WWBA January 2023 Newsletter - M

Westchester Women’s Bar Association 

JANUARY 2023 

WWBA 

news 

www.wwbany.org 

WWBA CELEBRATES THE HOLIDAYS 

Together Once Again! 

Jill Oziemblewski 

O 

n December 8, 2022, members and guests of 

the WWBA gathered another year in the ballroom 

of the C.V. Rich Mansion, of The Woman’s 

Club of White Plains, to celebrate the holidays, this time 

showing all of our faces. As ever, the energy of connecting 

in person with colleagues and friends, law students 

and new lawyers, was widely appreciated and truly a joy. 

Holiday festivities around the County also provided 

an opportunity for the WWBA to celebrate our alliances 

with leaders from numerous other bar associations. Pictured 

in photographs on this page are WWBA President 

Elizabeth Marcus with the Hon. Tim Lewis, President of 

Westchester Black Bar Association (top); President Marcus 

with Michelle Tarson, member of the WWBA and the Justice 

Brandeis Law Society, and Lisa Zeiderman, President of the 

Justice Brandeis Law Society, at the Justice Brandeis Law 

Society Chanukah Celebration (middle); and President 

Marcus with the Hon. Walter Rivera, President of the Latino 

Judges’ Association, Dolores Gebhardt, President of the 

Westchester County Bar Association, and the Hon. Tim Lewis, 

President of Westchester Black Bar Association (bottom), at 

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 


WWBA Launches 

Discussion Group 

(page 4) 

WBASNY Legislative 

Priorities Announced 

(page 6) 

An Interview with 

Christine Paska 

(page 7) 

Upcoming Events 

(Page 10) 

continued on page 4 ➥ 

SAVE THE DATE 

FREE SPIN CLASS 

January 28, 2023 

WOMEN IN 

PROFESSIONAL 

DEVELOPMENT FIRST 

FRIDAY MEETING 

February 3, 2023 

EMERGING LEGAL 

CANNABIS INDUSTRY 

IN NEW YORK CLE 


ETHICAL ISSUES WHEN 

ATTORNEYS ARE 

FIDUCIARIES CLE 


Westchester Women’s Bar Association News 

PRESIDENT’S 

MESSAGE 

The New Year 

is upon us, and 

now is an opportunity 

to make 

resolutions and set 

goals. I hope you 

will join us in 

reaching the 

WWBA’s goal of 

Elizabeth Z. 

Marcus 

increasing our 

membership numbers by January 

31st. We are counting on everyone’s 

contribution to help us reach our 

goal! Here’s why: 

The WWBA is a chapter of the 

Women’s Bar Association of the 

State of New York, which we call, 

“WBASNY,” the largest statewide 

women’s bar association in the 

country. For more than 40 years, 

WBASNY has been an important resource 

for women lawyers, with professional 

networking, continuing legal 

education programming, leadership 

training, and advocacy for the 

rights of women, children, and families. 

WBASNY is comprised of 20 

chapters throughout New York State, 

and Westchester is the second largest 

chapter. 

As a chapter of WBASNY, 

throughout the year, we certify to 

WBASNY all members who have 

joined or renewed their membership 

with the WWBA. This is done over 

the course of three reporting periods, 

what’s commonly referred to as 

“Certification I, II, and III.” The certification 

periods run as follows: June 

continued on page 3 ➥ 

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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 2023 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 ....................................... Norma Lopez, Deborah A. Scalise 

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

Judiciary .......................................................................... Hon. Jodi Kimmel 

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 ...................................................................... Diona Piazza 

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 

“It is imperative that 

we reach our goal of 

400 members by 

January 31, 2023, 

as our membership 

numbers directly 

affect the number of 

votes we have as a 

chapter at WBASNY 

as well as our 

number of delegates” 

1 - September 30 (Cert I), October 1- 

January 31 (Cert II), and February 1- 

May 31 (Cert III). Our goal is to reach 

400 members who have joined or renewed 

their membership for Certification 

II, the period of October 1, 2022 

through January 31, 2023. We currently 

have 374 members that count 

towards certification. Thus, we are 26 

members shy of reaching our goal and 

are counting on everyone’s assistance 

to help us get there! 

It is imperative that we reach our 

goal of 400 members by January 31, 

2023, as our membership numbers directly 

affect the number of votes we 

have as a chapter at WBASNY as well 

as our number of delegates (we presently 

have eight – Elizabeth A. 

Cumming, Andrea B. Friedman, Angela 

Morcone Giannini, Jennifer L. Gray, 

Jacqueline Hattar, Ann M. McNulty, 

Hon. Lisa Margaret Smith, and Wendy 

Marie Weathers). In order to keep our 

voting status and number of delegates, 

we need to hit that magic number of 

400 members by January 31, 2023. 

So please pick up the phone, send 

an email, reach out to lapsed members 

and do you part in supporting the 

WWBA. Join online today at https:// 

www.wwbany.org/Join-WWBA. 

Every effort counts and every member 

counts! ◗ 

Editor’s Note 

“It really boils down to this: that all life is interrelated. We are all caught in an 

inescapable network of mutuality, tied into a single garment of destiny. Whatever 

affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” 

~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

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 Natanya Briendel at tanyabriendel@gmail.com or Amy Puerto at 

amy.puerto@yahoo.com to schedule a WWBA sponsored or co-sponsored program, including 

committee meetings, CLE programs, etc. 

❑ Once you have reserved the date with Executive Director, Elisabeth Campos, 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 Natanya Briendel or Amy Puerto, 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. 


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WWBA Launches New Discussion Group 

Lisa M. Denig 

One of the biggest “complaints” about 

the WWBA Book Club is that we generally 

don’t have enough time to really discuss 

some of the social and political issues that 

are raised in our book selections. While 

we thoroughly enjoy discussing the themes, 

characters and plots of the many interesting 

books we read, the group has often felt 

frustrated at not being able to dig deep into 

the sometimes controversial issues of the day 

addressed in these tomes. 

And so, the WWBA Discussion Club 

was born! On the suggestion of longtime 

WWBA member and book club stalwart, 

Carla Glassman, a small but opinionated 

and verbose group met at Lisa Denig’s 

house for the inaugural meeting of a new 

group aimed at talking out controversial 

issues of the day. As a launching pad for 

the first meeting, the group read George 

Packer’s article “The Four Americas,” which 

was published in The Atlantic in the summer 

of 2021. The article describes Packer’s 

theory that America is not just divided into 

Democrats and Republicans but, instead, 

into four distinct political subdivisions. He 

detailed the history of each “America” and 

how they came to exist and also objectively 

described the characteristics (both 

good and bad) associated with each. 

The attendees provided interesting insights, 

gleaned from their own personal 

histories as well as from their education, 

upbringing, geography, generational association 

and more. The discussion was 

both enlightening and engaging, with vari- 

ous viewpoints and opinions being expressed 

in a non-judgmental, accepting atmosphere 

that promoted honesty and understanding. 

The meeting lasted a whopping 2½ hours 

and could have gone for 2½ more! 

The WWBA Discussion Club (we are 

working on a jazzier name…) will meet 

again in the New Year to discuss another 

fascinating topic. Watch for that announcement 

in the weeks to come. ◗ 

ATTORNEY WITNESS CLOSERS NEEDED 

Professional Notary Services, Inc. is looking for 1099 

Attorney Witness Closers throughout New York State to handle 

various mortgage loan signings. The position requires printing, 

scanning, and traveling to closing locations. Closings occur during 

the day, nights, and weekends for optimal flexibility. 

You must be a licensed New York State Attorney with a valid 

notary commission, have a minimum of $25,000 in E&O insurance, 

and obtain a yearly background check from the National Notary 

Association. Pay varies based on the circumstances of signing. 

If interested, please submit your resume in confidence to 

Marcy@professionalnotaryservices.biz. 

We look forward to speaking to you! 

Jamie O’Connell 

Wealth Director 

701 Westchester Avenue 

White Plains, NY 10604 

T 914 299 3050 F 955 498 2839 

jamie.o’connell@bnymellon.com 

www.bnymellonwealth.com 

Page 4 


Together Again at the 2022 WWBA Holiday Party 

from page 1 

the Westchester County Bar Association 

Multi-Bar Party. The 

Westchester Women’s Bar Association 

is grateful to connect 

with these leaders and communities, 

as we are assuredly 

stronger when working together. 

Thank you to extraordinary 

WWBA Holiday Party co-chairs 

Natanya Briendel and Michelle 

Calvi, who worked creatively 

and devotedly to arrange both 

practical and celebratory details 

for our party, including spirited 

raffles, the brightest décor, and 

plentiful food stations. Most especially, 

Tanya and Michelle 

collaborated with artisan vendors 

and resellers, who offered 

for sale their colorful and unique 

designs, jewelry, clothing, 

scarves, wines, and more. This 

year the WWBA supported 

seven local businesses in this 

endeavor and truly benefitted 

from their presence at the party 

and the opportunity to buy creative 

gifts. 

The WWBA Holiday Party 

Committee, along with Presicontinued 

on page 9 ➥ 

Lisa Margaret Smith, US 

Magistrate Judge (retired) and 

Miranda Zumbado, Haub Law 

School 3L 

A Special Thank you to our Vendors 

Joan & Jan New To You 

Rosinas Winery 

Meena Creations 

Alice Sturzinger 

Unique Beaded Jewelry 

Northern Westchester 

Community Center 

Origami Owl 


Diona Piazza and President 

Marcus 

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Legislation Update from the Women’s Bar 

Association of the State of New York 

WBASNY Has Announced the Following 

Legislative Priorities for the 2022-2023 Year: 

Increasing the Hourly Rate of As- 

signed Counsel: WBASNY’s commitment 

to the fair and equal administration 

of justice includes increasing the 

long overdue wage increase to assigned 

counsel, who frequently represent 

indigent women, children, and 

families. Assigned counsel attorneys are 

on the front lines representing children 

and adults in multi-faceted cases where 

families are in turmoil. Individuals involved 

in these cases are often facing 

the loss of liberty or involuntary separation 

and require competent counsel 

to represent them. These attorneys also 

represent a large population of women 

who are survivors of abuse. WBASNY 

believes the State has a responsibility 

to ensure the right to effective assistance 

of qualified counsel, who possess 

the requisite skill, training, knowledge, 

experience and expertise in their 

field of law. Currently, there is a crisis 

in our court system as there has been a 

mass exodus of qualified attorneys willing 

to take on assigned counsel work 

because assigned counsel rates have 

not been increased in nearly twenty 

years. As a consequence of the State’s 

failure to provide proper compensation 

to skilled attorneys who serve as 

assigned counsel, children and indigent 

adults, particularly women and families, 

are being deprived of adequate 

legal representation. WBASNY strongly 

encourages funding to increase assigned 

counsel rates in the 2023 New 

York budget. 

Passage of the Equal Rights 

Amendment to the New York ork State 

Constitution: The passage of an ERA 

continues to be a legislative priority for 

WBASNY. Gender bias is pervasive in 

our social structure. Advancing constitutional 

protections against discrimination 

and ensuring equity in the administration 

of justice has WBASNY’s full 

“The passage of an ERA continues to be 

a legislative priority for WBASNY. 

Gender bias is pervasive in our social 

structure. Advancing constitutional 

protections against discrimination and 

ensuring equity in the administration of 

justice has WBASNY’s full support.” 

support. The adoption of an ERA in 

the State of New York is long overdue. 

Constitutional guarantees are needed 

at both the State and Federal levels to 

prevent sex/gender discrimination from 

impeding the full participation of 

women in the law and society. 

WBASNY is looking forward to working 

with the State Legislature to ensure 

final passage of this crucial amendment. 

Increasing Judicial Security: 

WBASNY supports action taken to ensure 

the increased safety and security 

of judges, court officials and their families 

in the State of New York. Criminal 

threats of violence, intimidation, harassment 

and inappropriate communications 

against judges and court officials 

have increased in recent years, 

which requires critical legislation to 

strengthen policies and protocols. 

Judges must be able to make decisions 

without fear of retaliation or retribution. 

The safety of the judiciary, court personnel 

and their families, is vital to not 

just an independent judiciary, but also 

to the rule of law and the protection of 

our democracy. WBASNY supports 

any enhanced measures to ensure the 

protection of our judges, court personnel, 

and their families. 

Support for Increased Protections 

and Access to Reproductive 

Health: As an organization whose mission 

is to promote the advancement of 

women in society, WBASNY adamantly 

supports a woman’s fundamental right 

to make her own reproductive health 

decisions and supports all legislation 

at both the State and Federal levels 

that helps to advance this goal. 

Passage of the Grieving Families 

Act: WBASNY strongly supports 

amending the Estates, Powers and 

Trusts Law (EPTL) § 5-4.3 with the passage 

of the Grieving Families Act. 

Currently, and for the past 110 years, 

the law recognizes mostly pecuniary 

injuries, which are primarily based 

upon a working male’s age, health, 

earning capacity and life expectancy 

as a measure of damages for wrongful 

deaths in our State. Excluded from 

the calculations is the actual value of 

someone who works in the home 

(home-makers), infants, women who 

often earn less than their male counterparts, 

minorities who often earn less 

than their white counterparts, the infirm, 

mentally ill, disabled and elderly. 

Adoption of the Grieving Families Act 

in New York would right the wrong of 

historical discrimination. WBASNY 

strongly encourages Governor Hochul 

to sign the Grieving Families Act into 

law this year. ◗ 

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An Interview with Christine Paska 

Susan L. Pollet 

Chair of the Archive and 

Historian Committee 

Q: When and why did 

you become involved in 

the Westchester Women’s 

Bar Association? 

A: I initially became involved 

with the 

Westchester Women’s Bar 

Association as a 1L at 

Pace Law School in 2006. 

Upon graduation I 

moved to New York City 

to begin my legal career 

so I could not continue 

my membership. After 

moving back to 

Westchester County and 

starting a job at the 

Westchester County District 

Attorney’s Office in 

2021, I rejoined the 


Association to network 

and develop a sense of 

community after spending 

much of the Covid- 

19 pandemic working 

from home. 

Q: Which activities and 

positions of the 


Association have you participated 

in? 

A: Since rejoining the 


Association in 2021 I 

have been one of the cochairs 

of the mentorship 

committee and I am currently 

the recording secretary 

for the 2022-2023 

year. 

Q: What would you like 

to see the Westchester 

Women’s Bar Association 

accomplish in the future? 

A: I would love to see the 


“Always say ‘yes.’ Jump on 

every opportunity that is 

presented to you. Even if the 

task seems daunting or it 

makes you nervous. The best 

way to learn is by doing . . . 

And network!” 

Association continue to increase 

its membership of both 

admitted attorneys and law 

students and for the 

mentorship program to expand 

and provide a valuable 

resource for all those who are 

interested. I also hope that in 

the upcoming year there is a 

resumption of in person events 

to allow members to network 

and celebrate each other’s 

successes. 

Q: Please tell us about your 

legal career. 

A: I began my legal career 

as an Assistant Corporation 

Counsel in the Family Court 

Division of the New York City 

Law Department in 2009. In 

that role I prosecuted juvenile 

delinquency cases in Bronx 

County Family Court. I was 

a member of both the Major 

Case Unit and the Special 

Victims Unit. I was promoted 

to Assistant Borough Chief in 

2014, and served in that role 

in both the Brooklyn and 

Bronx office. In 2018, I was 

promoted to the citywide position 

of Deputy Chief of 

Training, Special Victims Unit, 

and I served in that role until I 

left the Law Department in 

2021. I became an Assistant 

District Attorney in the Special 

Prosecutions Division of the 


Westchester County District 

Attorney’s Office in 2021. 

In July of 2022 I joined Most 

& Schneid, P.C., as an associate. 

I am now handling 

matrimonial and family law 

cases. 

Q: What advice do you have 

for new lawyers entering the 

profession? 

A: Always say “yes.” Jump 

on every opportunity that is 

presented to you. Even if the 

task seems daunting or it 

makes you nervous. The best 

way to learn is by doing. No 

one expects you to be perfect 

and you may make a 

mistake, but each mistake or 

misstep is a learning opportunity. 

And network! Attend 

bar association events, even 

if you are exhausted after a 

long day of work. Develop 

relationships, find a mentor 

(even if it is not through a 

formal program) and do 

things that may be out of 

your comfort zone because 

often times it is those connections 

that become crucial 

later in your career. 

Q: How have you balanced 

family responsibilities and 

your legal career? 

A: That’s a tough one! I am 

still working on finding that 

Christine Paska 

balance. It’s really hard 

to give 100% to your job 

and your family at the 

same time. I have a fourand-a-half-year-old 

daughter so I really try to 

be present in the evenings 

or on the weekends when 

we are doing things as a 

family and carve out a 

separate time to do work. 

But it doesn’t always work. 

I am lucky to have supportive 

a husband and I also 

know that I am modeling 

a good work ethic for my 

daughter so that makes 

the long days or weekends 

filled with work bearable. 

Q: When you are not lawyering, 

which community 

activities and other interests 

do you pursue? 

A: When I am not lawyering 

or doing all the mom 

things, I enjoy traveling, 

reading, being outside, 

running and riding my 

Peloton. I also really enjoy 

giving back to the community 

and I am looking 

forward to having my 

daughter join me in some 

upcoming community service 

projects this fall. ◗ 

Page 7

Chapter News and Announcements 

Announcements & Notes on Members 

❑ We are happy to share that Immediate Past President Amanda 

Fried 

ried’s daughter, Indie Frances Fried, was born on December 

28, 2022. Congratulations to Amanda, and we welcome Indie 

to the WWBA family! 

❑ On December 2, 2022, longtime WWBA member, Gladys 

G. . Ullmann, Esq., was inducted into the Westchester County 

Senior Citizens Hall of Fame. The awards ceremony, now in its 

40th year, was conducted as a multi-platform virtual event and 

led by Westchester County Executive George Latimer. 

The Senior Hall of Fame is a tribute to older adults who 

have generously given their time and energy to improve the 

quality of life in their communities or Westchester County at large. 

This distinction is awarded to those whose contributions have 

made a positive difference through their professional lives, volunteer 

work, or both. 

Gladys, who is currently 91 years old and practicing law, 

began her career as a high school teacher in Mount Vernon 

and Ardsley schools, where she taught French. After retiring for 

20 years, she returned to school herself and obtained a law 

WWBA President 

Elizabeth Z. Marcus 

with Gladys G. 

Ullmann 

degree at Pace University. Gladys excelled in both careers and raised a family. Gladys 

continues to be a vibrant participant of the WWBA – she is a valuable contributor to 

book club discussions and attends many social events. Gladys is also an active 

member of the Scarsdale Women’s Club and the New Rochelle Bar Association. The 

WWBA extends congratulations to Gladys for this recognition of her outstanding professional 

life, and gratitude for her contributions to our community! 

❑ Collaboration between the WWBA and the Westchester County Bar Association 

continued this year with overwhelming support from our members, amounting to a 

successful second Winter Coat Drive. More than 300 coats, plus scarves, hats, and 

gloves, were delivered on January 10, 2023 to Lifting Up Westchester, Grasslands 

Homeless Shelter, and Midnight Run. Thank you, donors! 

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 

❑ 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. ◗ 

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: 

KEITH BETENSKY, , ESQ. 

Betensky Law, PLLC 

118 North Bedford Road 

Suite 302 

Mount Kisco, NY 10549 

SUSAN FRIEDFEL, ESQ. 

Jackson Lewis, P.C. 

44 S. Broadway, 14th Fl 


susan.friedfel@jacksonlewis.com 

ELDA RATA, A, LLM 

Graduate Awaiting Admission 

EVELINA SAFANO 

ANOVA 

Student 

AMANDA A B. . BRODY, , ESQ. 

Jackson Lewis P.C. 

44 S Broadway 

14th Floor 


amanda.brody@jacksonlewis.com 

DIANE F. . CALDERON, , ESQ. 

MARTINE CUOMO, , ESQ. 

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen 

& Loewy, LLP 

1400 Broadway 

New York, NY 10018 

mcuomo@fragomen.com 

CHLOE M. DEVANNY 

Student 

EMILY ANN DIGIACOMO 

Student 

MICHELLE FEIGHAN 

Student 

 

MERCEDES JASTERZENSKI 

Student 

MAGGIE JOODI 

Student 

DORALBA LASSALLE, ESQ. 

Lassalle Law, PLLC 

75 South Broadway, 4th Floor 


dlassalle@lassallelaw.com 

JILLIAN LAVERY 

Student 

SAMANTHA NICOLE LEPRE, ESQ. 

Pace Women’s Justice Center 

CRYST 

YSTAL LICHTENBERGER 

Student 

MEGAN LUNDIN, , ESQ. 

CHRISTEN T. . MACCONE 

Student 

EMILY G. . MARCHESANI 

Student 

HANNAH PETTIS 

Student 

JESSICA SAIO 

Littman Krooks LLP 

Rye Brook, NY 

jsaio@littmankrooks.com 

Graduate Awaiting Admission 

ISHANI SANYAL 

AL 

Student 

ANTOINETTE SCIALO 

Student 

RANDIE L. SEMEL, ESQ. 

399 Knollwood Road, Ste. 107 


rsemel@rlsesq.com 

ALEXANDRA E. TAGLIAMONTI 

Student 

NATALIE ALIE TETUAN 

Student 

KRISTEN WOLL, ESQ. 

 

2022 WWBA Holiday Party 

from page 5 

dent Marcus and the entire organization, 

extends sincere thanks to each and every 

vendor who showed up to be part of our 

community, to each and every sponsor 

who made the event possible, to the White 

Plains Piano Company for the perfect piano 

accompaniment, and to our many 

members and volunteers who supported 

the effort. 

Wishing you all a happy, healthy, 

and purposeful New Year. ◗ 

Co-Chairs Tanya Briendel and Michelle Calvi 


Lisa M. Bluestein and President Marcus 

Page 9

WWBA Schedule of Upcoming Events 

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

WWBA Membership 

Committee 

WWBA Professional 

Development Committee 

WWBA Real Property 

Committee, in Collaboration 

with the Westchester County 

Bar Association’s Cannabis 

and Real Property Law 

Committees 

WWBA Grievance/ Ethics 

Committee and Corporate 

and Commercial Law 

Committees 

Cosponsored by: The 

Westchester County Bar 

Association, the White 

Plains Bar Association, the 

Yonkers Bar Association, the 

Hudson Valley Hispanic Bar 

Association; the Westchester 

Black Bar Association 

1/28/23 

1:00 p.m. 

2/03/23 

1:00 p.m. 

2/07/23 

5:00 p.m. 

to 7:00 p.m. 

2/08/23 

6:00 p.m. to 

8:00 p.m. 

Equinox Armonk 

99 Business Park Drive, 

Armonk, NY 

445 Café 

445 Hamilton Avenue, 

White Plains 

Zoom 

BNY Mellon Wealth 

Management 

701 Westchester Avenue, 

White Plains 

Free Spin Class! 

First Friday Meeting 

“The Emerging Legal 

Cannabis Industry in 

New York: What Real 

Estate Practitioners 

Need to Know” 

Speakers: 

Tremaine Wright, Chair 

of New York’s 

Cannabis Control 

Board; 

James Landau, 

Cannabis attorney at 

Prince Lobel Tye LLP; 

Kristen Motel, 

Cannabis/Zoning/Land 

Use attorney at Cuddy 

& Feder LLP 

Ethical Issues When 

Attorneys Are 

Fiduciaries 

Speakers: 

Hon. Peter Kelly, 

Queens County 

Surrogate; 

Hon. Brandon Sall, 

Westchester County 

Surrogate; 

Lisa M. Bluestein, Esq., 

Law Offices of Lisa M. 

Bluestein, LLC; 

Deborah A. Scalise, 

Esq., Scalise & 

Hamilton P.C. 

See www.wwbany.org for details 

or email 

executivedirector@wwbany.org 

Email Sakeena Naqvi at 

sakeenan26@gmail.com, or Juliet 

Gobler, at juliet@goblerlaw.com, 

with any questions or to RSVP 

Register online with the WCBA: 

https://www.wcbany.org/?pg=even 

ts&evAction=showDetail&eid=260 

747&evSubAction=listAll 

2 CLE credits in Professional 

Practice 

$25.00 for all participants claiming 

CLE credit 

Register online at 

www.wwbany.org or email 

executivedirector@wwbany.org 

2 CLE credits in Ethics and 

Professionalism 

$40.00 for Bar Association 

Members; $50.00 for non-member 

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 January 2023 Newsletter - M

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