’ve had a 

chance to see all the work 

the WWBA does across 

many different spheres. It’s 

an incredible organization. 

Q: Which activities and 

positions of the WWBA 

have you participated in? 

A: Besides my role with developing 

CLEs in the area of 

elder law and special needs 

planning, I’ve really enjoyed 

participating in many of the 

bar’s social gatherings and 

fundraising/nonprofit activities. 

I’ve helped unload and 

stock food in a local food 

pantry. I’ve painted and 

sipped and raised money for 

the annual walk to fight 

breast cancer. At each event, 

it’s been so nice to meet fellow 

members and get to 

know them. 

Q: What would you like to 

see the WWBA accomplish 

in the future? 

A: There’s still so much work 

to be done in the area of 

Diversity & Inclusion and 

making sure that our bar 

represents the populations it 

serves. Any additional work 

we can do in that area 

“[W]hen I started my own private 

practice in the early 2000s, I was 

cobbling together some childcare 

coverage, and some work while 

the children were napping. I can 

remember conference calls where 

I barricaded myself in the 

bathroom. (Thank goodness Zoom 

video wasn’t yet on the scene!)” 

could fight some of the unconscious 

bias in the practice of law. 

Q: Please tell us about your legal 

career. 

A: I graduated during a recession 

and only litigation departments 

were hiring, so I started my 

career in litigation and learned 

quickly how important writing is 

to being a good lawyer. I had 

the good fortune of developing a 

mentor partner at my first law firm. 

He practiced in the area of advertising 

law and that set me on 

a course to become in house 

counsel, first at a company 

owned by Time Inc., and later at 

The Reader’s Digest Association. 

Early in the 2000s, I decided to 

leave advertising law and focus 

instead on counseling families. I 

learned of the Guardian ad Litem 

program in our local Surrogate’s 

Court, and that began my now 

20-year dedication to Trusts & 

Estate, Elder Law and Special 

Needs Planning. I love this practice 

area; it’s very fulfilling. 

Q: What advice do you have for 

new lawyers entering the profession? 

A: The law degree is an incredibly 

versatile degree, and the local 

bar associations, as well as 

our state bar association, are a 

tremendous area of support as 

you progress in your career. So 


the best advice I can give is to 

be open to any opportunity, because 

you never know where it 

will lead you. 

Q: How have you balanced 

family responsibilities and your 

legal career? 

A: I have had every possible 

conceivable flexible arrangement 

as an attorney and mother. 

I worked remotely for several 

years in the 1990s for a New 

Jersey law firm; when I worked 

in-house at the company owned 

by Time Inc., I telecommuted two 

days per week, because the 

company was headquartered in 

New Jersey and I was living in 

Westchester; when I started my 

own private practice in the early 

2000s, I was cobbling together 

some childcare coverage, and 

some work while the children 

were napping. I can remember 

conference calls where I barricaded 

myself in the bathroom. 

(Thank goodness Zoom video 

wasn’t yet on the scene!) Ironically, 

during the year-and-a-half 

of working remotely during 

Covid, it was a bit of homecoming 

for me working remotely. 

Also, as I retrained in Trusts & 

Estates and Elder Law, it required 

a tremendous amount of 

education and I would travel to 

state bar section meetings for 

focused training. These meetings 

Moira S. Laidlaw 

were often in Syracuse, Buffalo, 

Binghamton, and I had 

an incredibly amount of support 

from my spouse, David, 

and other family to enable me 

to balance professional responsibilities 

with motherhood. 

And now, it’s my first 

year as an empty nester. So 

while it felt like that balancing 

act would never end, and 

being a parent never does 

end, it’s much different at this 

age and stage for my children. 

Q: When you are not lawyering, 

which community activities 

and other interests do 

you pursue? 

A: I serve on the Hudson 

Valley Chapter of the 

Alzheimer’s Association and 

help with their outreach efforts, 

especially on the legal planning 

needed to support a person 

with any kind of cognitive 

decline. As for other interests, 

I’m an avid racket 

sport player. Tennis, pickle 

ball, paddle – if it involves a 

racket, I play it! I also love to 

read, and my daughter and I 

cannot resist any independent 

bookstore we pass. Finally, in 

what must be a sign of my 

own maturing self, I now also 

really love to bird watch and 

garden. Go figure! ◗ 

Page 7

Chapter News and Announcements 

Announcements & Notes on Members 

❑ Giving Back to Hillside Food Outreach – Thanks to the generosity of WWBA members, 

Lisa Denig and Jim Carpiniello were able to deliver 150 pounds worth of 

turkeys to Hillside Food Outreach. These turkeys will be distributed to Hillside’s clients 

who are elderly, sick or homebound. Thank you, WWBA! 

❑ WWBA Member Awarded for Community Contribution – In the July 31, 2021 issue 

of “The Record Review,” the local paper for Bedford, Pound Ridge, and Lewisboro, the 

author of Bedford’s Talk of the Town led his column with kudos for Katonah resident, 

and WWBA member, Rebecka J. . Levitt 

evitt, along with her son Michael. Rebecka and 

Michael worked together to plant a small garden between the sidewalk and the road in 

front of their house. Rebecka got permission from the town to plant the area, which 

technically is part of the town’s curtilage. The plot attracted birds, bees, and even 

rabbits, as well as approving words from neighbors. This year, Rebecka and Michael’s 

contribution to the beauty of their community earned them awards from Senator Shelley 

B. Mayer. Congratulations, Rebecka and Michael! 

❑ A Pre-Thanksgiving Walk Around Rockland Lake – Cold weather couldn’t stop a fun 

and determined group of WWBA members from an invigorating walk in Rockland Lake 

State Park on Sunday, November 19, 2022. The 3-mile paved loop around the lake 

provided a scenic spot for air and exercise before the holiday. Thanks to those who 

joined the WWBA Wellness Committee for this event! 

❑ An Invitation for Submissions – Please continue to write about legal topics and 

WWBA events and send them to Corresponding Secretary, Jill Oziemblewski, at 

jill_oziemblewski@yahoo.com, for publication in our newsletter. Submissions are generally 

due no later than the 10th of each month for publication in the following month’s 

issue. ◗ 

Become a New 

Member Today 

RENEW YOUR 

WWBA MEMBERSHIP TODAY 

FOR THE PERIOD 

JUNE 1, 2022 TO MAY 31, 2023. 

RENEW NOW! DON’T WAIT! 

WWBA Membership includes 

membership to the Women’s Bar 

Association of the State of New York 

(WBASNY). 

January 31, 2023 is the closing date in 

order to count the WWBA members 

towards our certification to WBASNY and 

assure our number of delegates. 

Renewing before this date will allow our 

Westchester Chapter (WWBA) to continue 

to be a strong presence in our statewide 

organization (WBASNY) while you will 

enjoy its many benefits, events, 

newsletter and CLE programming. 

Hélène Côté, Sherry A. Bishko, 

Elisabeth Campos 

It is easy to renew by going to the 

WWBA Website at www.WWBANY.org. 

You can use a credit card or 

PayPal to make payment. 

Page 8 


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Westchester Women’s Bar Association New Members 

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

LUCIANA BATKA 

TKAY 

Student 

MAYCIE A. BLOOM 

Student 

BRIANNA BLOOMER 

Student 

SOPHIE COASSIN 

Student 

CHLOE COLLINS 

Student 

KEYANA A. GRIFFITH 

Student 

KATHERINE E. . HANOVER 

Student 

TAVIAN HARRIS 

Student 

BROOKE LEVINSON 

Student 

DANI LORENZ-CUNNEEN 

Student 

DIONA PIAZZA 

Welby, Brady & Greenblatt, LLP 

11 Martine Avenue 

White Plains, NY 10606 

dpiazza@wbgllp.com 

Graduate Awaiting Admission 

SAMANTHA PORTILLO 

Student 

ALEXA I. REZIK 

Student 

IDA SERRANO, , ESQ. 

HANNAH M. CONLON 

Student 

ASHLEY ELIZABETH COPPOLA 

Student 

LUCIA D. . DUGAN 

Student 

KATHERINE FARLEY 

Student 

JESSICA FARRELL 

Student 

BRITTANY FERNANDEZ 

Student 

VANESSA GABRIELA GARCIA 

Student 

TIFFANY N. . MONMOUTH, , ESQ. 

KRISTINA NEWMAN, , ESQ. 

Walsh & Amicucci, LLP 

RILEY ODELL 

Student 

PAIGE E. PADULA 

Student 

RUCHI B. . PATEL 

Student 

 

KATHLEEN SIGUENZA 

Student 

SHANNON TORGERSEN 

Student 

MALLY Y VALENTIN, , ESQ. 

Hope's Door Legal Center 

PO Box 262 

Hawthorne, NY 10532 

mvalentin@hopesdoorny.org 

PAMELLA VEGNA 

Student 

MACKENZIE WITTIG 

Student 

CAROLINE WOLSTENHOLME 

Student 

President’s Message 

from page 3 

collaborated with other bar associations 

in presenting various programs and CLEs; 

conducted a CLE on recent changes to 

New York State gun laws; hosted several 

wellness activities, including apple picking, 

yoga, and a pre-Thanksgiving walk; 

showed our support for breast cancer 

awareness by participating in and collecting 

donations for the Making Strides 

Against Breast Cancer Walk; and gave 

back to our community by collecting food 

and donations for a local food pantry. 

Of note too, in November, we held our 

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

first in-person board meeting since prepandemic 

times. I know all who attended 

would agree with me how wonderful it was 

to be together again in person! 

None of this would be possible without 

the strength and support of our members. 

Please join me in continuing the 

WWBA’s important work. Join the 

WWBA, renew your membership today, 

and let it be known you support the WWBA 

and your President’s goals. I thank you 

all and look forward to celebrating with 

you at our upcoming Holiday Party on 

December 7th. ◗ 


Page 9

WWBA Schedule of Upcoming Events 

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

Second Annual Winter Coat 

Drive 

WWBA Domestic Violence 

Committee, together with the 

Pace Women’s Justice 

Center and Hope’s Door 

12/05/22 through 

1/05/23 

12/06/22 

1:00 p.m. to 2:00 

pm 

WWBA Holiday Party 12/07/22 

5:30 p.m. to 7:30 

p.m 

WWBA Board of Directors 

Meeting 

WWBA Professional 

Development Committee 

12/14/22 

6:00 p.m. 

1/06/23 

1:00 p.m. 

WWBA Book Club 1/10/23 

6:00 p.m. 

Westchester County Bar 

Association 

Zoom 

The Woman’s Club of 

White Plains, Grand 

Ballroom 

C.V. Rich Mansion 

305 Ridgeway, White 

Plains 

BNY Mellon Wealth 

Management 

701 Westchester Avenue, 

White Plains 

445 Café 

445 Hamilton Ave, 

White Plains 

In person at Scarsdale 

residence or Zoom 

Accepting New and 

Gently Used Coats, 

Gloves, and Hats 

All Donations Benefit 

Lifting Up Westchester, 

the Grasslands 

Homeless Shelter, and 

other local charities 

This program (1 CLE 

credit in professional 

practice) will focus on 

legislation considering 

the “best interests” of 

the animal when 

awarding possession in 

a divorce. 

Presenters: Lydia S. 

Antoncic, Esq., 

Principal Court 

Attorney to the 

Honorable Tandra L. 

Dawson, Integrated 

Domestic Violence 

Court, Manhattan; 

Danielle Emery, MPA, 

Director, People and 

Animals Living Safely 

at Urban Resource 

Institute 

First Friday Meeting 

Book Selection: 

“Lessons in 

Chemistry,” by Bonnie 

Garmus 

Drop off items (between 10:00 

a.m. and 3:00 p.m.) at the 

Westchester County Bar 

Association: 

4 Westchester Park Drive, Suite 

155, White Plains 

Register Online by 12/02/22 at 

www.wwbany.org for details or 

email 

executivedirector@wwbany.org 

$10.00 WWBA Members; $20.00 

Non-members 

Register Online at 

www.wwbany.org for details or 

email 

executivedirector@wwbany.org 

$25.00 per person 

Judges Gratis 

(cash bar) 

Email Sakeena Naqvi at 

sakeenan26@gmail.com, or Juliet 

Gobler, at juliet@goblerlaw.com, 

with any questions or to RSVP 

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. 

REMEMBER, YOU CAN FIND THE WBASNY WEB PAGE 

AT WWW.WBASNY.ORG. 

PLEASE REMEMBER TO RECYCLE 

Connect 

with 

us 

THE WWBA MEMBERSHIP PERIOD FOR 

2022-2023 BEGINS ON JUNE 1, 2022. 

PLEASE RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP TOD 

ODAY AT 

WWW.WWBANY 

.WWBANY.ORG 

.ORG

WWBA December 2022 Newsletter - M

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