WWBA Dec-Jan 2024 Newsletter
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<strong>WWBA</strong><br />
news<br />
DECEMBER 2023/JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
www.wwbany.org<br />
Westchester Women’s Bar Association<br />
<strong>WWBA</strong> SPREADS HOLIDAY CHEER<br />
Jennifer L. Gray<br />
T<br />
he <strong>WWBA</strong> celebrated the holidays with its members and guests on <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
14, 2023 in the beautiful ballroom of the C.V. Rich Mansion of The Woman’s<br />
Club of White Plains. Those in attendance had the pleasure of browsing the<br />
unique items offered for sale by the artisan vendors at the <strong>WWBA</strong> Holiday Party’s<br />
shopping boutique. In keeping with <strong>WWBA</strong> tradition, the spirit of giving was abundant<br />
as unwrapped holiday gifts for teens were collected for donation to Cardinal McCloskey<br />
Community Services and the Jewish Child Care Association. In addition, monetary<br />
donations were collected for the Westchester Women’s Bar Association Foundation<br />
and Feeding Westchester. Thank you to co-chairs Natanya Briendel and Michelle<br />
Calvi for organizing another successful <strong>WWBA</strong> Holiday Party and thank you to our<br />
generous sponsors. ◗<br />
More Holiday Parrty Photos on Page 4 ➥<br />
Lisa Norioan, Julie Kattan, Sherry Bishko,<br />
Hon. Kim Berg<br />
INSIDE THIS ISSUE<br />
DECEMBER 2023/<br />
JANUARY <strong>2024</strong><br />
A Tribute to Elisabeth<br />
Campos<br />
(page 5)<br />
An Interview with<br />
Tracy Forrest<br />
(page 6)<br />
Winter Coat Drive<br />
(page 9)<br />
Upcoming Events<br />
(Page 10)<br />
Amanda K. Rieben, Libby Rrahimi, Kaila<br />
Pugliese-Tobin, Christine Krager<br />
SAVE THE DATE<br />
PAYING IT FORWARD:<br />
EFFECTIVE MENTORSHIP<br />
<strong>Jan</strong>uary 25, <strong>2024</strong><br />
EMPOWERING<br />
PROFESSIONAL WOMEN<br />
February 1, <strong>2024</strong><br />
<strong>WWBA</strong> BOOK CLUB:<br />
Heaven and Earth<br />
Grocery Store<br />
February 5, <strong>2024</strong><br />
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP<br />
MEETING: ETHICS<br />
UPDATE <strong>2024</strong><br />
February 7, <strong>2024</strong><br />
Westchester Women’s Bar Association News<br />
PRESIDENT’S<br />
MESSAGE<br />
Amanda K.<br />
Rieben<br />
Happy New<br />
Year! With a new<br />
year upon us, we often<br />
reflect on the past<br />
year and what we are<br />
thankful for, and as<br />
we so often do, we<br />
make new year’s<br />
resolutions for the<br />
year to come. This<br />
year, I want to express<br />
my gratitude to the <strong>WWBA</strong>, its<br />
membership, board, and officers and<br />
directors for your continued support. I<br />
also want to encourage our readership,<br />
as one of your new year’s resolutions to<br />
help the <strong>WWBA</strong> increase our membership.<br />
Why? Because the <strong>WWBA</strong> is one<br />
of your local bar associations, comprised<br />
of lawyers and judges, who live and/or<br />
work in Westchester County that can help<br />
connect you with various resources and<br />
with other members in the legal community.<br />
The <strong>WWBA</strong> is also currently the<br />
second largest chapter of our parent organization,<br />
the Women’s Bar Association<br />
of the State of New York<br />
(“WBASNY”), which is the largest statewide<br />
women’s bar association in the<br />
country. Through WBASNY, the <strong>WWBA</strong><br />
provides its membership with the opportunity<br />
to have an influential voice regarding<br />
various legislative, judicial and public<br />
policy matters at the state level. The<br />
<strong>WWBA</strong> also offers several networking<br />
opportunities, legal seminars, Continuing<br />
Legal Education programs, social<br />
events, including but not limited to the<br />
<strong>WWBA</strong> Holiday Party and Annual Dincontinued<br />
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 />
DECEMBER 2023/JANUARY <strong>2024</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 />
~ 2023/<strong>2024</strong> 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>2024</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 />
2023-<strong>2024</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 K. 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 .............................................. Tanya Briendel, Ilene Hartzband<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 M. 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, Christine Paska, 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, Karen J. Walsh<br />
Gender Dynamics ..................... Angela DiBiasi, Hon. Elena Goldberg<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,<br />
Hon. Elena Goldberg, Jacqueline Hattar<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, Natalie Sobchak<br />
Reproductive Rights ........................... Natanya Briendel, Juliet Gobler<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 />
“The <strong>WWBA</strong> is critical<br />
to the development and<br />
success of the next<br />
generation of lawyers,<br />
and is one of the<br />
pinnacles of our legal<br />
community.”<br />
ner, as well as a robust mentorship program.<br />
We also partner with many community<br />
providers, to help support the public in<br />
both a legal and non-legal capacity.<br />
For me, the <strong>WWBA</strong> represents much<br />
more than this. The <strong>WWBA</strong> is critical to the<br />
development and success of the next generation<br />
of lawyers, and is one of the pinnacles<br />
of our legal community. It is hard to<br />
believe, but when I first joined the <strong>WWBA</strong><br />
over nine years ago after the birth of my first<br />
daughter, I did not know anyone who lived<br />
and/or worked in Westchester County. This<br />
rapidly changed thanks to our members,<br />
many of whom instinctively devoted their<br />
time to supporting, mentoring, and encouraging<br />
my professional and personal growth.<br />
I can confidently say that the <strong>WWBA</strong> has<br />
had a positive life-long lasting impact on<br />
my career and professional development,<br />
and I am certain that many other members<br />
share my sentiment.<br />
I want to help ensure that current and<br />
future law students and lawyers are afforded<br />
the same opportunities I have had through<br />
the <strong>WWBA</strong>. This is why I am now calling<br />
upon you, our readership, to help the<br />
<strong>WWBA</strong> increase our membership numbers.<br />
The size of our membership directly correlates<br />
to the far-reaching impact that we can<br />
have on our legal community. Our membership<br />
numbers also affect the number of<br />
delegates who can attend the WBASNY<br />
State-Wide Board meetings, which in turn<br />
impacts the number of our votes on policies<br />
and other state-wide matters. On or<br />
before <strong>Jan</strong>uary 31, <strong>2024</strong>, our goal is to<br />
reach 400 members who have joined or<br />
renewed their <strong>WWBA</strong> membership during<br />
our Second Certification period (October<br />
1, 2023, through <strong>Jan</strong>uary 31, <strong>2024</strong>). We<br />
continued on page 7 ➥<br />
Editor’s Note<br />
“For time and the world do not stand still. Change is the law of life. And those<br />
who look only to the past or the present are certain to miss the future.”<br />
~ John F. Kennedy<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
THE WESTCHESTER WOMEN’S BAR ASSOCIATION<br />
SPREADS HOLIDAY CHEER<br />
Nikolette Nrekaj, Hon. Mary Anne<br />
Scattaretico-Naber, Jacqueline Hattar<br />
Amanda K. Rieben, Jacqueline Hattar,<br />
Nikolette Nrekaj<br />
The calm before the festivities<br />
Shopping at the holiday boutique<br />
Page 4<br />
Westchester Women’s Bar Association News
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Thank you to Elisabeth Campos<br />
A Farewell and Tribute<br />
Angela Morcone Giannini<br />
“She is ’The One’” was the consensus of the interview committee<br />
upon interviewing Elisabeth Campos for the position<br />
of <strong>WWBA</strong> Executive Director some 8 years ago. She has<br />
remained “The One” for our Association ever since.<br />
“Elisabeth with the S”, as she is<br />
fondly referred to, has been an outstanding<br />
Executive Director. Her attributes are<br />
many. To name a few, she is dedicated<br />
beyond compare, hardworking, detail<br />
oriented, organized and has always<br />
been willing to take on tasks beyond<br />
her job description. To her credit, she is<br />
very unassuming and humble, and I<br />
know as she reads this her face is turning<br />
red because to her credit, she seeks<br />
no limelight or accolades for her work,<br />
although she so deserves them.<br />
She has been a sounding board<br />
and a calm and reassuring force to<br />
many presidents as they assume the role<br />
of leading our Association. Having an<br />
Executive Director like Elisabeth is invalu-<br />
able to our President and her Executive<br />
Board as the new term transition takes<br />
place, as well as throughout the entire<br />
year.<br />
I can never capture in one article<br />
all the work Elisabeth has accomplished<br />
for the <strong>WWBA</strong> over the years, but I<br />
would be remiss if I did not highlight a<br />
few very important ones.<br />
Elisabeth has been instrumental in<br />
streamlining our Programs and CLE process.<br />
This has helped our organization<br />
promote our members and the vast educational<br />
opportunities offered by our<br />
Association.<br />
She has worked tirelessly on our<br />
Website, updating it, making it user<br />
friendly and keeping us current. The<br />
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Website is vital to our Association and<br />
Elisabeth has made us so proud of its<br />
extensive content and beautiful presentation.<br />
This vital tool has also assisted<br />
in new and renewal memberships and<br />
program participation.<br />
Most importantly, during the Covid<br />
continued on page 7 ➥<br />
Westchester Women’s Bar Association News<br />
Page 5
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○<br />
An Interview with Tracy Forrest<br />
Susan L. Pollet<br />
Chair of the Archive and<br />
Historian Committee<br />
Q: When and why did you<br />
become involved with the<br />
<strong>WWBA</strong>?<br />
A: I have practiced real estate<br />
law for over 30 years,<br />
but until recently it was exclusively<br />
in New York City.<br />
I recently changed careers<br />
and am now the Deputy<br />
General Counsel in<br />
charge of business development<br />
and sales for a<br />
title insurance agency in<br />
White Plains. I joined the<br />
<strong>WWBA</strong> so that I could network,<br />
meet new people,<br />
socialize and share career<br />
experiences. I first became<br />
involved in the<br />
<strong>WWBA</strong> in May, 2022. My<br />
first in-person experience<br />
with the bar association<br />
was attending the annual<br />
dinner. I was curious, but<br />
at the same time, not sure<br />
what to expect. I was not<br />
even sure whether I could<br />
attend since I am male.<br />
Despite my reservations, I<br />
was presently surprised. I<br />
had a great time, met a<br />
lot of new people and got<br />
re-acquainted with some<br />
friends I had not seen in<br />
years.<br />
Q: In what ways have you<br />
been active in the<br />
Westchester Women’s Bar<br />
Association?<br />
A: Since my experience at<br />
the annual dinner was so<br />
positive, I applied to become<br />
one of the chairs of<br />
the Real Property Committee<br />
and I was selected. As<br />
one of the chairs, I have<br />
been very active in organizing<br />
Continuing Legal<br />
“I believe bar associations,<br />
especially the <strong>WWBA</strong>, can play a<br />
vital role in the professional and<br />
personal lives of lawyers. My<br />
goal is to remain an active<br />
member and to recruit others<br />
who may need a little convincing.”<br />
Education courses in conjunction<br />
with the Westchester<br />
County Bar Association<br />
(WCBA). In my first year as<br />
co-chair, I organized and<br />
moderated a CLE entitled<br />
“The Emerging Legal Cannabis<br />
Industry in New York:<br />
What Real Estate Practitioners<br />
Need to Know” and organized,<br />
moderated and<br />
sponsored a CLE entitled<br />
“20 Commercial Leasing<br />
Practice Pointers in 60 Minutes<br />
or Less.” In addition, I<br />
helped organize a “Pop<br />
Up” social which allows<br />
practitioners to attend a networking<br />
event without any<br />
cost and without committing<br />
to the event in advance. It<br />
allows practitioners to just<br />
“pop up” at the very last<br />
minute if their schedule allows.<br />
I also regularly attend<br />
the monthly board meetings<br />
and attend networking events<br />
like the holiday party. Lastly,<br />
at this year’s annual dinner,<br />
I was installed as a State Director.<br />
Q: Please tell us about your<br />
legal career.<br />
A: I am a real estate lawyer<br />
with over 30 years of experience<br />
in the field. I have specialized<br />
in real estate clos-<br />
ings, residential and commercial<br />
landlord/tenant<br />
matters including trials and<br />
commercial litigation. I spent<br />
the first 13 years of his career<br />
in private practice including<br />
a large landlord/<br />
tenant firm in New York City.<br />
After being in private<br />
practice, I then joined the<br />
New York City Housing Authority<br />
(NYCHA) where I<br />
moved up the ranks over 20<br />
years. For the better part of<br />
last 6 years, I was Division<br />
Chief of the Landlord/Tenant<br />
Division responsible for<br />
supervising a team of lawyers,<br />
paralegals and support<br />
staff. At NYCHA, I was also<br />
responsible for creating and<br />
presenting seminars where I<br />
lectured on housing court<br />
procedures to New York City<br />
judges and approximately<br />
750 property managers and<br />
their staff. As Division Chief,<br />
I was also the point person<br />
to property managers regarding<br />
their legal needs. I<br />
was also hand selected to be<br />
the Holdover Coordinator<br />
for the mayoral “Operation<br />
Safe Housing” program,<br />
which expedited cases involving<br />
highly non-desirable<br />
tenants who committed serious<br />
crimes.<br />
In May, 2022, I<br />
Tracy Forrest<br />
changed careers and became<br />
the Deputy General<br />
Counsel for Statewide Abstract<br />
Corp., the largest<br />
family-owned title insurance<br />
agency in<br />
Westchester which has<br />
been in business for over<br />
40 years. I am responsible<br />
for business development/<br />
sales and handle commercial<br />
matters nationwide<br />
and residential matters in<br />
New York and Connecticut.<br />
In this role, it has been an<br />
asset to have over 30 years<br />
of experience being a real<br />
estate lawyer especially<br />
since I have experience<br />
handling closings and can<br />
provide legal advice. I<br />
oversee/supervise transactions<br />
from contract to closing.<br />
My goal is to provide<br />
practical solutions to problem<br />
transactions that are<br />
not routine. When I am not<br />
working on transactions, I<br />
teach CLE/CE programs.<br />
In my first year in this field,<br />
I personally gave a CLE<br />
entitled “10 Ways to Optimize<br />
Rent Collection” and<br />
another entitled “Surveys:<br />
The Title Basics.”<br />
continued on page 7 ➥<br />
Page 6<br />
Westchester Women’s Bar Association News
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A Farewell Tribute to<br />
Elisabeth Campos<br />
from page 5<br />
“I can never capture in one article all<br />
the work Elisabeth has accomplished<br />
for the <strong>WWBA</strong> over the years . . .”<br />
epidemic, Elisabeth helped us pivot quickly to a virtual platform.<br />
Westchester was one of the first Chapters to have virtual<br />
meetings and programs. This allowed our members to<br />
“see each other” which was so very important during a very<br />
unsettled and trying time. The virtual platform also allowed<br />
us to continue our work and offer our members resources<br />
and educational opportunities. She even managed to assist<br />
us in having our Annual Dinner presentation that year virtually!<br />
Our Holiday Party and Annual Dinner are two events<br />
our members and community enjoy. Behind the scenes, it is<br />
Elisabeth who organized the events from the invitations, RSVPs,<br />
guests lists, table seating, the program and awards. Her hard<br />
work has been responsible for our very successful and enjoyable<br />
events.<br />
Elisabeth, we thank you for all you have done for the<br />
<strong>WWBA</strong>! We will so miss you! We wish you well in your new<br />
endeavor. We know you will excel, just how you have excelled<br />
at the <strong>WWBA</strong>. Farewell, our friend, and know that the<br />
friendships you have established at the <strong>WWBA</strong> are cherished<br />
and will continue. ◗<br />
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President’s Message<br />
from page 3<br />
currently have 357 members who count toward our certification.<br />
While one can easily access numerous legal seminars and<br />
CLE programs online, there is no substitute for the personal connections<br />
and individual guidance that an individual can receive<br />
through a bar organization and its supportive members. Additionally,<br />
the <strong>WWBA</strong> also has an amazing mentorship program, currently<br />
comprised of 54 lawyers, who mentor 63 law students.<br />
Through the mentorship program, the <strong>WWBA</strong> also hosts several<br />
events, including three upcoming evening events on February 6th,<br />
March 13th, and April 2nd, at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law<br />
at Pace University in the Tudor Room. The February event will<br />
include a panel on Family Law moderated by students. In March<br />
the mentorship committee is hosting a speed networking event which<br />
will enable students to move from table to table to ask questions of<br />
each “mentor.” In April a career panel featuring diverse practitioners<br />
will offer students the opportunity to inquire about the practice<br />
of law in various substantive fields and settings such as government,<br />
private practice, and education. These types of events also<br />
afford law students invaluable guidance and support, particularly<br />
at the beginning of that individual’s legal career. In fact, our<br />
mentorship program has been so successful that other chapters of<br />
WBASNY have sought guidance from our Co-Chairs (Christine<br />
Paska, Sherry Bishko, and the Honorable Kim Berg) on how to<br />
implement their own successful mentorship programs.<br />
My challenge to you this <strong>Jan</strong>uary is to reach out to your coworkers,<br />
your friends, and at least one law student that you may<br />
know, and encourage them to join the <strong>WWBA</strong>. This challenge will<br />
not only impact the <strong>WWBA</strong>’s involvement at the state level, but it<br />
will also benefit the next generation of lawyers. ◗<br />
An Interview with Tracy Forrest<br />
from previous page<br />
Q: Which community activities<br />
are you involved in?<br />
A: I am also the co-chair<br />
the Real Property Committee<br />
of the Westchester<br />
County Bar Association<br />
(WCBA) and an active<br />
member of the Real Property<br />
Committee of the New<br />
York City Bar Association.<br />
I was just recently appointed<br />
to serve on the<br />
Cooperative & Condominium<br />
Law Committee of<br />
the New York City Bar Association.<br />
I am also an<br />
active member of the<br />
Building & Realty Institute<br />
of Westchester (BRI) and the<br />
Westchester Owners’ Association<br />
(WOA). I also regular<br />
attend my village’s affordable<br />
housing meetings.<br />
Lastly, one of my sons is still<br />
in high school and I hope to<br />
be selected to be the boys’<br />
varsity tennis coach.<br />
Q: How have you balanced<br />
your legal career with your<br />
personal life?<br />
A: No sleep! LOL. I usually<br />
start my day at 4 am, on the<br />
tennis court with my son at 6<br />
am and regularly home for<br />
dinner so I can spend time<br />
with my family and<br />
Maltipoo, “Rambo.”<br />
Q: What do you wish to accomplish<br />
in the future?<br />
A: I changed career paths<br />
shortly after the pandemic<br />
ended. I have spoken to<br />
many lawyers in the community<br />
and asked them about<br />
their experiences with bar<br />
associations before Covid<br />
and I was very surprised to<br />
learn that bar associations<br />
played a much larger role<br />
with its members before the<br />
pandemic. I have been told<br />
that the number of lawyers<br />
attending general bar association<br />
meetings, committee<br />
meetings and networking<br />
events has substantially diminished<br />
in the last couple<br />
of years. It has come to<br />
my attention that many<br />
lawyers are no longer taking<br />
advantage of the benefits<br />
that bar associations<br />
and committee membership<br />
have to offer. I believe<br />
bar associations, especially<br />
the <strong>WWBA</strong>, can<br />
play a vital role in the professional<br />
and personal<br />
lives of lawyers. My goal<br />
is to remain an active<br />
member and to recruit others<br />
who may need a little<br />
convincing. ◗<br />
Westchester Women’s Bar Association News<br />
Page 7
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Chapter News and Announcements<br />
Announcements and Notes on Members<br />
❑ Congratulations to <strong>WWBA</strong> President Amanda K. Rieben on being elevated to<br />
Partner at Abrams Fensterman LLP! Amanda practices in the Family and Matrimonial<br />
Law department of the firm’s White Plains office. ◗<br />
Part-Time Position Announcement<br />
<strong>WWBA</strong> Executive Director<br />
APPLICATIONS DUE BY MONDAY, , JANUAR<br />
ARY 22, <strong>2024</strong><br />
The Westchester Women’s Bar Association (<strong>WWBA</strong>) is a professional organization<br />
of lawyers and judges who live or work in Westchester County, with over 500 members<br />
is one of the largest chapters of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York<br />
(WBASNY).<br />
Reporting to the <strong>WWBA</strong> President and Executive Board, the Executive Director will<br />
have several operational responsibilities, including but not limited to oversight of the<br />
<strong>WWBA</strong>’s programs, membership, e-newsletters, and social media/website administration.<br />
The Executive Director will help ensure ongoing program excellence, furtherance<br />
of the <strong>WWBA</strong>’s strategic goals, management of systems and finance, and quality communication<br />
with board, membership and the public.<br />
Qualifications and Skills<br />
❑ Proven leadership and relationship management<br />
experience;<br />
❑ Self-directed and mission-driven with integrity<br />
and a positive attitude;<br />
❑ Strong written and verbal communications skills<br />
and commitment to quality work;<br />
❑ Action-oriented, adaptable and innovative<br />
approach;<br />
❑ Ability to work effectively in collaboration with<br />
Key Duties and Responsibilities<br />
❑ Maintain <strong>WWBA</strong> website, calendar and membership<br />
database;<br />
❑ Membership: Including processing all new and<br />
renewal membership applications, on-line payments,<br />
reports, distribution lists, directories, membership<br />
reports, and membership certification;<br />
❑ Website: Overall management and ongoing<br />
posting and updates to <strong>WWBA</strong> website. Ensure<br />
website and payment systems are always secure,<br />
up to date, and functional;<br />
❑ Calendar and Programs: Posting and notification<br />
of <strong>WWBA</strong> programs and events, reminders,<br />
on-line payments, and reporting to program sponsors;<br />
❑ Adhere to WBASNY requirements and certifications;<br />
❑ Regular communications via email and written<br />
correspondence with <strong>WWBA</strong> membership, Board<br />
Members, Officers, Executive Committee and<br />
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diverse groups of people;<br />
❑ Marketing, public relations and fundraising<br />
experience;<br />
❑ Proficient in Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, Access,<br />
Outlook, Adobe and familiarity with Wild<br />
Apricot Program useful;<br />
❑ Website maintenance: including social media<br />
graphics and posting, and ability to format, crop<br />
and resize photos, etc.<br />
Committee Co-chairs throughout the year, including<br />
several mass mailings;<br />
❑ Assist the <strong>WWBA</strong> Treasurer with financial transactions,<br />
including recording and management of<br />
the same, familiarity of QuickBooks helpful; membership,<br />
program, event and sponsorship payments;<br />
reconciliation of monthly bank statements;<br />
asset reconciliation reports tri-annually; and regularly<br />
prepare back-up reports of incoming checks<br />
and transfers;<br />
❑ Proofread the monthly newsletter and provide<br />
membership information for content;<br />
❑ Assist with coordination of events including<br />
Annual Dinner, Holiday Party, and Programs.<br />
❑ Attend major events: Annual Dinner, Holiday<br />
Party and assist with registration;<br />
❑ Regularly retrieve and return telephone calls<br />
and pick-up mail from the <strong>WWBA</strong> Post Office<br />
Box;<br />
Additional<br />
Bachelor’s degree preferred, but not required.<br />
This is a part-time, work-at-home position, 12-15 hours per week, with periodic attendance<br />
at events in Westchester County area and weekly mail retrieval in Westchester.<br />
Hourly salary range $30-$35 commensurate with experience.<br />
Please send current resume and hourly salary requirement to <strong>WWBA</strong> President, Amanda<br />
Rieben: arieben@abramslaw.com. ◗<br />
Become a New<br />
Member Today<br />
RENEW YOUR<br />
<strong>WWBA</strong> MEMBERSHIP TODAY<br />
FOR THE PERIOD<br />
JUNE 1, 2023 TO MAY 31, <strong>2024</strong>.<br />
RENEW NOW! DON’T WAIT!<br />
<strong>WWBA</strong> Membership includes<br />
membership to the Women’s Bar<br />
Association of the State of New York<br />
(WBASNY).<br />
<strong>Jan</strong>uary 31, <strong>2024</strong> is the closing date in<br />
order to count the <strong>WWBA</strong> members<br />
towards our certification to WBASNY and<br />
assure our number of delegates.<br />
Renewing before this date will allow our<br />
Westchester Chapter (<strong>WWBA</strong>) to continue<br />
to be a strong presence in our statewide<br />
organization (WBASNY) while you will<br />
enjoy its many benefits, events,<br />
newsletter and CLE programming.<br />
Hélène Côté, Sherry A. Bishko,<br />
Elisabeth Campos<br />
It is easy to renew by going to the<br />
<strong>WWBA</strong> Website at www.<strong>WWBA</strong>NY.org.<br />
You can use a credit card or<br />
PayPal to make payment.<br />
Page 8<br />
Westchester Women’s Bar Association News
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 />
Successful Winter Coat Drive<br />
More than 50 pieces of winter apparel were collected in<br />
the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office for the<br />
Westchester Women’s Bar Association and Westchester<br />
County Bar Association’s third annual winter coat drive<br />
benefitting local charities including Lifting Up Westchester<br />
and the Grasslands Homeless Shelter.<br />
ADAs Leigh Wellington, Jill Oziemblewski (Westchester<br />
Women’s Bar Association Vice President), Elizabeth Z. Marcus<br />
(<strong>WWBA</strong> Immediate Past President), Catalina Blanco Buitrago<br />
Westchester Women’s Bar Association News<br />
Page 9
<strong>WWBA</strong> Schedule of Upcoming Events<br />
COMMITTEE DATE/TIME PLACE TOPIC RSVP (also online at www.wwbany.org)<br />
<strong>WWBA</strong> and Mid-Hudson<br />
Women’s Bar Association<br />
Diversity, Equity &<br />
Inclusion Committee,<br />
Mentorship Committee &<br />
Employment Law<br />
Committee<br />
WBASNY Board of<br />
Directors Meeting<br />
Reproductive Health<br />
Committee Meeting<br />
Diversity, Equity and<br />
Inclusion Committee<br />
1/17/24<br />
6:00-8:00 p.m.<br />
1/25/24<br />
5:30 p.m. –<br />
Registration/Net<br />
working<br />
6:00-7:00 p.m. –<br />
Program<br />
Light supper will<br />
be provided<br />
Zoom<br />
1/27/24 Zoom<br />
1/31/24<br />
6:00 -7:00 p.m.<br />
2/1/24<br />
11:45 a.m. –<br />
Registration<br />
12:00-1:00 p.m.<br />
Program<br />
<strong>WWBA</strong> Book Club 2/5/24<br />
6:00 p.m.<br />
<strong>WWBA</strong> Board of Directors<br />
& General Membership<br />
Meetings<br />
Reproductive Health<br />
Committee Meeting<br />
2/7/24<br />
5:30 p.m. Board<br />
Meeting<br />
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.<br />
GMM<br />
Light supper will<br />
be provided<br />
2/28/24<br />
6:00 -7:00 p.m.<br />
Wilson Elser Moskowitz<br />
Edelman & Dicker, LLP<br />
1133 Westchester<br />
Avenue, White Plains<br />
Zoom<br />
Dorf Nelson & Zauderer<br />
LLP, 555 Theodore<br />
Fremd Avenue, Rye<br />
Tanya Briendel’s Home<br />
City Square, 50 Main<br />
Street, Lecture Hall,<br />
White Plains<br />
Zoom<br />
CPLR Update CLE by<br />
the Honorable Mark<br />
Dillon<br />
Paying it Forward:<br />
Effective Mentorship<br />
and Sponsorship for<br />
Personal and<br />
Professional Growth<br />
Empowering<br />
Professional Women:<br />
Navigating the “Yes”<br />
Dilemma, Overcoming<br />
Guilt, and Mastering<br />
Work-Life Integration<br />
The Heaven and Earth<br />
Grocery Store<br />
By: James McBride<br />
Ethics Update <strong>2024</strong>:<br />
Dishonored Checks,<br />
Billing and A.I. – Oh<br />
My! Staying Out of<br />
Trouble – Old and New<br />
Issues<br />
2 CLE Credits (Ethics<br />
& Professionalism)<br />
Email:<br />
midhudsonWBA@gmail.com<br />
See www.wwbany.org for details<br />
Online at www.wwbany.org or via<br />
email at<br />
executivedirector@wwbany.org<br />
Online at www.wwbany.org or via<br />
email at<br />
executivedirector@wwbany.org<br />
Online at www.wwbany.org or via<br />
email at<br />
executivedirector@wwbany.org<br />
Lisa Denig<br />
lisadenig@yahoo.com<br />
Online at www.wwbany.org or via<br />
email at<br />
executivedirector@wwbany.org<br />
Online at www.wwbany.org or via<br />
email at<br />
executivedirector@wwbany.org<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 />
2023-<strong>2024</strong> BEGINS ON JUNE 1, 2023.<br />
PLEASE RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP TOD<br />
ODAY AT<br />
WWW.<strong>WWBA</strong>NY<br />
.<strong>WWBA</strong>NY.ORG<br />
.ORG