WWBA Nov 2023 Newsletter - M

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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 Westchester Women’s Bar Association News
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 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. ◗ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ President’s Message 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, continued on page 9 ➥ Westchester Women’s Bar Association News 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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WWBA Nov 2023 Newsletter - M

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