WWBA Nov 2023 Newsletter - M

Westchester Women’s Bar Association 

NOVEMBER 2023 

WWBA 

news 

www.wwbany.org 

MAKING STRIDES AGAINST 

BREAST CANCER 

Adrienne Orbach and Lisa Bluestein 

O 

n October 15, 2023, the 

WWBA joined in the effort 

to raise funds for the 

American Cancer Society Making 

Strides Against Breast Cancer 

Walk. Each year, thousands participate 

in this campaign to raise 

funds in support of those that have 

been impacted by breast cancer. 

Twenty (20) walkers participated 

in the event with Team Orbach to Team Orbach 

complete a 5k route around the campus of Manhattanville College in Purchase. 

As of this writing, Team Orbach is in 7th place raising over $13,020 and Adrienne 

J. Orbach is one of the top 10 fundraisers credited with raising $8,274! If you have 

not yet donated to Team Orbach, please consider doing so. Posts on your personal 

social media pages seeking donations from your connections are also welcome! Donations 

are still accepted until December 31, 2023 by sending a check payable to 

the “American Cancer Society” to the Law Offices of Adrienne J. Orbach, PLLC, 399 

Knollwood Road, Suite 311, White Plains, New York 10603, or online by submitting 

payment to Team Orbach online at: https://secure.acsevents.org/site/ 

SPageServer?pagename=strides_donate_now. ◗ 

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 


An Interview with 

Karen J. Walsh 

(page 4) 

WWBA New Members 

(page 8) 

A Night of Networking 

with the WWBA and Law 

Students 

(page 9) 

Upcoming Events 

(Page 10) 

SAVE THE DATE 

FIRST FRIDAY 

DISCUSSION: MAKING 

ONLINE CONNECTIONS 

MEANINGFUL 

November 3, 2023 

SOLVING THE TIME 

MANAGEMENT 

PROBLEM 

November 7, 2023 

WESTCHESTER 

WOMEN’S BAR 

ASSOCIATION 

HOLIDAY PARTY 

December 14, 2023 

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News 

PRESIDENT’S 

MESSAGE 

Fall has always 

been my favorite 

time of year. I love 

watching the leaves 

change colors, 

apple picking, the 

smell of mulled 

apple cider, pumpkin 

patches, houses 

decorated with Halloween 

and other 

Amanda K. 

Rieben 

festive decorations, children’s outdoor 

sporting events, and other activities that 

bring families and friends together. Unfortunately, 

this fall has been a bit drearier 

than usual. Nearly every Saturday 

it has rained, and several outdoor activities 

and children’s games have been 

cancelled. The leaves have fallen faster 

than usual and there never seemed to 

be a peak foliage. Fall is nearly over, 

and by the time you read this article it 

will already be November. 

In November, as our past-president 

Amanda Fried noted in her newsletter, 

we celebrate World Kindness and World 

Peace Day. Yet, wars are currently raging 

in Israel and Ukraine, the impact of 

which is far-reaching and has likely affected 

you and/or someone you know. 

There are many families who have been 

separated from one another, lost loved 

ones, and/or who will be unable to 

gather for upcoming holidays given the 

current world circumstances. With 

Thanksgiving upon us, we are supposed 

to be reminded to “give thanks.” Given 

the current circumstances in the world, 

it may seem more difficult to feel thankful. 

It is more important than ever 

continued on page 3 ➥ 

Page 1 

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

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○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 

WWBA Member Newsletter 


Published Monthly by the 

Westchester Women’s 

Bar Association, a Chapter of 

the Women’s Bar Association 

of the State of New York 

~ 2023/2024 Officers and Directors ~ 

President AMANDA K. RIEBEN 

President-Elect SHERRY A. BISHKO 

Vice Presidents 

DEBORAH FARBER-KAISER JILL OZIEMBLEWSKI JULIE P. PASSMAN 

Treasurer 

CHRISTINE PASKA Recording Secretary MEGAN LUNDIN 

Corresponding Secretary JENNIFER L. GRAY 

Immediate Past ast President 

ELIZABETH Z. MARCUS 

Elected Directors Westchester Board 

ELIZABETH M. BARNHARD ROBIN D. CARTON SHARI R. GORDON 

ANN M. McNULTY SAKEENA NAQVI 

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

ELIZABETH CUMMING TRACY FORREST ANDREA B. FRIEDMAN 

JACQUELINE HATTAR ELIZABETH Z. MARCUS SUSAN MILLS RICHMOND 

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: Jennifer L. Gray • Designed and Printed by IPM Media Group, Inc. (516) 809-0501 

2023-2024 WWBA Committee Chairs 

S T A N D I N G C O M M I T T E E S 

By-Laws ...................................................................... Hon. Kim Berg 

Corporate & Commercial ................ Lisa M. Bluestein, Virginia Trunkes 

Criminal Law ................................. Hon. Amy Puerto, Elizabeth Gazay 

Families, Children & Courts .................... Daniela Israelov, Joy S. Joseph, 

Wanda Steinmann 

Grievance/Ethics ............................ Norma Lopez, Deborah A. Scalise 

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

Judiciary ...................................... Hon. Jodi Kimmel, Dorothy Fingar, 

Lisa Florio 

Lawyering & Parenting ............................ Leah Cobean, Soumya Evans 

Jennifer L. Gray, Michelle Greenberg 

Legislation ........................................ Natanya Briendel, Amy Wochos 

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

Sherry A. Bishko, Jennifer L. Gray, Elizabeth Z. Marcus, 

Amanda K. Rieben 

Annual Dinner Journal ................... Andrea B. Friedman, Diona Piazza 

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

Heather Gushue, Lisa Florio 

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

Awards ................................................................. Elizabeth Barnhard 

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

Breast Cancer Awareness ...................................... Adrienne J. Orbach 

Collaborative Law ................ Kathleen Donelli, Hon. Sondra M. Miller 

Community Outreach ........... Lisa M. Denig, Hon. Judith C. McCarthy, 

Deborah A. Scalise, Hon. Lisa Margaret Smith 

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

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

Diversity and Inclusion ............ Melissa G. Andrieux, Jacqueline Hattar 

Stephanie Melowsky 

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

Education ......... Alison Morris, Julie P. Passman, Susan Mills Richmond 

Elder Law ................................ Elizabeth A. Cumming, Moira Laidlaw 

Employment Law ........................................ Hon. Kim Berg, Sara Kula 

Environmental & Land Use ............... Lucia Chiocchio, Jennifer L. Gray 

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

Matrimonial .............................. Robin D. Carton, Andrea B. Friedman 

Delores Gebhardt, Georgia G. Kramer 

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

Networking ................. Ilene Hartzband, Jennifer N. Netrosio Johnson, 

Jessica Piperis 

New Lawyers ................................... Elisa Mahovr, Miranda Zumbado 

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

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

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

Real Property ........................................ Tracy Forrest, Joanne Romano 

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

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

Trusts & Estates ......................................................... Lonya A. Gilbert 

Gender Dynamics ..................... Angela DiBiasi, Hon. Elena Goldberg 

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

Jennifer N. Netrosio Johnson 

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

Martine Cuomo 

Insurance .................................................................................. TBD 

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

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

Litigation ................................................. Angela Morcone Giannini, 

Hon. Elena Goldberg, Jacqueline Hattar 

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

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

Past Presidents ............ Angela Morcone Giannini, Deborah A. Scalise, 

Hon. Lisa Margaret Smith 

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

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

Reproductive Rights ........................... Natanya Briendel, Juliet Gobler 

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

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

Wellness ..................... Jennifer N. Netrosio Johnson, Jill Oziemblewski 

Susan Mills Richmond 

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

Page 2 

Westchester Women’s Bar Association News

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President’s Message 

from page 1 

“Given the current 

circumstances in the 

world, it may seem more 

difficult to feel thankful. 

It is more important 

than ever though that 

we pause and consider 

the family, friends, 

colleagues, and loved 

ones, who have 

supported us and for 

whom we are grateful.” 

though that we pause and consider the 

family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones, 

who have supported us and for whom we 

are grateful. 

I am thankful after being separated 

from many loved ones during the COVID- 

19 health pandemic, to be able to congregate 

and celebrate Thanksgiving together. 

Every year my extended family gathers 

in the Berkshires, and we fry a turkey. 

Sometimes our family gathering cannot be 

fed by one fried turkey, and the holiday 

turns into a cook off between my mom, 

who roasts a turkey, and my husband, who 

oversees the turkey frying and usually wins 

the competition. When my children were 

younger, they could and would often fit in 

the turkey fryer (before the frying began!). 

Now everyone has their eyes peeled on my 

youngest, making sure she doesn’t get too 

close to the fryer and burn the house down! 

I have come to realize and appreciate 

that the traditions and time we share 

with our loved ones are one of the greatest 

blessings in life. Through my daughters, I 

am especially thankful to create new 

memories and re-experience various life 

events through their eyes. I encourage and 

challenge anyone reading this article to 

pause and embrace those around you, who 

have supported, guided, loved and/or 

shown you compassion. This may be a 

friend, a family member, a colleague, a 

stranger, and/or anyone who has touched 

your life. 


Editor’s Note 

“The power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy 

and life lovely” 

~ Louisa May Alcott 

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 Jennifer L. Gray at jgray@kblaw.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 Hon. 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 

Jennifer L. Gray, Corresponding Secretary and Newsletter Editor-in-Chief: jgray@kblaw.com 

Natanya L. Briendel, Programs Committee Co-Chair: tanyabriendel@gmail.com 

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

Amanda K. Rieben, 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 

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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 Jennifer L. Gray at jgray@kblaw.com for any questions regarding advertising. 


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An Interview with Karen J. Walsh 

Susan L. Pollet 

Chair of the Archive and 

Historian Committee 

Q: When and why did you 

become involved in the 

WWBA? 

A: I became involved in the 

WWBA a few years after I 

started working in 

Westchester. I had been 

working at a large NYC 

firm - then had two children 

in a row and was going to 

take a break, but one partner 

in a Bronxville firm was 

persistently asking me to 

work part-time at their firm; 

they needed a trusts & estates 

attorney. The parttime 

quickly became 

fulltime, but two years later 

I had my third child. I realized 

I was going to become 

immersed in working in 

Westchester and wanted to 

meet more of the legal 

community. I was already 

an ABA member and a 

NYSBA member but was 

looking for more local involvement. 

I joined the 

WCBA and was told about 

the WWBA, and that the 

Trusts & Estates Section 

chairs, Rita Gilbert and 

Donald Klein, had periodic 

meetings at Rita’s office with 

Chinese takeout for which 

everyone contributed. It 

was open for general discussions 

and occasionally 

a presentation on a particular 

topic. I joined the 

WWBA and started going 

to those meetings that I 

could attend. At that time, 

in the early 1990s, the 

WWBA was the most welcoming 

group for women 

attorneys starting to practice 

in Westchester; I believe 

it still is. 

“It’s very scary no longer being a student 

and actually doing work that can 

substantively affect peoples’ lives. 

Keep breathing - don’t doubt that you can 

do it - but know what you don’t know. My 

mentor used to say that no matter how 

smart you are and how much you know, 

don’t get so cocky that you can no longer 

see what you don’t know.” 

Q: Which activities and positions 

of the WWBA have you 

participated in? 

A: I’ve been a co-chair of the 

Trusts & Estates Section for 

years and have spoken at 

both CLE programs and non- 

CLE programs. Our firm has 

sponsored/supported the 

Holiday parties and the 

WWBA Foundation. 

Q: What would you like to 

see the WWBA accomplish in 

the future? 

A: I think the WWBA has gone 

a long way towards helping 

women narrow the gap that 

existed in the legal and many 

professional fields between 

opportunities for women and 

opportunities for men. It has 

also been a welcoming organization 

for men as well as 

women. I would like to see 

the WWBA continue to be 

welcoming for women and 

for all attorneys trying to start 

out in the profession and continue 

to address some of the 

issues for members who are 

balancing a career and a 

family. I would like to see additional 

efforts to create avenues 

for members to get to 

know each other and exchange 

ideas and support 

each other. We did try to organize 

some means for 

members of the Trusts & Estates 

section to create discussion 

groups. When starting to 

practice, it is very helpful to 

create a discussion group of 

colleagues with similar experience 

levels who can have a 

place to talk out various issues 

and can grow in ability 

together. When I started practicing 

in NYC, my mentor and 

his colleagues helped me 

and other new associates to 

form a discussion group and 

I am still meeting with some 

of those attorneys 40 years 

later. We also helped some 

associates start a group of 

their peers years ago when 

they started at our firm, and I 

started hosting at our office 

years ago another group of 

colleagues in the WWBA T&E 

Section, which we have continued 

as Zoom meetings 

through the pandemic. The 

peer discussion groups are 

helpful on a continuing basis 

so that no one person in the 

group feels responsible for 

teaching the others in the 

group. I would also like to see 

more periodic non-CLE 

meetings of the section colleagues 

with various levels of 

experience to discuss different 

topics in the field of practice, 

similar to the meetings 

Rita and Don had at Rita’s 

Karen J. Walsh 

office, although I realize 

that was pre-CLE, and it is 

more difficult with Covid 

and large discussion 

groups are not always easy 

on zoom. We did start 

having breakfast or lunch 

meetings that were open 

discussions around a particular 

topic several years 

ago. Of course, it is always 

difficult to try fitting the 

CLE requirements and non- 

CLE extra time into your 

work and family schedule. 

I truly admire the women 

in the WWBA who take 

leadership roles in the organization 

and devote that 

additional time to the 

WWBA. 

Q: Please tell us about your 

legal career. 

A: I graduated from 

Fordham Law School, and 

started at a large firm in 

NYC, where I had the opportunity 

to rotate through 

three different departments 

and determine which area 

of practice I wanted to focus 

on. I was very lucky 

because I wanted to be in 


Page 4 


Westchester 

Women's Bar 

Association 

2023 holiday party 

The Woman's Club of White Plains 

Grand Ballroom 

305 Ridgeway, White Plains, New York 

Thursday, December 14, 2023 --- 5:30p.m.to 7:30p.m. 

$25 per person ---(cash bar) 

RSVP at wwbany.org no later than Monday December 11, 2023 

Please consider making a tax deductible donation to the following organizations by 

clicking on the following links: 

Westchester Women’s Bar Association Foundation 

Jewish Child Care Association 

Cardinal McCloskey 

Feeding Westchester 

Visit Our Holiday Shoppping Boutique held during the party! 

DON’T FORGET TO WEAR RED!!!

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An Interview with Karen J. Walsh 

from page 4 

the Trusts & Estates department, 

and at the time there 

were only two associates 

and one “permanent associate” 

with six partners, so I 

was given substantive work 

early, and guidance by all 

of the partners. I loved the 

work and the practice, although 

the hours were 

pretty brutal. When my husband 

and I started having 

a family I tried “part-time” 

work in NYC, but that was 

quite different then – 4 

long days commuting to 

NYC and doing additional 

work at home. When I had 

my second child 12½ 

months after the first, we 

decided I would take a 

break from work. That 

lasted all of a few months, 

and I was persuaded by a 

partner at a firm in 

Bronxville to do Trusts & Estates 

work for them one day 

a week. Of course, that 

didn’t work, and I was 

working several days a 

week for them. I had my 

third child when my other 

two were 2 and 3, and the 

firm in Bronxville hired an 

associate to help me with 

the Trusts & Estates work. I 

had some wonderful experiences 

at the Bronxville 

firm, but after 8 years there 

I left on very good terms 

with them, and Paul 

Amicucci & I decided we 

would try our hand at our 

own firm, and with our respective 

spouses’ full support, 

we opened up our 

own practice – Walsh & 

Amicucci – with just 2 attorneys 

and 1 assistant, not 

knowing if we could make 

a go of it. We have been 

practicing for 24 years now 

and have never regretted it. 

We have always tried to focus 

on doing quality work 

and making sure no one at 

the firm is pressured to put 

work over family needs. 

Q: What advice do you have 

for new lawyers entering the 

profession? 

A: It’s very scary no longer 

being a student and actually 

doing work that can substantively 

affect peoples’ lives. 

Keep breathing – don’t doubt 

that you can do it – but know 

what you don’t know. My 

mentor used to say that no 

matter how smart you are 

and how much you know, 

don’t get so cocky that you 

can no longer see what you 

don’t know. I would say take 

the time to learn about each 

project you are working on 

(often off the clock) and push 

yourself to go beyond just the 

project. Generally, you need 

to do a lot of learning both 

inside and outside of office 

time, but you can’t learn it all 

at once and no one expects 

you to know everything from 

the get-go; realize that it takes 

time. It’s also so important to 

get to know your colleagues. 

Try to become involved in the 

organizations, such as the 

WWBA, in your geographic 

area – and also in the 

greater area – such as the 

NYSBA. Go to the seminars 

and meetings and get to 

know the people there - ask 

questions, and when you can, 

volunteer. You have to put 

yourself out there but find the 

way that is most comfortable 

for you. For Paul and me, 

playing golf and joining 

clubs and going to social 

events to try to generate clients 

would not have worked. 

I have never been comfortable 

walking into a room 

and trying to socialize. We 

were lucky that referrals from 

satisfied clients have worked, 

along with referrals from colleagues 

who don’t practice 

Trusts & Estates, and also 

from financial advisors whose 

clients have been happy with 

our work. Once you are more 

familiar with the practice, 

speaking at non-CLE and 

CLE presentations is helpful, 

not just so colleagues can get 

to know you, but also to push 

yourself to keep learning 

more about the topics and 

issues: there’s always more to 

learn. 

Q: How have you balanced 

family responsibilities and 

your legal career? 

A: I have always felt that I 

have one foot in each door - 

sometimes one further in one 

door and sometimes the other 

more firmly in another. Once 

we had kids, I wanted to 

practice close to home to be 

able to be a class mom, a 

brownie leader, drive 

carpools, and go to recitals, 

etc., bake for the bake sales, 

as well as help with the 

homework and have family 

and fun time together. I also 

wanted to give my best to my 

work – the clients – my firm. It 

entailed a lot of burning the 

midnight oil. I like to think that 

I managed to balance the 

two well enough to be good 

at both. I think that when I am 

at work with a client, I am 

100% present and not trying 

to make them or myself feel 

rushed, and that I have done 

well and earned the respect 

of clients and colleagues. 

Also, when engaged with 

my family or friends I also 

try to be fully present and 

not thinking about work - 

and I think I have generally 

managed to keep a 

strong and good family life 

and earned the respect of 

my family. Try to prioritize 

what needs to be done vs. 

what you would like to do, 

both for work and for 

home. But it is not always 

easy and not always a balance; 

there are times when 

your time will tilt strongly in 

one direction over the other, 

and as long as you know it 

isn’t always a straight or flat 

path, and keep doing your 

best, you manage to balance 

it, however wobbly the 

balance may be. 

Q: When you are not lawyering, 

which community 

activities and other interests 

do you pursue? 

A: I was a member of the 

Westchester Community 

Foundation Board for years 

– they are a fantastic organization. 

I also serve on two 

small foundation boards. I 

was actively involved in 

committees in the schools 

and synagogue when my 

children were younger, and 

through my church I have 

been cooking for HOPE 

soup kitchen for over 25 

years. I have been part of 

a book club for many years 

and love reading, but you 

could probably say that, 

aside from my husband 

and children and family, 

cooking/baking/entertaining, 

and travel, are my biggest 

non-lawyering interests. 

◗ 

Page 6 


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Chapter News and Announcements 

Announcements and Notes on Members 

Congratulations to Lucia Chiocchio and Cindy Kanusher who were 

honored with the 2023 Women Innovators Award from Westfair Communications 

on October 26, 2023 at the VIP Country Club in New Rochelle. The award 

is given to women who have been innovators in various fields, advocate for 

innovation in their organizations and break barriers by making significant contributions 

to science, technology, arts and other areas. ◗ 

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from page 3 

“While Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks, it is 

also a time to “give back” to the community . . . 

This may be through volunteering at a local food 

pantry, making donations to an organization, providing 

pro bono or low bono legal services, supporting a 

charitable cause or event through the WWBA, 

mentoring a law student, and/or presenting on a 

legal topic to help educate the legal community.” 

At this time of year, in addition to giving thanks to my family, I would like to thank 

the WWBA and our robust membership for your continued involvement and support. 

I am also incredibly grateful to the WWBA’s Executive Committee. Our President- 

Elect, Sherry Bishko, has helped with various events, and has been a sounding board 

on several pressing matters. Our Vice Presidents, Debora Farber-Kaiser, Jill Oziemblewski, 

and Julie Passman, continue to lend a helping hand wherever needed, and provided 

guidance and support. Our Corresponding Secretary, Jennifer Gray, has made this 

newsletter possible and kindly and patiently reminded me and others about important 

deadlines. Christine Paska, our detail-oriented and organized Treasurer, has seamlessly 

made many events and meals possible for our membership and our board. I am thankful 

to Megan Lundin, my colleague, and WWBA Recording Secretary, who has meticulously 

taken the minutes for each of our board meetings. Natanya Briendel, my mentor 

and former colleague, has enthusiastically helped make many of our CLE and other 

programs possible. Our Past Presidents, Judges Kim Berg and Lisa Margaret Smith, 

Amanda Fried, and Elizabeth Marcus, have all supported and provided me with their 

institutional knowledge, wisdom, and invaluable guidance, particularly when it comes to 

our bylaws. In addition to our Executive Board, I am thankful for our Executive Director, 

Elisabeth Campos, who tirelessly and seamlessly overseas all aspects of this organization. 

I am also grateful to all our Past Presidents for their guidance and grace in founding 

and helping to sustain such an amazing organization. 

While Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks, it is also a time to “give back” to the 

community. During my WWBA Presidency, I have encouraged our membership to find 

ways to further integrate the WWBA in the community and support local non-profits and 

other community providers. This season, I encourage all of you to consider ways that you 

can support the community. This may be through volunteering at a local food pantry, 



Become a New 

Member Today 

RENEW YOUR 

WWBA MEMBERSHIP TODAY 

FOR THE PERIOD 

JUNE 1, 2023 TO MAY 31, 2024. 

RENEW NOW! DON’T WAIT! 

WWBA Membership includes 

membership to the Women’s Bar 

Association of the State of New York 

(WBASNY). 

January 31, 2024 is the closing date in 

order to count the WWBA members 

towards our certification to WBASNY and 

assure our number of delegates. 

Renewing before this date will allow our 

Westchester Chapter (WWBA) to continue 

to be a strong presence in our statewide 

organization (WBASNY) while you will 

enjoy its many benefits, events, 

newsletter and CLE programming. 

Hélène Côté, Sherry A. Bishko, 

Elisabeth Campos 

It is easy to renew by going to the 

WWBA Website at www.WWBANY.org. 

You can use a credit card or 

PayPal to make payment. 

Page 7

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Westchester Women’s Bar Association New Members 

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

NANCY AHERN, , ESQ. 

Law Office of Nancy Ahern 

48 Wall Street 

Suite 1100 

New York, NY 10005 

KAITLYN D’AMICO 

Student 

STEPHANIE ELEFTHERIOU 

Student 

SIERRA KOWALSKi 

Student 

MADELINE LAW 

Student 

LUCIA ALAIMO 

Student 

MARYBETH C. 

ALLEN-KNECHT, , ESQ. 

Westchester County Attorney 

148 Martine Avenue 

White Plains, NY 10567 

TAMI ALPERT, , ESQ. 

MAIYA A AUBRY 

Student 

JULIA J. . BANSBACH 

CH 

Student 

MINNIE BEIDEMAN 

Student 

SUZANNE M. BERGER, ESQ. 

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP 

1290 Avenue of the Americas 


suzanne.berger@bclplaw.com 

CHRISTINA BRUNETTI 

Student 

MEGHAN CAIN 

Student 

ALEXANDRA CATALANO 

ALANO, , ESQ. 

Traub Lieberman Straus & 

Shrewsberry LLP 

Seven Skyline Drive 

Hawthorne, NY 10532 

CHARLOTTE CHAPMAN 

Student 

AMANDA CIPRIANO 

Student 

JULIANA M. ESOLDI 

Student 

SYDNEY R. ESTNER 

Student 

FRANCESCA FAZIO 

Student 

JULIANNE E. FREY 

Student 

ALEXIS J. . FRIEDMAN 

Student 

ELIZABETH FRIEDRICH- 

DEMIRAYAK 

AK, , ESQ. 

The Office of the Bronx 

District Attorney’s Office 

Bronx, NY 

FRANCES GOTHARD 

Student 

IVAN GRANT-WILLIAMS 

Student 

KASHANA HAMEED 

Student 

SHIVANIE HARRY 

Student 

JULIA JANN 

Student 

AMANDA KAPITULA 

Student 

LAUREN KARAS 

Student 

KAYL 

YLYN YN JANE KLOPP 

Student 

OLENA LEDENYOVA 

Student 

AUBREY LEFKOWITZ 

Student 

RACHAEL LIPTON 

Student 

EMILY LOMBARDI 

Student 

DANIELLE 

LORENZ-CUNNEEN 

Student 

SAMANTHA LYONS, ESQ. 

ISABELLA MENTA 

Student 

KUMBUKENI A. 

MJUWENI, ESQ. 

Manhattan Legal Services 

1 West 125th Street 


JESSICA M. MONASTRA 

Student 

DEANNA NICOLE 

NUSSBERGER 

Student 

LARA O’CALLAGHAN 

Student 

EVI LANE PATTERSON 

Student 

ESTEPHANIE PERALTA 

Student 

EMILY ANN PETERMANN 

Student 

Page 8 


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Westchester Women’s Bar Association New Members 

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

ANNA-LEAH POZNANSKI 

Student 

RACHEL Y. . RUBIN 

Student 

NICOLE TRENT 

Student 

EMILY C. PRUDENTE, , ESQ. 

Friedman & Friedman, PLLC 

120 Bloomingdale Road 

Suite 307 

White Plains, NY 10605 

emilyprudente@gmail.com 

KAILA PUGLIESE-TOBIN 

Student 

FRANCESCA ROCHA 

Student 

COREY B. ROSEN 

Student 

 

ALEXA SACCOMANNO 

Student 

COLIN J SCHMITT 

Student 

KIRA SEGAL 

Student 

ANNA M SEKIGUCHI 

Student 

HON. . VERRIS B. . SHAKO 

Yonkers City Court Judge 

100 S Broadway 

Yonkers, NY 10701 

Verrisbshako@gmail.com 

SHAYLA SILJKOVIC 

Student 

BIANCA VALENTI 

Student 

HEQING WANG 

Student 

KAYLEE WARD 

Student 

ELIZABETH WESCOE 

Student 

CASSIDY YELINCIC 

Student 

 

A Night of Networking 

Ilene Hartzband 

The WWBA’s Networking Committee hosted a Night of Networking 

at Wolf & Warrior Brewing Company in White Plains on 

October 12, 2023. The event, which was generously co-sponsored 

by IvyRehab Network and Dorman Mediation Services, 

LLC, provided an opportunity for WWBA members and law students 

to connect in a relaxed environment. It was well attended 

by approximately fifty (50) WWBA members, including many law 

students interested in learning what the WWBA has to offer. Students 

and newer WWBA members mingled with long-time members 

and discussed practice areas and interests, as well as WWBA 

committee offerings. The co-chairs of the Networking Committee, 

Ilene Hartzband, Jennifer Netrosio Johnson and Jessica 

Piperis, hope to see you at the Committee’s next event! ◗ 

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from page 7 

making donations to an organization, providing pro bono or low 

bono legal services, supporting a charitable cause or event through 

the WWBA, mentoring a law student, and/or presenting on a 

legal topic to help educate the legal community. As part of this 

challenge, if anyone would like to share their ideas as to how we 

can continue to “give back,” please do not hesitate to reach out. 

Thank you, I hope you have a happy Thanksgiving! ◗ 


Page 9

WWBA Schedule of Upcoming Events 

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

WWBA Board of Directors 

& General Membership 

Meetings 

Women in Professional 

Development Committee 

11/01/23 

5:30 p.m. Board 

Meeting 

6:00-7:30 p.m. 

GMM 

11/3/23 

12:00 p.m.-1:00 

p.m. 

WWBA 11/07/23 

12:00 p.m.-1:00 

p.m. 

Reproductive Health 

Committee Meeting 

11/29/23 

6:00 p.m. -7:00 

p.m. 

WWBA Book Club 12/04/23 

6:00 p.m. 

WWBA Board of Directors 

Meeting 

12/06/23 

5:30 p.m. Board 

Meeting 

WWBA Holiday Party 12/14/23 

5:30 p.m. -7:30 

p.m. 

City Square 

50 Main Street 

Lecture Hall 

White Plains, NY 

445 Café 

445 Hamilton Avenue, 

White Plains, NY and via 

Zoom 

Zoom 

Zoom 

185 Delhi Road 

Scarsdale, NY 

City Square, 

50 Main Street 

White Plains, NY 

The Woman’s Club of 

White Plains 

Grand Ballroom 

AI Tools & Techniques: 

A Primer for Legal 

Professionals 

First Friday Discussion 

“How to Make Online 

Connections 

Meaningful” 

Solving the Time 

Management Problem 

The Glass Castle 

By: Jeannette Walls 

See www.wwbany.org for details 


Register online by 11/30/23 at 

www.wwbany.org or via email at 

executivedirector@wwbany.org 

Online at www.wwbany.org or via 

email at 

executivedirector@wwbany.org 

Lisa Denig 

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 Nov 2023 Newsletter - M

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