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WWBA Sept 2023 Newsletter

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Westchester Women’s Bar Association<br />

SEPTEMBER <strong>2023</strong><br />

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

news<br />

www.wwbany.org<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> ANNUAL DINNER AND INSTALLATION<br />

OF OFFICERS - June 7, <strong>2023</strong><br />

Sherry A. Bishko<br />

O<br />

n June 7, <strong>2023</strong>, the <strong>WWBA</strong>’s Annual Dinner<br />

and Installation of Officers was held at<br />

the Mamaroneck Beach and Yacht Club.<br />

Smoke-filled skies from the Canadian wildfires required<br />

the cocktail hour to move inside but did not dampen<br />

the electric and exciting atmosphere that kicked off the<br />

evening with colleagues and friends mixing and catching<br />

up.<br />

The <strong>WWBA</strong> was honored to begin the evening’s<br />

program with remarks by WBASNY’s newly elected<br />

President Dawn A. Lott. President Lott provided opening<br />

greetings to the <strong>WWBA</strong> dinner attendees and relayed<br />

the success of WBASNY’s state-wide convention<br />

in Hershey, PA the week prior and set out her goals<br />

and agenda for the upcoming WBASNY year.<br />

Immediate Past-President Elizabeth Z. Marcus was<br />

honored with a proclamation from Westchester County<br />

Executive George Latimer and began her outgoing<br />

remarks by thanking the <strong>WWBA</strong> officers and members<br />

for their tireless efforts this year. In particular, she recounted<br />

her theme of the “value” of our membership<br />

and to that end, the numerous and successful “incontinued<br />

on page 4 ➥<br />

INSIDE THIS ISSUE<br />

SEPTEMBER <strong>2023</strong><br />

An Interview with<br />

Elizabeth Z. Marcus<br />

(page 5)<br />

Cocktails and Converation<br />

on the Hudson<br />

(page 6)<br />

WBASNY Annual<br />

Convention<br />

(page 6)<br />

Upcoming Events<br />

(Page 8)<br />

Sherry K. Bishko, Hon. Kim Berg<br />

and Amanda K. Rieben<br />

Amanda K. Rieben<br />

Hon. Anne E. Minihan<br />

SAVE THE DATE<br />

WESTCHESTER<br />

WOMEN’S BAR<br />

ASSOCIATION GENERAL<br />

MEMBERSHIP MEETING<br />

<strong>Sept</strong>ember 6, <strong>2023</strong><br />

WOMEN IN<br />

PROFESSIONAL<br />

DEVELOPMENT<br />

MEET AND GREET<br />

<strong>Sept</strong>ember 8, <strong>2023</strong><br />

WESTCHESTER<br />

WOMEN’S BAR<br />

BOOK CLUB<br />

October 2, <strong>2023</strong><br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News<br />

PRESIDENT’S<br />

MESSAGE<br />

I have been a<br />

member of this wonderful<br />

organization<br />

for many years, and<br />

while I have always<br />

looked at past<br />

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

and the membership<br />

in awe and admiration<br />

- the idea of being<br />

at the helm was<br />

Amanda K.<br />

Rieben<br />

terrifying. Reflecting upon my first few<br />

months as President, I’ve quickly discovered<br />

that not everything will go as<br />

planned. Even more importantly, I’ve<br />

learned that’s OK. Whether inopportune<br />

weather wreaking havoc or omitting<br />

certain details in planning (who<br />

muddles happy hour?!), through our<br />

collaborative efforts when faced with<br />

unexpected challenges we can achieve<br />

our greatest success (it was a wonderful<br />

happy hour with over sixty people in<br />

attendance).<br />

For instance, our annual dinner<br />

and installation of officers and directors<br />

did not necessarily go as planned.<br />

Nobody imagined that there would be<br />

wildfires that would impact our air quality<br />

and ability to congregate outside as<br />

we have in past years. Nonetheless, the<br />

Mamaroneck Beach & Yacht Club<br />

seamlessly transitioned everything inside<br />

to accommodate over 200 guests, who<br />

attended our annual dinner. While the<br />

room was more crowded than usual<br />

during the hors d’oeuvres and cocktail<br />

hour, you could sense the infectious<br />

excitement from the constant chatter and<br />

positive energy in the air (or maybe it<br />

continued on page 3 ➥<br />

Page 1<br />

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


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

SEPTEMBER <strong>2023</strong><br />

Published Monthly by the<br />

Westchester Women’s<br />

Bar Association, a Chapter of<br />

the Women’s Bar Association<br />

of the State of New York<br />

~ <strong>2023</strong>/2024 Officers and Directors ~<br />

President AMANDA K. RIEBEN<br />

President-Elect SHERRY A. BISHKO<br />

Vice Presidents<br />

DEBORAH FARBER-KAISER JILL OZIEMBLEWSKI JULIE P. PASSMAN<br />

Treasurer<br />

CHRISTINE PASKA Recording Secretary MEGAN LUNDIN<br />

Corresponding Secretary JENNIFER L. GRAY<br />

Immediate Past ast President<br />

ELIZABETH Z. MARCUS<br />

Elected Directors Westchester Board<br />

ELIZABETH M. BARNHARD ROBIN D. CARTON SHARI R. GORDON<br />

ANN M. McNULTY SAKEENA NAQVI<br />

State Directors Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York<br />

ELIZABETH CUMMING TRACY FORREST ANDREA B. FRIEDMAN<br />

JACQUELINE HATTAR ELIZABETH Z. MARCUS SUSAN MILLS RICHMOND<br />

HON. LISA MARGARET SMITH WENDY MARIE WEATHERS<br />

Executive Director ELISABETH CAMPOS<br />

© Copyright <strong>2023</strong> Westchester Women’s Bar Association. All rights reserved.<br />

The opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s) only and do not reflect the official position of the Association.<br />

Editor-in-Chief: Jennifer L. Gray • Designed and Printed by IPM Media Group, Inc. (516) 809-0501<br />

2022-<strong>2023</strong> <strong>WWBA</strong> Committee Chairs<br />

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

By-Laws ...................................................................... Hon. Kim Berg<br />

Corporate & Commercial ................ Lisa M. Bluestein, Virginia Trunkes<br />

Criminal Law ................................. Hon. Amy Puerto, Elizabeth Gazay<br />

Families, Children & Courts .................... Daniela Israelov, Joy S. Joseph,<br />

Wanda Steinmann<br />

Grievance/Ethics ............................ Norma Lopez, Deborah A. Scalise<br />

Judicial Screening .................. Theresa Girolamo, Kimberly C. Sheehan<br />

Judiciary ...................................... Hon. Jodi Kimmel, Dorothy Fingar,<br />

Lisa Florio<br />

Lawyering & Parenting ............................ Leah Cobean, Soumya Evans<br />

Jennifer L. Gray, Michelle Greenberg<br />

Legislation ........................................ Natanya Briendel, Amy Wochos<br />

Annual Dinner ........................ Natanya L. Briendel, Amanda C. Fried,<br />

Sherry A. Bishko, Jennifer L. Gray, Elizabeth Z. Marcus,<br />

Amanda R. Rieben<br />

Annual Dinner Journal ................... Andrea B. Friedman, Diona Piazza<br />

Appellate Practice ................ Hon. Sondra M. Miller, Jill Oziemblewski<br />

Heather Gushue, Lisa Florio<br />

Archive & Historian ..................................................... Susan L. Pollet<br />

Awards ................................................................. Elizabeth Barnhard<br />

Bankruptcy ................... Susan Mills Richmond, Wendy Marie Weathers<br />

Breast Cancer Awareness ...................................... Adrienne J. Orbach<br />

Collaborative Law ................ Kathleen Donelli, Hon. Sondra M. Miller<br />

Community Outreach ................ Lisa Denig, Hon. Judith C. McCarthy,<br />

Deborah A. Scalise, Hon. Lisa Margaret Smith<br />

Continuing Legal Education ..................................... Ann M. McNulty<br />

Cyber Law ................................................................ Judith Bachman<br />

Diversity and Inclusion ............ Melissa G. Andrieux, Jacqueline Hattar<br />

Stephanie Melowsky<br />

Domestic Violence ............................ Marian Genio, Stacey Neumann<br />

Education ......... Alison Morris, Julie P. Passman, Susan Mills Richmond<br />

Elder Law ................................ Elizabeth A. Cumming, Moira Laidlaw<br />

Employment Law ........................................ Hon. Kim Berg, Sara Kula<br />

Environmental & Land Use ............... Lucia Chiocchio, Jennifer L. Gray<br />

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

Matrimonial .............................. Robin D. Carton, Andrea B. Friedman<br />

Delores Gebhardt, Georgia G. Kramer<br />

Membership ..................................... Sherry A. Bishko, Joanna Tulman<br />

Networking ................. Ilene Hartzband, Jennifer N. Netrosio Johnson,<br />

Jessica Piperis<br />

New Lawyers ................................... Elisa Mahovr, Miranda Zumbado<br />

Professional Development/Placement ...... Juliet Gobler, Sakeena Naqvi<br />

Programs ................................. Natanya L. Briendel, Hon. Amy Puerto<br />

Public Relations .......................................................... Lisa M. Denig<br />

Real Property ........................................ Tracy Forrest, Joanne Romano<br />

Sponsorship ............................................................................... TBD<br />

Taxation .......................................................... Patricia Rusch Bellucci<br />

Trusts & Estates ......................................................... Lonya A. Gilbert<br />

Gender Dynamics ...................................................... Angela DiBiasi<br />

Holiday Party and Boutique ...... Natanya L. Briendel, Michelle A. Calvi<br />

Jennifer N. Netrosio Johnson<br />

Immigration ............................ Karin Anderson, Elizabeth Mastropolo,<br />

Martine Cuomo<br />

Insurance .................................................................................. TBD<br />

Intellectual Property .................. Elizabeth M. Barnhard, Annmary Ittan<br />

Judgment Enforcement & Collections .......................... Michelle Tarson<br />

Litigation ..................... Angela Morcone Giannini, Jacqueline Hattar,<br />

Elena Goldberg<br />

Long Range Planning ........................ Lisa M. Denig, Linda Markowitz<br />

Mediation ...........Hon. Sondra M. Miller, Abby Rosmarin, Lisa Dorman<br />

Past Presidents ............ Angela Morcone Giannini, Deborah A. Scalise,<br />

Hon. Lisa Margaret Smith<br />

Practice Management ...................................... Wendy Marie Weathers<br />

Pro Bono ........................................... Marian Genio, Andrea Putnam,<br />

Natalie Sobchak<br />

Social Media ............................................................................. TBD<br />

Technology/Website ................................................................... TBD<br />

Wellness ..................... Jennifer N. Netrosio Johnson, Jill Oziemblewski<br />

Susan Mills Richmond<br />

Women in Leadership ................................................................ TBD<br />

Page 2<br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News


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President’s Message<br />

from page 1<br />

“While I cannot<br />

predict the unknown,<br />

I promise and assure<br />

you that I intend to<br />

give 110% to this<br />

role . . . ”<br />

was my daughters’ enthusiasm for the food<br />

spread and the multiple plates of dumplings<br />

that they enjoyed!). By the time I stood<br />

up to deliver my installation speech, I had<br />

momentarily forgotten about the smog,<br />

and was overwhelmed with gratitude by the<br />

support and the collaborative efforts that<br />

had gone into making the evening a success.<br />

As I had mentioned during my installation<br />

speech, my aspiration this year is to<br />

further the distinctive mission of the <strong>WWBA</strong>,<br />

to “…promote justice for all, regardless<br />

of sex; to advance the social, economic<br />

and legal status for women through the<br />

law; to expand opportunities for women<br />

and to raise the level of competence and<br />

integrity in the legal profession.” As a<br />

mother of three daughters, this mission and<br />

these words are particularly important to<br />

me. I am committed to expanding the ways<br />

in which <strong>WWBA</strong> members utilize their legal<br />

backgrounds and experiences to further<br />

serve the community and promote justice.<br />

But how do we do that? We work together<br />

and we collaborate with other<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> members and with other bar associations<br />

so that we can positively impact<br />

and help others.<br />

To start, in June we hosted a<br />

roundtable discussion on domestic violence<br />

in partnership with the Justice Brandeis Law<br />

Society, 9th JD, the American Academy of<br />

Matrimonial Lawyers New York Chapter,<br />

as well as attorneys and providers from the<br />

Pace Women’s Justice Center, Hope’s<br />

Door, My Sisters’ Place. The roundtable<br />

provided a diverse atmosphere for judges<br />

and court personnel, experienced family<br />

and matrimonial law attorneys, and social<br />

continued on page 7 ➥<br />

Editor’s Note<br />

“<strong>Sept</strong>ember is the other January.”<br />

~ Gretchen Rubin<br />

Making Dates and Getting Published<br />

NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS<br />

❑ Deadline for newsletter submissions is the 10th of the month prior to publication<br />

(submissions received after the deadline are subject to the discretion of the editor).<br />

❑ Send submissions as email attachments to Jennifer L. Gray at jgray@kblaw.com.<br />

❑ Articles should be 1,000 words or fewer. Remove all pagination, headers, footers or<br />

other formatting, other than bold, underline or italics. Authors are encouraged to submit<br />

photographs for publication with their submissions and include a short biographical<br />

statement with their submissions.<br />

❑ Materials submitted allow the <strong>WWBA</strong> a limited copyright and full permission to reprint<br />

the material in any <strong>WWBA</strong> publication or on its website without additional consent.<br />

❑ Photographs must be high-resolution (150 dpi or more) and the subject and all persons<br />

in each photograph must be fully identified.<br />

PROGRAM SCHEDULING<br />

❑ First visit the <strong>WWBA</strong> website: www.wwbany.org and click on the calendar at the home<br />

page to view scheduled programs. Conflicts in scheduling will be assessed on a case by<br />

case basis, with priority for early submissions.<br />

❑ Contact Natanya Briendel at tanyabriendel@gmail.com or Hon. Amy Puerto at<br />

amy.puerto@yahoo.com to schedule a <strong>WWBA</strong> sponsored or co-sponsored program,<br />

including committee meetings, CLE programs, etc.<br />

❑ Once you have reserved the date with Executive Director, Elisabeth Campos, proceed<br />

with planning your program and creating your flyer.<br />

❑ Flyers must be approved by the Programs Committee. In advance of the 10th of the<br />

month, please send your flyer to the Program Committee Co-chairs for review and copy<br />

the Executive Director. Once approved, please send your final flyer to the Executive<br />

Director, Elisabeth Campos and the President for publication on the website calendar and<br />

the newsletter calendar. The final flyer will also be emailed to the membership.<br />

❑ We will also consider publicizing programs from outside organizations that may be of<br />

interest to our members.<br />

❑ Post-event: You may report on the success of your program and provide photographs<br />

of the speakers and participants that can be included in an upcoming newsletter. Send<br />

your submission to Natanya Briendel or Amy Puerto, following the guidelines above.<br />

Contacts<br />

Jennifer L. Gray, Corresponding Secretary and <strong>Newsletter</strong> Editor-in-Chief: jgray@kblaw.com<br />

Natanya L. Briendel, Programs Committee Co-Chair: tanyabriendel@gmail.com<br />

Hon. Amy Puerto, Programs Committee Co-Chair: amy.puerto@yahoo.com<br />

Amanda K. Rieben, President: president@wwbany.org<br />

Ann M. McNulty, CLE Chair: ann.m.mcnulty@morganstanley.com<br />

Elisabeth Campos, Executive Director: executivedirector@wwbany.org<br />

A d v e r t i s i n g R a t e s<br />

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

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

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

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

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

Members - $50.00 first issue; $25.00 each succeeding issue; Non-Members - $75.00 per issue<br />

Back Cover (3/4 page)<br />

5-10 Issues - $650.00 per issue; 1-4 Issues - $700.00 per issue<br />

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

Contact Jennifer L. Gray at jgray@kblaw.com for any questions regarding advertising.<br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News<br />

Page 3


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<strong>WWBA</strong> ANNUAL DINNER AND INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS<br />

from page 1<br />

person” and well-attended CLEs and programs<br />

put on by the <strong>WWBA</strong> this past year<br />

all of which brought this value to the forefront<br />

and our community together again.<br />

Elizabeth attended nearly every event inperson<br />

and was a consummate leader and<br />

wealth of support to all who coordinated<br />

and served on our panels and as speakers.<br />

Our gratitude to Elizabeth for all of her work<br />

and devotion this year and that which has<br />

further lifted the <strong>WWBA</strong> out of the mist of<br />

the pandemic.<br />

The Honorable Kim Berg, Magistrate<br />

Judge for the United States District Court<br />

for the Southern District of New York, administered<br />

the oath of office to the incoming<br />

officers and directors. This was particularly<br />

thrilling as Judge Berg is a Past<br />

President of the <strong>WWBA</strong> and a devoted and<br />

active member who founded and chairs the<br />

thriving <strong>WWBA</strong> Mentorship Program.<br />

Once sworn into office, our newly<br />

elected President Amanda K. Rieben took<br />

the stage and highlighted the history of<br />

women in the law and directed the audience<br />

to the mission of the <strong>WWBA</strong> - promoting<br />

justice for all and the advancement<br />

of the social and legal status of women<br />

through the law. Amanda called on the<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> membership to work with her to seek<br />

volunteer and pro-bono opportunities for<br />

community involvement to both legal and<br />

non-legal organizations to forward this mission.<br />

She will use <strong>WWBA</strong> board meetings<br />

to disseminate volunteer and pro-bono<br />

opportunities that will seek to further integrate<br />

our membership into our community<br />

and provide much-needed support.<br />

Amanda was cheered on by her beautiful<br />

family that included her parents, husband<br />

and three adorable daughters. Congratulations<br />

Amanda and we can’t wait for this<br />

exciting year to unfold.<br />

The <strong>WWBA</strong> was finally treated to our<br />

keynote speaker for the evening, the Honorable<br />

Anne E. Minihan, Administrative<br />

Judge of the 9th Judicial District of the State<br />

of New York. Judge Minihan relayed her<br />

successes in shaping the 9th JD and her<br />

plans for the future with a focus on litigants<br />

and providing professionalism and excellency<br />

in the courts. Judge Minihan provided<br />

an uplifting and forward-thinking<br />

theme to the evening.<br />

Dawn Lott, Amanda K. Rieben and<br />

Elizabeth Z. Marcus<br />

Neil Kozek and Hon. Linda Jamieson<br />

Jennifer L. Gray, Elisabeth Campos, Deborah<br />

Farber-Kaiser and Natanya Briendel<br />

Juliet Gobler and Sakeena Naqvi<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong>F Justice Sondra M. Miller<br />

Scholarship Award Winner Shelbire<br />

Pierre Paul<br />

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The evening was rounded out by<br />

awards presentations. The <strong>WWBA</strong><br />

Foundation’s Justice Sondra M. Miller<br />

Scholarship was awarded to Brittany<br />

Miraldi and Shelbire Pierre Paul who gave<br />

thankful and heartfelt remarks upon accepting.<br />

And finally, many thanks to the Annual<br />

Dinner Committee Co-Chairs: Andrea<br />

B. Friedman, Natanya L. Briendel,<br />

Dionna M. Piazza, Jennifer L. Gray, Sherry<br />

A. Bishko, Amanda C. Fried, Elizabeth Z.<br />

Marcus and Amanda K. Rieben and the<br />

Souvenir Journal Co-Chairs, Andrea B.<br />

Friedman and Dionna M. Piazza who made<br />

the dinner a rousing success. Their hard<br />

work and continued efforts are so appreciated<br />

by the entire <strong>WWBA</strong>. ◗<br />

Hon. Anne E. Minihan, Amanda K. Rieben<br />

and Sherry K. Bishko<br />

Annette Hasapidis and Lucia Chiocchio<br />

Angela Giannini, Ann M. McNulty and<br />

Brook Levinson<br />

Marilyn “Mike” Faust, Mary Kelly and Alayne Katz<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong>F Justice Sondra M. Miller Scholarship<br />

Award Winner Brittany Miraldi and<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong>F President, Susan Corcoran<br />

Page 4<br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News


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An Interview with Elizabeth Z. Marcus<br />

Susan L. Pollet<br />

Chair of the Archive and<br />

Historian Committee<br />

Q: As immediate Past<br />

President of the <strong>WWBA</strong>,<br />

what do you believe were<br />

the highlights of your Presidency?<br />

A: For sure the biggest<br />

highlight was getting to<br />

connect with so many of<br />

you all! I am continuously<br />

amazed by your hard work<br />

and dedication to this organization<br />

and have<br />

learned so much from<br />

you. I thank you all for enriching<br />

my life and am<br />

grateful to the <strong>WWBA</strong> for<br />

bringing us together.<br />

Q: Which initiatives would<br />

you like to see continue or<br />

expanded upon by the<br />

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

years?<br />

A: This year we celebrated<br />

our alliances with leaders<br />

from numerous other bar<br />

associations. I am grateful<br />

for the <strong>WWBA</strong> to have<br />

connected with these leaders<br />

and communities, as<br />

we are assuredly stronger<br />

working together. Additionally,<br />

I am always impressed<br />

by our Wellness<br />

Committee which remains<br />

incredibly active in bringing<br />

meaningful and innovative<br />

programs to our<br />

membership. I also look<br />

forward to supporting our<br />

newly formed Reproductive<br />

Rights Committee<br />

which was formed towards<br />

the end of my Presidency<br />

in response to current issues<br />

of the day.<br />

Q: What were the challenges<br />

and successes during<br />

your Presidency?<br />

“[T]he 2022-<strong>2023</strong> bar association<br />

year certainly highlighted what a<br />

dynamic organization the <strong>WWBA</strong> is.<br />

We welcomed 20 new board<br />

members, increased our membership<br />

numbers, and maintained our status<br />

as the second largest chapter of the<br />

Women’s Bar Association of the<br />

State of New York (WBASNY)”<br />

A: The challenge is never<br />

having enough time but with<br />

that said, the 2022-<strong>2023</strong> bar<br />

association year certainly<br />

highlighted what a dynamic<br />

organization the <strong>WWBA</strong> is.<br />

We welcomed 20 new board<br />

members, increased our<br />

membership numbers, and<br />

maintained our status as the<br />

second largest chapter of the<br />

Women’s Bar Association of<br />

the State of New York<br />

(WBASNY). This year saw the<br />

return of the “First Friday” series,<br />

a project of our Professional<br />

Development Committee,<br />

which meets on the first<br />

Friday of each month for networking<br />

and conversation to<br />

provide members with support<br />

in life and professional<br />

transition phases. We also<br />

saw the return of our annual,<br />

“Night of Networking - Meet<br />

the Officers/ Welcome New<br />

Members” event. Our committees<br />

presented and cosponsored<br />

CLEs on a variety<br />

of topics. We featured programs<br />

on prioritizing health<br />

and wellness while thriving in<br />

the law and the power of<br />

mentorship and sponsorship.<br />

As I often tell people (and<br />

truly mean when I say this!),<br />

the <strong>WWBA</strong> has something to<br />

offer for everyone and offer<br />

we did! We also took part in<br />

meaningful opportunities to<br />

give back to our community<br />

and our mentorship program<br />

continued to thrive. Last but<br />

not least we had fun along<br />

the way, too!<br />

Q: How did the pandemic<br />

impact your leadership, if it<br />

all?<br />

A: The 2022-<strong>2023</strong> bar association<br />

year brought a return<br />

to in-person programs<br />

and events. The energy of<br />

connecting in person with colleagues<br />

and friends, law students<br />

and new lawyers, was<br />

widely appreciated and truly<br />

a joy!<br />

Q: What advice do you have<br />

for new lawyers coming into<br />

the legal profession in<br />

Westchester County?<br />

A: Get involved early on and<br />

join a bar association! Joining<br />

the <strong>WWBA</strong> as a recent<br />

law graduate was, and remains,<br />

one of the best decisions<br />

I ever made. I am most<br />

fortunate that my career as<br />

an attorney has gone handin-hand<br />

with my membership<br />

and involvement with the<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong>. To have that unpar-<br />

Elizabeth Z. Marcus<br />

alleled support and encouragement,<br />

especially as<br />

a new lawyer, and to be<br />

part of such an amazing<br />

network and community of<br />

attorneys from all different<br />

backgrounds, has truly<br />

made all the difference.<br />

Q: In terms of your own career,<br />

what are you looking<br />

forward to achieving?<br />

A: I look forward to continuing<br />

to challenge myself by<br />

getting more trial experience<br />

and continuing to<br />

handle more complex and<br />

serious cases.<br />

Q: When you are not lawyering,<br />

which activities do<br />

you find most engaging, and<br />

how will you spend your time<br />

post-Presidency?<br />

A: I am enjoying getting<br />

back into a routine with my<br />

Peloton and also making<br />

the most of being outdoors<br />

while the weather is still nice<br />

including playing tennis. My<br />

time post-Presidency has<br />

been busy wedding planning<br />

as I am getting married!<br />

I look forward to this<br />

next chapter as I transition<br />

from President to bride. ◗<br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News<br />

Page 5


○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○<br />

Cocktails and Conversation<br />

Jennifer L. Gray<br />

On a beautiful evening on August 3, <strong>2023</strong>, over 60 members<br />

and guests of the <strong>WWBA</strong> gathered at the rooftop bar of Red<br />

Hat on the River in Irvington, NY to mingle and watch the stunning<br />

sunset over the Hudson River. Luckily, the oppressive heat<br />

and humidity that marked most of July broke the first week of<br />

August and the weather could not have been more lovely. The<br />

event was graciously co-sponsored by the Hudson Valley Hispanic<br />

Bar Association and the Rockland County Women’s Bar<br />

Association. ◗<br />

Attendees gathering at Red Hat on the River<br />

Women’s Bar Association of<br />

the State of New York<br />

(WBASNY) Annual Convention<br />

Elizabeth Z. Marcus<br />

The Annual Convention<br />

of the Women’s Bar Association<br />

of the State of New York<br />

(WBASNY) was held on June<br />

1-4, <strong>2023</strong> at Hershey Lodge<br />

in Hershey, PA. The <strong>WWBA</strong><br />

thanks WBASNY’s immediate<br />

Past President, Deborah<br />

Rosenthal (2022-<strong>2023</strong>), and<br />

all the WBASNY Officers for<br />

their support throughout the<br />

year. We are most proud of<br />

our own <strong>WWBA</strong> member<br />

Shari R. Gordon who served<br />

as WBASNY Vice President for<br />

the past two terms. The<br />

Westchester Women’s Bar<br />

Association congratulates<br />

WBASNY President, Dawn A.<br />

Lott, and the rest of the <strong>2023</strong>-<br />

2024 WBASNY Officers and<br />

wishes them a successful and<br />

productive year. ◗<br />

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○<br />

President Amanda K. Rieben,<br />

President-Elect Sherry K. Bishko<br />

and Immediate Past President<br />

Elizabeth Z. Marcus<br />

Hon. Karen T. Beltran, Jennifer L. Gray and Amanda K. Rieben<br />

Yvonne St John and Lori Lee Dickson<br />

Page 6<br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News


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○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○<br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association New Members<br />

The Westchester Women’s Bar Association proudly welcomes our newest members:<br />

TO PROTECT THE PRIVACY OF OUR MEMBERS,<br />

THIS INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS OF THE <strong>WWBA</strong> ONLY.<br />

President’s Message<br />

from page 3<br />

service providers to ask questions and engage<br />

in dialogue on a topic that impacts<br />

many individuals in our community. In<br />

<strong>Sept</strong>ember and October, to continue to<br />

raise awareness on domestic violence, the<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> in collaboration with domestic violence<br />

legal/social service providers in the<br />

community, and other matrimonial lawyers,<br />

will participate in a two-part lunch and<br />

learn training series with judges throughout<br />

the 9th Judicial District on domestic<br />

violence. In October, which is domestic<br />

violence awareness month, through the<br />

collective effort of community service providers,<br />

the <strong>WWBA</strong> will also be distributing<br />

materials and information to our membership<br />

to raise awareness. Additionally, to<br />

further support non-profit legal providers<br />

in our community, during our <strong>Sept</strong>ember<br />

6, <strong>2023</strong>, General Membership Meeting,<br />

Legal Services of the Hudson Valley<br />

(“LSHV”) will present on the child welfare<br />

system. The presentation will focus on the<br />

significance of early intervention by legal<br />

and social service providers and the profound<br />

and positive impact this can have<br />

on parents and the status of an open child<br />

protective service investigation.<br />

I am also excited about the ways in<br />

which the <strong>WWBA</strong> already is and will continue<br />

to collaborate with other bar organizations<br />

in the surrounding community. In<br />

June, the <strong>WWBA</strong> partnered with the<br />

Hudson Valley Hispanic Bar Association<br />

(“HVHBA”) and the Westchester County Bar<br />

Association, to help sponsor the Multi-Bar<br />

Summer Social. This was a well-attended<br />

event, which provided an opportunity for<br />

our membership to connect with other bar<br />

associations. In July, <strong>WWBA</strong> Treasurer,<br />

Christine Paska, and I participated in<br />

WBASNY’s leadership conference with<br />

other Chapter presidents and treasurers<br />

throughout New York State. During the first<br />

day of what was intended to be a two-day<br />

conference in the Catskills, there was once<br />

again inopportune weather wreaking<br />

havoc and the second day of the conference<br />

had to be postponed. While the severe<br />

flash flood warnings were unexpected,<br />

the weekend was a success due to the collaborative<br />

efforts of WBASNY’s Officers and<br />

Directors, and representatives from each<br />

of the local Chapters. I returned from the<br />

conference invigorated by the discussions<br />

and by other Chapters’ goals, initiatives,<br />

future programs, and prospective collaborative<br />

events.<br />

Toward this end, in August the <strong>WWBA</strong><br />

hosted our summer social at the Red Hat<br />

on the River (the “Red Hat”) in collaboration<br />

with the Rockland County Women’s<br />

Bar Association (“RCWBA”) and the<br />

HVHBA. I was amazed by the turnout and<br />

the support that all three bar associations<br />

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News<br />

received. This time, while the weather finally<br />

cooperated, in advance of the event<br />

the venue was not provided with the anticipated<br />

headcount. My hat (pun intended!)<br />

goes off to the Red Hat, which<br />

did an incredible job accommodating over<br />

sixty attendees and helping to make the<br />

event a success! The <strong>WWBA</strong> is also already<br />

in the process of assisting in the planning<br />

of a virtual CLE program spearheaded<br />

by the Honorable Mark Dillon. This<br />

program will hopefully be sponsored by the<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> in collaboration with the RCWBA,<br />

the Women’s Bar Association of Orange<br />

and Sullivan Counties, and the Mid-<br />

Hudson Women’s Bar Association.<br />

As you can see, like everything else in<br />

life, during the first few months of my presidency<br />

there have been and there likely will<br />

continue to be unexpected challenges.<br />

While I cannot predict the unknown, I<br />

promise and assure you that I intend to<br />

give 110% to this role and to collaborate<br />

with you, our membership, as well as other<br />

bar association members and organizations.<br />

The most effective way for the <strong>WWBA</strong><br />

to be successful, to “promote justice,” and<br />

further community integration is through<br />

collaboration and open communication.<br />

Thank you all for entrusting me as <strong>WWBA</strong><br />

President. I am excited for the unexpected,<br />

and I could not be prouder to be a part of<br />

this amazing organization. ◗<br />

Page 7


<strong>WWBA</strong> Schedule of Upcoming Events<br />

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

<strong>WWBA</strong> Board of Directors<br />

& General Membership<br />

Meetings<br />

9/06/23<br />

5:30 p.m. – Board<br />

Meeting<br />

5:45 p.m. –<br />

General<br />

Membership<br />

Meeting<br />

Registration<br />

6:00 p.m.-<br />

7:30 p.m. –<br />

General<br />

Membership<br />

Meeting Program<br />

City Square<br />

50 Main Street<br />

Lecture Hall<br />

White Plains, NY<br />

General Membership<br />

Meeting: “What to do<br />

When Your Client is<br />

Faced with a CPS<br />

Investigation”<br />

$15.00 for <strong>WWBA</strong> Members;<br />

$25.00 for Non-Members<br />

RSVP:<br />

Online: www.wwbany.org<br />

or e-mail:<br />

executivedirector@wwbany.org<br />

Women in Professional<br />

Development Committee<br />

9/08/23<br />

1:00 p.m. to<br />

2:00 p.m<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> Book Club 10/02/23<br />

6:00 p.m.<br />

445 Café<br />

445 Hamilton Avenue<br />

White Plains, NY<br />

7 Sylvan Drive,<br />

Scarsdale<br />

First Friday Discussion<br />

Meet and Greet<br />

Demon Copperhead<br />

By: Barbara Kingsolver<br />

For questions contact Sakeena<br />

Naqvi at sakeenan26@gmail.com<br />

or Juliet Gobler at<br />

juliet@goblerlaw.com<br />

No registration required.<br />

No fee to attend.<br />

Lisa Denig<br />

lisadenig@yahoo.com<br />

<strong>WWBA</strong> is a chapter of WBASNY, which is an approved provider of CLE credit. Full and partial scholarships for CLE programs based<br />

on financial need are available. For information on the guidelines and procedures for applying, please contact the person running<br />

the program. All requests are strictly confidential. All programs are for transitional credit unless the program states otherwise.<br />

Unless otherwise indicated, events are for <strong>WWBA</strong> members and invited guests only.<br />

The opinions expressed by any program presenter are the presenter’s own, and do not reflect<br />

the official position of the <strong>WWBA</strong>.<br />

REMEMBER, YOU CAN FIND THE WBASNY WEB PAGE<br />

AT WWW.WBASNY.ORG.<br />

PLEASE REMEMBER TO RECYCLE<br />

Connect<br />

with<br />

us<br />

THE <strong>WWBA</strong> MEMBERSHIP PERIOD FOR<br />

<strong>2023</strong>-2024 BEGINS ON JUNE 1, <strong>2023</strong>.<br />

PLEASE RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP TOD<br />

ODAY AT<br />

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

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

.ORG

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