WWBA April 2023 Newsletter

Westchester Women’s Bar Association 

APRIL 2023 

Julie P. Passman 

O 

n March 2, 2023, WWBA Board 

members were thrilled to return 

to the Eugenia Maria de Hostos 

MicroSociety School in Yonkers for the annual 

Read Across America Day celebration. 

Read Across America Day commemorates 

Dr. Seuss’s birthday and a love 

of reading in schools across the country. 

WWBA guest readers were greeted 

warmly by Hostos School Principal Elda 

Perez-Mejia, with whom we have bonded 

over the course of our long-standing engagement 

with the school’s Read Across 

America celebration. This year’s Read 

Across America Day celebration brought 

four WWBA Board members to the Hostos 

School as guest readers: Elizabeth Z. 

Marcus, WWBA President and Westchester 

County Assistant District Attorney; 

continued on page 4 ➥ 

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 


WWBA 

news 

www.wwbany.org 

TREASURED TRADITION: 

WWBA Guest Readers Return to Eugenio Maria 

de Hostos MicroSociety School for Annual 

Celebration of Read Across America Day 

An Interview with 

Rebecka J. Levitt 

(page 5) 

Issues We Face in the Four 

Stages of Retirement 

(page 6) 

Westchester Women’s Bar 

Spring Events Recap 

(page 8) 

Upcoming Events 

(Page 10) 

Julie Passman with Ms. Masick’s first grade 

students 

Jacqueline Hattar with Ms. D’Onofrio’s 

students 

SAVE THE DATE 

MUSCOOT FARM 

CLEAN-UP DAY 

April 29, 2023 

COMMERCIAL LEASING 

PRACTICE CLE 

May 1, 2023 

WWBA BOARD OF 

DIRECTORS MEETING 


WIPD FIRST FRIDAY 

MEETING 


WWBA BOOK CLUB 


Westchester Women’s Bar Association News 

PRESIDENT’S 

MESSAGE 

Elizabeth Z. 

Marcus 

Spring has 

sprung and in the 

month of March we 

celebrated Women’s 

History Month with a 

particular focus on 

wellness and community 

outreach. 

March kicked 

off with our General 

Membership Meeting 

featuring an informative and interactive 

presentation by the Honorable 

Jessica Z. Segal, Dutchess County Court 

Judge. A special thank you to Judge 

Segal for sharing her message with us 

and for presenting an important yet often 

overlooked topic, ”Prioritizing Your 

Health and Wellness While Thriving in 

Law.” Kudos also to our Wellness Committee 

Co-Chairs, Jennifer Netrosio 

Johnson, Jill Oziemblewski, and Susan 

Mills Richmond, for organizing this educational 

program - we are lucky to have 

you! 

On March 2, 2023, the WWBA 

participated in the annual Read Across 

America celebration in honor of Dr. 

Seuss’s birthday. A favorite event cherished 

by many, WWBA members including 

myself this year, joined students at 

the Eugenio Maria de Hostos 

MicroSociety School in Yonkers, NY for 

a fun and memorable morning reading 

Dr. Seuss books with the students in their 

classrooms. Thank you to our wonderful 

Education and Diversity and Inclusion 

Committee Co-Chairs, Jacqueline 

Hattar, Stephanie Melowsky, Julie P. 

Passman, Alison Morris, and Susan Mills 

Richmond, for facilitating the WWBA’s 


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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 Journal .......... Sherry Bishko, Andrea B. Friedman, Diona Piazza 

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 


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 

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Westchester Women’s Bar Association News

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President’s Message 

from page 1 

“[Our recent] events 

and programs are just 

highlights of the 

meaningful and impactful 

contributions made by 

our members who 

undoubtedly make the 

WWBA the dynamic 

organization that it is.” 

longstanding participation in this muchloved 

event. I am already looking forward 

to next year! 

The WWBA’s Women in Professional 

Development Committee continued with its 

monthly ”First Fridays” series aimed at developing, 

promoting, and presenting career 

planning and development programs 

for members. March’s program, held on 

March 3, 2023, focused on another important 

yet often overlooked topic, ”What 

Gets in the Way of Our Work/Life Balance.” 

Led by the dynamic duo of Co-Chairs, Juliet 

Gobler and Sakeena Naqvi, WWBA members 

met for a meaningful discussion on 

what leads to this imbalance and steps we 

can take to make more quality time for life 

outside of work. 

March also brought some favorite activities 

too! On March 8, 2023, WWBA 

members gathered for a paint night in celebration 

of International Women’s Day with 

members creating their own custom Scales 

of Justice painting. I am sure I am not the 

only whose painting is currently hanging in 

their office! Additionally, our ever-popular 

Book Club got together on March 13, 2023 

for an eventual and lively discussion on the 

latest book club read. 

A big thank you to Lisa Bluestein, Co- 

Chair of WBASNY’s Social Action Committee 

who, along with the WWBA’s 

Wellness and Community Outreach Committees, 

hosted a Spring Networking and 

Trivia Night to benefit the Grasslands Homeless 

Shelter in support of women’s health. 

The WWBA collected feminine hygiene products, 

new or gently used maternity clothing, 

and monetary donations to benefit the 


Editor’s Note 

“Plants want to grow; they are on your side as long as you are reasonably sensible” 

~ Anne Wareham, In Honor of Earth Day 2023 

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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Annual Celebration of Read Across America Day 

from page 1 

Jacqueline Hattar, WWBA State Director, 

Co-Chair Diversity & Inclusion Committee, 

and Partner at Wilson, Elser, 

Markowitz, Edelman & Dicker, LLP; Julie 

P. Passman, WWBA Vice President and 

Co-Chair, Education Committee, and 

special education attorney; and 

Stephanie Melowsky, WWBA Co- 

Chair, WWBA Diversity & Inclusion 

Committee, and Vice President and 

Commercial Loan Officer at PCSB 

Bank. 

As always, Westchester Women’s 

Bar Association guest readers were 

charmed by the enthusiastic greetings 

from pairs of bright and eager Hostos 

School student ambassadors dressed 

in festive The Cat in the Hat attire. 

Guest readers and student ambassadors 

got to know each other as they 

made their way from the school library 

to assigned classrooms. WWBA guest 

readers read storybooks by Dr. Seuss 

and other authors to the students in assigned 

classrooms and connected with 

the young and excited learners over a 

love of books. 

It is hard to convey the depth of 

the warmth that pervades the Hostos 

School environment. It is truly a special 

place! Barely two steps into Ms. 

Masick’s classroom, a first grader flung 

her arms around me in an enormous 

hug, and within a fraction of a second, 

I was wrapped in a spontaneous 

embrace by seven excited students. 

What a way to start the day! 

Channel 12 News Westchester recognized 

the import of the Read Across 

America celebration and aired a segment 

on the festivities at the Hostos 

At Hostos School Read Across America 

welcome breakfast in school library (l to r): 

Elizabeth Z. Marcus, WWBA President and 

Westchester County Assistant District 

Attorney; Jacqueline Hattar, WWBA State 

Director, Co-Chair Diversity & Inclusion 

Committee, and Partner at Wilson, Elser, 

Markowitz, Edelman & Dicker, LLP; and Julie 

P. Passman, WWBA Vice President and Co- 

Chair, Education Committee, and special 

education attorney 

News 12 Westchester broadcast an image of 

President Marcus and Julie Passman awaiting 

student ambassadors at the Hostos School 

Library 

School. The Channel 12 broadcast 

featured welcoming remarks from Principal 

Perez-Mejia, Yonkers Superintendent 

of Schools Dr. Edwin M. 

Quezada, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, 

Yonkers Board of Education Trustees as 

well as the Hostos students and an image 

of WWBA guest readers. 

The Hostos MicroSociety School is 

a pre-K through Grade 8 school designed 

to create a microcosm of the 

real world, where each student has a 

valuable role in running the school. 

Students are entrepreneurs and other 

professionals who earn “Micro” currency, 

elected officials who run the 

school government, judges and arbitrators 

who resolve disputes, and Peace 

Officers who ensure safety. Even the 

youngest students prepare resumés and 

participate in MicroSociety job interviews 

and job fairs. The MicroSociety 

program is purposefully aligned with 

the academic curriculum, so that student 

learning is relevant to the real 

world and students are excited and 

prepared to be our future leaders. 

The WWBA is grateful to Jacqueline 

Hattar who has served as the liaison 

between the WWBA and Read Across 

America Day in the Yonkers Public 

Schools since the inception of the 

WWBA’s participation in 2007. The 

WWBA treasures its relationship with the 

administrators, teachers, and students 

at the Hostos School and we affirm our 

deep and longstanding commitment to 

Read Across America Day. We welcome 

members to become involved in 

celebrating a love of reading with the 

Hostos School community at Read 

Across America Day 2024! ◗ 

Yonkers School Superintendent 

of Schools Dr. Edwin M. 

Quezada 

Julie Passman was greeted and 

spontaneously embraced by first 

graders in Ms. Masick’s class 

Jacqueline Hattar reads to 

second grade students in Ms. 

D’Onofrio’s classroom 

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Hostos School Principal Elda 

Perez-Mejia welcomes guest 

readers 

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An Interview with Rebecka J. Levitt 

Susan L. Pollet 

Chair of the Archive and 

Historian Committee 

Q: Tell us about your educational 

path attending 

Elisabeth Haub School of Law 

at Pace University. 

A: As a Westchester resident, 

I had heard about Elisabeth 

Haub School of Law at Pace 

University, colloquially known 

at the time as “Pace Law.” In 

my own professional life, 

prior to even commencing my 

own legal education, I had 

met numerous alumni who 

demonstrated diligence and 

dedication in their practice of 

law. It really piqued my interest 

in the school and in the 

idea of returning to advance 

my education, but I still felt 

quite hesitant. 

I was fortunate to have 

the support of others who 

believed in me until I was able 

to believe in myself. Patricia 

Bisesto, an attorney, longtime 

friend, and mentor, had suggested 

that I apply to law 

school a handful of years 

ago. That was a time of great 

transition in my life when I was 

unsure of my future in many 

ways. My desire to better my 

life for myself and my son 

pushed me through the apprehension: 

I took the LSAT, 

applied, and was accepted 

to the Elisabeth Haub School 

of Law at Pace University, now 

known as “Haub Law.” 

As a student, I sought 

out opportunities that offered 

real life experience. My inclass 

education was fortified 

through advocacy internships 

at the Family Court Legal 

Program and the Pace 

Women’s Justice Center. In 

these roles I provided pro 

bono legal services to our 

community, the majority of the 

experience relating to the rep- 

“Always challenge the status quo in order to 

raise the competence and integrity of our 

profession. There will be implications and 

consequences, but ask yourself, ‘What kind of 

dynamic do I want to have with the world?’” 

resentation of survivors of domestic 

violence, successfully arguing 

for protective stay-away 

orders necessitated by emergency 

situations. 

Q: When and why did you become 

involved in the WWBA? 

A: I was fortunate to join the 

WWBA during my 1L year. I had 

wanted to become familiar with 

not just other law students, but 

the legal community as a whole, 

and I felt that the WWBA would 

provide me with that community 

and camaraderie which is so important 

in the legal profession. 

Sometime in my second 

year of law school, I joined the 

WWBA Book Club, although 

had no idea where I would find 

the extra time! Lisa Denig hosted 

and graciously opened her 

home to the club, which Judge 

Smith chaired. As expected, I 

had not finished the first book (I 

do not recall the name, only that 

it was a painfully dull read). I 

was worried that I would be 

judged for not liking (or finishing) 

the book. Instead, the meeting 

opened with an emphatic 

declaration from one of the 

members that she “could not 

and would not” finish the book, 

followed by a chorus of laughter 

and agreement. I knew then 

that I had found my people. 

Overall, the WWBA provided 

me with outstanding networking, 

educational, and community-based 

opportunities. 

For example, I had the privilege 

of meeting Kim Berg, WWBA’s 

Past President and a U.S. Magistrate 

Judge in the Southern 


District of New York. At the time, 

she was in the process of creating 

what would be her legacy – 

the WWBA Mentorship Program. 

The program was created to 

build a robust structure among 

students, faculty, and alumni to 

ensure that every student can 

determine a path forward. 

Through kismet or luck, I was 

paired with Kim herself. She was 

immediately and always available, 

providing one-on-one 

mentoring, and gently guiding 

me forward on my own career 

development path. In one of 

our many email chains, Kim 

wrote, “This is one reason I love 

being President – I get to see 

connections like this formed and 

the rewards are endless.” That 

really touched me because it 

solidified my belief that the 

WWBA was more than just a 

networking group. 

Q: Which activities and positions 

of the WWBA have you 

participated in? 

A: As mentioned above, my 

participation with the WWBA 

began prior to being sworn in 

as an attorney. In my role as 

Vice President of the Student Bar 

Association (SBA), I organized 

an event in which the student 

body participated in a community-wide 

effort to support clients 

served at the Pace Women’s Justice 

Center. The WWBA quickly 

accepted our invitation to collaborate 

with the event. Members 

volunteered to speak on 

behalf of their own experience 

working in matrimonial and 

family court, representing simi- 

Rebecka J. Levitt 

lar circumstanced individuals. 

The SBA, with the WWBA’s 

help, successfully raised over 

$3,000 and collected numerous 

supplies, including new 

games, toys, and books for 

the children of clients receiving 

services through the Pace 

Women’s Justice Center. As 

a student leader this was a 

very special learning experience 

because it really demonstrated 

the rally and support 

of the WWBA officers 

through tangible means. An 

example of how their actions 

display the importance to 

continuously serve indigent 

clients and those in crisis. 

Each year at the WWBA 

Annual Dinner, the WWBA 

Foundation awards a scholarship 

in honor of founding 

member, trailblazer, and Past 

President Hon. Sondra M. 

Miller. In 2020, I was selected 

from a highly competitive application 

of candidates to receive 

this award. The Foundation 

considers numerous 

factors in selecting its scholarship 

recipients, including a 

history of community service, 

clinic involvement, ability to 

balance family and job-related 

responsibilities, aca- 


Page 5

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The Four Stages of Retirement and the Issues We Face in Each 

Our mission at Aging Issues 

Management is to educate 

and inform individuals to 

look at retirement differently. 

Everyone focuses on the 

financials of retirement and not 

the issues and decisions that 

they may face. Not having 

enough money is just one issue 

that we all face in retirement. 

You have to realize that 

retirement has different stages 

and, in each stage, there are 

different issues that we face. 

While all stages have financial 

implications and concerns, 

there are other decisions 

that inevitably have to be 

made. Once we get people to 

realize that each stage has its 

own decisions and issues then 

you can plan both financially 

and emotionally for each 

stage. Very important to note, 

we don’t talk about age, because 

the age that each of us 

enters each stage is different 

for all of us. 

We start with the Go-Go 

Years 

ears, the first phase of retirement. 

In addition to traveling 

and partying, there are 

a lot of questions and issues 

you will face. There are questions 

on Social Security and 

Medicare. The question, “Do 

I have adequate resources to 

provide for my family for the 

rest of our lives?” You need 

to be prepared. A best practice 

is to consult an advisor 

and prepare a financial plan 

with projections. 

The next stage is the Slow- 

Go Years 

ears. This is usually 

where housing decisions are 

made. The steps in the house 

are a little steeper in your mind. 

Are the real estate taxes worth 

living in the house? You feel 

the cold a little more. How 

are housing expenses affecting 

my financial plan? A best 

practice is to consult someone 

and prepare a housing plan 

and evaluate the alternatives. 

Consider an assessment to see 

if the home is a safe place to 

live now and in the future. 

The next Stage is the No- 

Go Years 

ears, the scariest phase. 

The human body is a machine. 

Both muscular and memory 

will wear and can’t always be 

repaired. At some point, it is 

likely, we will need some assistance. 

Whether it be simply 

transferring from a chair to 

standing up. Or, remembering 

how to transfer from the 

chair. We at Aging Issues 

Management have expertise 

helping individuals and families 

plan in this stage and we 

have the strategies on how to 

identify all the resources available. 

Evaluating care options 

and Medicaid Eligibility Planning 

are an important part of 

this stage. 

The final phase is Gone. 


2023-2024 Slate of 

Officers and Directors 

Pursuant to Article VI and IX of the by-laws of the Westchester 

Women’s Bar Association, voting for the following slate of 

Officers, Directors and State Directors took place at the General 

Membership Meeting on April 12, 2023. 

 

President-Elect 

Sherry A. Bishko 

Vice Presidents 

Julie P. Passman 

Jill Oziemblewski 

Deborah Farber-Kaiser 

Treasurer 

Christine Paska 

Corresponding 

Secretary 

Jennifer L. Gray 

Recording Secretary 

Megan Lundin 

Elected Directors 

Elizabeth Barnhard 

Robin D. Carton 

Shari R. Gordon 

Ann M. McNulty 

Sakeena Naqvi 

State Directors 

Elizabeth Cumming 

Tracy Forrest 

Andrea B. Friedman 

Jacqueline Hattar 

Elizabeth Z. Marcus 

Susan Mills Richmond 

Hon. Lisa Margaret Smith 

Wendy Marie Weathers 


Page 6 


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from page 5 

demic record, ability to overcome 

personal adversity in 

pursuit of a legal career, and 

a demonstrated commitment 

to the Westchester County 

community. I continue this 

commitment to this day. 

As of this year, I am serving 

as Co-Chair for the New 

Lawyers Committee with Elise 

Mahover. Together we 

planned the annual fall event, 

A Night of Networking, 

where law students are provided 

the opportunity meet 

WWBA officers and other 

members. Additionally, I also 

stepped into the role of Co- 

Chair of the Legislation Committee, 

which entailed appearing 

as the WWBA’s representative 

for WBASNY. In 

May 2022 I reconnected with 

Natanya Briendel, who I was 

previously acquainted with 

from our work at the Pace 

Women’s Justice Center. Together 

we appeared on behalf 

of WBASNY and the 

WWBA to advocate for legislation 

pertaining to assigned 

panel wage increase. 

Q: What would you like to 

see the WWBA accomplish 

in the future? 

A: My first priority is to preserve 

what makes our association 

extraordinary: continuing 

our legacy of community 

involvement and client 

activism; being the catalyst 

that influences legislation; 

and collaborating with social 

action initiatives within our 

own communities. 

One such initiative, the 

Northern Westchester Community 

Center, has a special 

place in my heart. One of 

their newest programs provides 

sewing and crochet 

classes to local residents. In 

turn, gorgeous, creative, and oneof-a-kind 

pieces are created and 

priced for sale in the Community 

Shop, with all proceeds directly 

paid to the creators. This center 

provides a new skill set, camaraderie, 

instills a sense of self-sufficiency 

when sold, and supplies 

perfect individualized gifts. For the 

WWBA holiday party in December 

2022, we coordinated a table 

of these handmade items to sell. 

Handmade gifts and community 

spirit goes a long way. 

Q: Please tell us about your legal 

career. 

A: As a student I held several positions 

in the Westchester area, all 

of which contributed to my professional 

development, broadened 

my way of thinking, and created 

new exposure to various issues with 

clients and the law. 

As a judicial intern for then- 

County Court Judge Anne 

Minihan, I acquired valuable 

hands-on experience preparing 

decisions in CPLR article 78 proceedings, 

gun permit petitions, 

and appeals by self-represented 

defendants. The Court also held 

a collaborative program for individuals 

with criminal records and 

dual diagnosis of mental illness/ 

drug addiction. This program was 

progressive, in that social workers, 

therapists, lawyers, and Judge 

Minihan would all meet to discuss 

the individual’s progress by maintaining 

connections and ensuring 

they receive the community support 

they needed to be successful. 

My second year I had the 

honor to serve as a research assistant 

for retired Appellate Division 

Justice Sondra Miller. In this 

position, I drafted matrimonial-related 

memoranda and settlements, 

as well as decisions in Her 

Honor’s role as a Special Referee 

for the Ninth Judicial District. 

By 2020, I was hired at The 

Law Offices of Francis X. Young, 

where Francis and I worked on 


sensitive and challenging personal 

injury matters, including 

Child Victims Act (CVA), police 

brutality, municipal liability, and 

wrongful death cases. In preparing 

a motion related to the CVA, 

I contacted the bill’s Senate sponsor, 

Sen. Brad Hoylman (D-Manhattan), 

who provided a copy of 

the as yet unpublished bill jacket, 

to which I cited in support. I believe 

that this was likely one of 

the most important tasks in my 

legal career to date, as I was able 

to truly understand the relationship 

of legislative intent and the 

actual application of the statute. 

At the onset of the COVID- 

19 public health emergency, I 

began working from home as an 

ad hoc ghost writer for family law 

attorneys and a blog post author 

for various lawyers’ websites. 

Most recently, I was hired Of 

Counsel to Murtagh, Cossu, 

Venditti & Castro-Blanco, LLP, a 

White Plains general practice firm 

focusing on business, election, 

and municipal law. 

Finally, the career milestone 

of which I am most proud is the 

formation of my own firm - the 

Law Offices of Rebecka J. Levitt, 

P.C. I feel as if I have arrived, 

and yet my career has only just 

begun. I do not believe that I 

ever would have had the courage 

to go out on my own, had it 

not been for my circle of supporters 

and the WWBA. 

Q: How do you balance family 

responsibilities and your career? 

A: Balance is a very subjective 

word. Since the day I decided to 

go to law school, I wanted my 

son, Michael, to know that this 

journey was for us – our new adventure, 

together. Michael made 

appearances in law classes, 

book club meetings, and bar association 

events. Together we attended 

dinner with the 

Columbian Lawyers Association 

of Westchester County, at 

Mulino’s in Lake Isle, where 

Michael took the stage with 

me as I received the Hon. 

James R. Caruso Award. 

Michael was bestowed the title 

of First Official Junior Vice 

President of the SBA, assisting 

with campus tours and having 

ice cream with Dean Angie 

D’Agostino. 

Michael also helped me 

advocate for law school students 

who graduated in 2020, 

with whom I was heavily involved. 

Due to the chaos 

caused by COVID-19, bar 

exam administration was seeking 

a waiver of the bar exam 

to practice. Michael mailed 

the hard copy requesting a 

hearing, with his own name 

and address listed as the 

sender. The most important 

lesson that I wanted him to 

learn was the importance of 

simply trying. We don’t always 

succeed in what we attempt, 

but we certainly can still make 

waves. In the end, although 

the bar exam still stands, my 

advocacy spurred test-makers 

to reevaluate the subjects 

tested and the reliance on the 

“law of nowhere,” as opposed 

to New York State law, 

on the New York bar exam. 

In August 2020, I participated 

in a special meeting of the 

Committee on Legal Education 

and the Bar Exam, which 

included John McAlary, the 

executive director of BOLE; 

Scott Carson, President of the 

NYSBA; and the Hon. Alan 

Sheinkman, then-Presiding 

Justice of the Appellate Division, 

Second Department. 

Q: When you are not lawyering, 

which community activities 

and other interests do 

you pursue? 

A: I am an active gardener, 

and I take great pride in the 


Page 7

Chapter News and Announcements 

WWBA Spring Events Recap 

❑ At the General Membership Meeting on March 1, 

2023, the Hon. Jessica Z. Segal, of Dutchess County 

Court, presented “Prioritizing Your Health While Thriving 

In Law.” Judge Segal, an aspiring life coach as 

well as a sitting judge, devised the program after making 

watershed changes to her own diet and wellness 

regimen. She offered positive insights about health 

and self-care that we can all apply in our lives. This 

program was facilitated by the Wellness Committee, 

and feedback to committee members unanimously 

found Judge Segal to be inspirational. Judge Segal regularly presents criminal law legal 

trainings to the Dutchess County Magistrates Association, the Dutchess County Bar Association, 

and the Mid-Hudson Women’s Bar Association. 

❑ On March 2, 2023, the Society of Irish-American 

Lawyers (SOCIAL) honored Kathleen Donelli, 

Esq., WWBA Past President and Partner at 

Goldschmidt & Genovese, LLP, with a Distinguished 

Achievement Award at its annual GALA. 

The Hon. Sondra M. Miller gave eloquent and 

meaningful introductory remarks about her 

mentoring relationship and bond with Kathleen, 

and the Hon. Colleen D. Duffy, Associate Justice 

of the Appellate Division, Second Department, 

presented her with the award. Kathleen gave a 

rich speech, both educating the audience about 

WWBA Wellness Committee Co- 

Chair Susan Mills Richmond and 

Judge Jessica Z. Segal 

(L) WWBA President Elizabeth Z. 

Marcus and Award Recipient Kathleen 

Donelli, Esq, Partner at Goldschmidt & 

Genovese, LLP; (R) WWBA Members 

Mary F. Kelly, Esq. and Carla D. 

Glassman, Esq. 

Ireland’s history and sharing a personal history of her family and profession. 

WWBA President Elizabeth Z. Marcus, and longtime WWBA members Mary F. Kelly, 

Esq., Past President of both WBASNY and the WWBA, and a founding member of Kelly 

& Knaplund, and Carla D. Glassman, Esq., a founding member and Of Counsel to 

Glassman & Brown, LLP, were among those present in support. The WWBA extends 

heartfelt congratulations to Kathleen on this honor. 

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. 

❑ In celebration of International Women’s Day on March 

8, 2023, WWBA members gathered together for a fun night 

of painting at Muse Paint Bar in White Plains. A special 

thank you to artist Cheyenne G who led the class and helped 

design this custom Scales of Justice painting. 

❑ On March 15, 2023, the WWBA Community Outreach 

and Wellness Committees hosted an evening of 

spring networking to benefit The Grasslands Homeless 

Shelter, of Valhalla, New York. In support of women’s 

health, we collected feminine hygiene products, new or 

gently used maternity clothing, and monetary donations 

for use by Grasslands and the clients it serves. Several 

directors and employees of the shelter joined us for the 

event, which was held at the Captain Lawrence Brewing 

Company, in Elmsford, providing a casual and lively ambience. 

The evening was a meaningful way to bridge with 

our community, and we hope to continue to work with 

Grasslands in the future. This event served as a WBASNY 

Scales of Justice Paintings 

on International Women’s 

Day 

WWBA Members and 

Grasslands Directors and 

Employees at Captain 

Lawrence 

Spring Social Action Project, and was sponsored by the WWBA Foundation. We are 

grateful to all who assisted in planning and participating in this event. Thank you! ◗ 

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: 

TO PROTECT THE PRIVACY OF OUR MEMBERS, 

THIS INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS OF THE WWBA ONLY. 


from page 7 

Unfortunately, as the quote 

goes, in life there’s nothing 

definite except taxes and death. 

We plan for both and can give 

you piece of mind that survivors 

can live comfortably or 

your estate will pass intact to 

your heirs. 

Each of these stages have 

many other decisions that an 

advisor will review and hopefully 

supply direction. Aging 

Issues Management starts the 

process with a personalized 

confidential interview to idenhard 

work that I have put into helping Mother Nature. My sidewalk 

garden was featured in Westchester Pollinators, which referred to me 

as the “Wonder Woman of Katonah,” 1 and in the “Talk of the Town” 

section of the Katonah-Bedford newspaper. 2 It’s really nothing short 

of marvelous to see how the pollinators have such an important role 

in our ecosystem. Realizing that I just might have a green thumb, I 

went ahead and raised herbs and vegetables in the garden at Temple 

Shaaray Tefila, in Bedford Corners. 

Q: What advice do you have for new lawyers? 

A: Network relentlessly. Empower yourself with kindness; seize professional 

development opportunities; and persevere to break the 

barriers created by oppressive forces. Always challenge the status 

quo in order to raise the competence and integrity of our profession. 

There will be implications and consequences, but ask yourself, “What 

kind of dynamic do I want to have with the world? What is my 

vision?” Finally, don’t be afraid to try something different or unorthodox. 

It’s important to be comfortable thinking outside of the box, 

not just for our own selves, but for our clients who depend on us to 

be their fierce advocates. ◗ 

1 

The Wonder Women, Rebels and Superheroes of Westchester, Westchester 

Pollinators Newsletter, https://www.healthyyards.org/westchesterpollinators/ 

2 

Michael Millius, “Talk Of The Town,” The Record-Review (July 31, 2021), 

available at https://perma.cc/K9RL-MRVP (cached Aug. 8, 2022). 

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 

The Four Stages of Retirement 

from page 6 

Joseph Soricelli AIFA, CMP (914-468-0186, joe@agingissuemgnt.com) and 

James Licata (914-720-3337, jim@agingissuesmgnt.com) are both Senior 

Financial Consultants at Aging Issues Management. 

(www.agingissuesmgnt.com) 

President’s Message 

tify the decisions that stress you 

the most, housing, insurance, 

healthcare and end of life 

planning. We help you act on 

the needed decisions quickly 

and responsibly. Let the professionals 

at Aging Issues Management 

help you address 

your planning needs now and 

in the future. While the issues 

may not be unique, we make 

from page 3 

Grasslands Homeless Shelter in Valhalla, NY and other local shelters. 

I would be remised too if I failed to mention the Westchester 

Women’s Bar Association’s volunteer work at the end of February 

with Hillside Food Outreach. WWBA members unpacked and 

organized food items for distribution to those in need. Many 

thanks to Lisa M. Denig and Jim Carpiniello for their volunteer 

work with Hillside Food Outreach and for involving the WWBA 

in such an important cause. 

The above-mentioned events and programs are just highlights 

of the meaningful and impactful contributions made by our 

members who undoubtedly make the WWBA the dynamic organization 

that it is. As we reflect on and celebrate Women’s History 

Month dedicated to honoring women’s contributions – I applaud 

and celebrate each one of you and your contributions. 

Thank you for all that you do. ◗ 


Page 9

WWBA Schedule of Upcoming Events 

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

Westchester County Bar 

Association (WCBA) 

Environmental Law 

Committee with the 

Construction Law 

Committee and Public 

Service Committee in 

collaboration with the 


Westchester County Bar 

Association (WCBA) Real 

Property Section in 

collaboration with the 


WWBA Board of Directors 

Meeting 

WWBA Professional 

Development Committee 

4/29/23 

10:00 a.m. to 

1:00 p.m. 

5/01/23 

Networking: 

5:00 p.m. to 

5:30 p.m. 

Seminar: 5:30 

p.m. to 

6:30 p.m. 

5/03/23 

6:00 p.m. 

5/05/23 

1:00 p.m. to 2:00 

p.m. 

WWBA Book Club 5/31/23 

6:00 p.m. to 

7:00 p.m. 

Muscoot Farm 

51 Route 100 

Katonah, NY 

2 Westchester Park 

Drive, Conference 

Center (Ground Floor), 

White Plains, NY 

BNY Mellon 

701 Westchester Avenue, 


445 Café 

445 Hamilton Avenue 


In person at Lisa Denig’s 

home in Valhalla, NY or 

on Zoom 

Muscoot Farm Clean-up 

Day! 

Join your colleagues for 

a volunteer project with 

Westchester Parks 

Foundation 

20 Commercial Leasing 

Practice Pointers in 60 

Minutes or Less 

Moderator: Tracy 

Forrest, Esq., Deputy 

General Counsel, 

Statewide Abstract 

Corp. 

Speaker: Keith R. 

Betensky, Esq., 

Managing Partner, 

Betensky Law, PLLC 

1 CLE Credit 

(Professional Practice) 

See 

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

ts&evAction=showDetail&eid=265 

942&evSubAction=listAll 

for more information and to 

register 

Register at: 

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

ts&evAction=showDetail&eid=265 

736&evSubAction=listAll 

Cost: $15.00 

Sponsored by Statewide Abstract 

Corp. 

**Food and beverages will be 

served** 

For more information contact: 

Brett Feinberg at 914-388-8050 

See www.wwbany.org for 

information 

First Friday Discussion For questions contact Sakeena B. 

Naqvi at sakeenan26@gmail.com, 

or Juliet Gobler at 

juliet@goblerlaw.com 

Book Selection: “Mad 

Honey,” by Jodi Picoult 

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 

2023-2024 BEGINS ON JUNE 1, 2023. 

PLEASE RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP TOD 

ODAY AT 

WWW.WWBANY 

.WWBANY.ORG 

.ORG

WWBA April 2023 Newsletter

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