01.09.2023 Views

WWBA Sept 2023 Newsletter

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

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


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

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○<br />

<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


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

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


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

<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 />

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

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


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

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

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

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


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

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○<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

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!