WWBA Dec-Jan 2024 Newsletter

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Pollet Chair of the Archive and Historian Committee Q: When and why did you become involved with the WWBA? A: I have practiced real estate law for over 30 years, but until recently it was exclusively in New York City. I recently changed careers and am now the Deputy General Counsel in charge of business development and sales for a title insurance agency in White Plains. I joined the WWBA so that I could network, meet new people, socialize and share career experiences. I first became involved in the WWBA in May, 2022. My first in-person experience with the bar association was attending the annual dinner. I was curious, but at the same time, not sure what to expect. I was not even sure whether I could attend since I am male. Despite my reservations, I was presently surprised. I had a great time, met a lot of new people and got re-acquainted with some friends I had not seen in years. Q: In what ways have you been active in the Westchester Women’s Bar Association? A: Since my experience at the annual dinner was so positive, I applied to become one of the chairs of the Real Property Committee and I was selected. As one of the chairs, I have been very active in organizing Continuing Legal “I believe bar associations, especially the WWBA, can play a vital role in the professional and personal lives of lawyers. My goal is to remain an active member and to recruit others who may need a little convincing.” Education courses in conjunction with the Westchester County Bar Association (WCBA). In my first year as co-chair, I organized and moderated a CLE entitled “The Emerging Legal Cannabis Industry in New York: What Real Estate Practitioners Need to Know” and organized, moderated and sponsored a CLE entitled “20 Commercial Leasing Practice Pointers in 60 Minutes or Less.” In addition, I helped organize a “Pop Up” social which allows practitioners to attend a networking event without any cost and without committing to the event in advance. It allows practitioners to just “pop up” at the very last minute if their schedule allows. I also regularly attend the monthly board meetings and attend networking events like the holiday party. Lastly, at this year’s annual dinner, I was installed as a State Director. Q: Please tell us about your legal career. A: I am a real estate lawyer with over 30 years of experience in the field. I have specialized in real estate closings, residential and commercial landlord/tenant matters including trials and commercial litigation. I spent the first 13 years of his career in private practice including a large landlord/ tenant firm in New York City. After being in private practice, I then joined the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) where I moved up the ranks over 20 years. For the better part of last 6 years, I was Division Chief of the Landlord/Tenant Division responsible for supervising a team of lawyers, paralegals and support staff. At NYCHA, I was also responsible for creating and presenting seminars where I lectured on housing court procedures to New York City judges and approximately 750 property managers and their staff. As Division Chief, I was also the point person to property managers regarding their legal needs. I was also hand selected to be the Holdover Coordinator for the mayoral “Operation Safe Housing” program, which expedited cases involving highly non-desirable tenants who committed serious crimes. In May, 2022, I Tracy Forrest changed careers and became the Deputy General Counsel for Statewide Abstract Corp., the largest family-owned title insurance agency in Westchester which has been in business for over 40 years. I am responsible for business development/ sales and handle commercial matters nationwide and residential matters in New York and Connecticut. In this role, it has been an asset to have over 30 years of experience being a real estate lawyer especially since I have experience handling closings and can provide legal advice. I oversee/supervise transactions from contract to closing. My goal is to provide practical solutions to problem transactions that are not routine. When I am not working on transactions, I teach CLE/CE programs. In my first year in this field, I personally gave a CLE entitled “10 Ways to Optimize Rent Collection” and another entitled “Surveys: The Title Basics.” continued on page 7 ➥ Page 6 Westchester Women’s Bar Association News
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ A Farewell Tribute to Elisabeth Campos from page 5 “I can never capture in one article all the work Elisabeth has accomplished for the WWBA over the years . . .” epidemic, Elisabeth helped us pivot quickly to a virtual platform. Westchester was one of the first Chapters to have virtual meetings and programs. This allowed our members to “see each other” which was so very important during a very unsettled and trying time. The virtual platform also allowed us to continue our work and offer our members resources and educational opportunities. She even managed to assist us in having our Annual Dinner presentation that year virtually! Our Holiday Party and Annual Dinner are two events our members and community enjoy. Behind the scenes, it is Elisabeth who organized the events from the invitations, RSVPs, guests lists, table seating, the program and awards. Her hard work has been responsible for our very successful and enjoyable events. Elisabeth, we thank you for all you have done for the WWBA! We will so miss you! We wish you well in your new endeavor. We know you will excel, just how you have excelled at the WWBA. Farewell, our friend, and know that the friendships you have established at the WWBA are cherished and will continue. ◗ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ President’s Message from page 3 currently have 357 members who count toward our certification. While one can easily access numerous legal seminars and CLE programs online, there is no substitute for the personal connections and individual guidance that an individual can receive through a bar organization and its supportive members. Additionally, the WWBA also has an amazing mentorship program, currently comprised of 54 lawyers, who mentor 63 law students. Through the mentorship program, the WWBA also hosts several events, including three upcoming evening events on February 6th, March 13th, and April 2nd, at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University in the Tudor Room. The February event will include a panel on Family Law moderated by students. In March the mentorship committee is hosting a speed networking event which will enable students to move from table to table to ask questions of each “mentor.” In April a career panel featuring diverse practitioners will offer students the opportunity to inquire about the practice of law in various substantive fields and settings such as government, private practice, and education. These types of events also afford law students invaluable guidance and support, particularly at the beginning of that individual’s legal career. In fact, our mentorship program has been so successful that other chapters of WBASNY have sought guidance from our Co-Chairs (Christine Paska, Sherry Bishko, and the Honorable Kim Berg) on how to implement their own successful mentorship programs. My challenge to you this January is to reach out to your coworkers, your friends, and at least one law student that you may know, and encourage them to join the WWBA. This challenge will not only impact the WWBA’s involvement at the state level, but it will also benefit the next generation of lawyers. ◗ An Interview with Tracy Forrest from previous page Q: Which community activities are you involved in? A: I am also the co-chair the Real Property Committee of the Westchester County Bar Association (WCBA) and an active member of the Real Property Committee of the New York City Bar Association. I was just recently appointed to serve on the Cooperative & Condominium Law Committee of the New York City Bar Association. I am also an active member of the Building & Realty Institute of Westchester (BRI) and the Westchester Owners’ Association (WOA). I also regular attend my village’s affordable housing meetings. Lastly, one of my sons is still in high school and I hope to be selected to be the boys’ varsity tennis coach. Q: How have you balanced your legal career with your personal life? A: No sleep! LOL. I usually start my day at 4 am, on the tennis court with my son at 6 am and regularly home for dinner so I can spend time with my family and Maltipoo, “Rambo.” Q: What do you wish to accomplish in the future? A: I changed career paths shortly after the pandemic ended. I have spoken to many lawyers in the community and asked them about their experiences with bar associations before Covid and I was very surprised to learn that bar associations played a much larger role with its members before the pandemic. I have been told that the number of lawyers attending general bar association meetings, committee meetings and networking events has substantially diminished in the last couple of years. It has come to my attention that many lawyers are no longer taking advantage of the benefits that bar associations and committee membership have to offer. I believe bar associations, especially the WWBA, can play a vital role in the professional and personal lives of lawyers. My goal is to remain an active member and to recruit others who may need a little convincing. ◗ Westchester Women’s Bar Association News Page 7
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WWBA Dec-Jan 2024 Newsletter

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