WWBA May 2026 Newsletter

Message from the President
By Jill Oziemblewski
It has been an extraordinary honor to serve as President of the
Westchester Women’s Bar Association during this landmark year,
which marked our 50th Anniversary and Jubilee. This milestone
offered us the opportunity not only to reflect on our rich history,
but also to reaffirm our mission of advancing and supporting
women in the legal profession. Our programs brought together
past leaders, current members, and future generations,
highlighting the enduring strength and impact of our organization
over five decades. We look forward to celebrating with everyone
and setting the path forward at the Annual Dinner and Installation
of Officers on June 3, 2026.
The last month of my Presidency began with joining the Saturday
hiking group for a walk in Katonah on May 2, 2026. The day was
cool with sun through the clouds; the Muscoot Reservoir looked
WWBA President
Jill Oziemblewski
glassy and still, and, importantly, full. We thank Marie A. Corliss, Esq., Principal Attorney
and founding member of Corliss Law Group, P.C., along with her team, for conceiving these
easy Saturday hikes around Westchester. It gives us a wonderful way to begin the weekend
with some air and conversation.
Health and wellness initiatives have been a consistent part of my platform, but the WWBA
has long recognized the benefits of promoting health and wellness to offset the demands of
legal practice. Many past Presidents have offered golf outings, apple picking, step
challenges, or other walking opportunities, and of course we all appreciate outdoor
networking events, especially when the weather works in our favor!
In a field that is tightly linked to high stress, long hours, adversarial work, and constant
deadlines, initiatives that support wellness aren’t just “nice to have,” but directly affect
whether attorneys can function effectively over time. As attorneys we are obligated to
provide competent and ethical representation. Chronic stress, poor mental health, or
substance misuse can impair judgment, diligence, and communication—core duties of the
profession. Promoting wellness helps protect those standards. There’s also a clear
community-building benefit. While legal work can be isolating or overly competitive,
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wellness events create lower-pressure environments where members can connect as
people, not just as counsel.
Lastly, from a retention and sustainability angle, the profession has well-documented
attrition issues, especially among early-career attorneys. If a bar association, like ours,
strives for a stable, diverse, and engaged membership base, we cannot ignore the
conditions that push people out. Wellness initiatives help people stay in the field longer,
and bar associations are increasingly expected to lead on well-being.
For a quick wellness year-in-review, our first General Membership Meeting in September
featured a question-and-answer session with Dr. Kimberly Bonds Grocher, a licensed
psychotherapist, executive coach, and speaker, known for her work in mental health,
wellness, and leadership development. Dr. Grocher spoke with members about “Thriving
in the Chaos: Mastering the Professional-Caregiver Balance,” addressing the common
circumstance when professionals are required to look after the care of others close to
them.
Also in Fall 2025, the WWBA entered teams in the Westchester Heart Walk, benefiting the
American Heart Association, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, benefiting the Alzheimer’s
Association, and Making Strides of Westchester, benefiting the American Cancer Society
(joining the pacesetting Team ORBACH). We raised significant funds while spending
empowering days with chapter members and the broader community.
On October 25, 2025, the WWBA Wellness Committee arranged a private tour of botanical
highlights and an all-around rejuvenating afternoon at the New York Botanical Garden. On
November 13, 2025, the committee presented a virtual program, “Pelvic Health Across the
Lifespan: What Every Woman Should Know,” at which Geri White PT, DPT, WCS, Pelvic
Health Physical Therapist & Owner of Hudson Valley Physical Therapy (Hartsdale)
demystified pelvic health through every stage of a woman’s life, from young adulthood to
menopause and beyond.
More recently, on April 23, 2026, the WWBA Wellness Committee, together with the
Westchester County Bar Association Well-Being Committee, coordinated “The 5 Daily
Resets,” a presentation and workshop with Jennifer Monness, founder of JLM Wellness.
Jennifer is a Stress Education Specialist and Nervous System Regulation Strategist, who
partners with companies, healthcare systems, universities, and leadership teams to help
high-performing professionals manage chronic stress, improve focus, communicate more
effectively, and sustain performance without burning out. During the session Jennifer
walked us through five “resets”—a framework of small, repeatable daily practices identified
as movement, breathwork, mindfulness and mindset, sleep recovery, and nutrition for
resilience. After having time to practice some of the techniques, participants left feeling
more connected and centered, and with a more complete understanding of how making
time for these practices can support our performance throughout the workday.
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Thank you to the sponsors whose generosity made this important April wellness program
possible: TrustHouse Elite Private In-Home Nursing and Concierge Care, Tompkins
Financial Advisors, Kern Rappy Dispute Resolution, and Pinnacle Taxx.
Wishing you all a healthy and active summer ahead ??
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WBASNY awards Hon. Kim P. Berg, Esq the Betty Weinberg Ellerin Mentor Award
By Sakeena B. Naqvi, Esq.
The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York
recently honored the Honorable Kim P. Berg with the Betty
Weinberg Ellerin Mentor Award at a special ceremony
held on March 26, 2026, at The Mansion at White Plains.
This distinguished award was established in honor of one of
WBASNY’s founding members, the Honorable Betty
Weinberg Ellerin, former Associate Justice of the Appellate
Division, First Department. Justice Ellerin’s extraordinary
legacy as a mentor, teacher, guide, and trusted counselor
has shaped generations of attorneys and judges, including
countless WBASNY officers and members. The inaugural
award was presented to Justice Ellerin herself, recognizing
her generous spirit, creative leadership, and unwavering
commitment to mentorship.
Hon. Kim P. Berg
Judge Berg embodies the very spirit of this award. A past President of the Westchester
Women’s Bar Association and a long-standing leader within both the WWBA and WBASNY,
she is the founder and driving force behind the WWBA Mentorship Program. Guided by her
belief that the future of the legal profession depends on meaningful mentorship and the
highest standards of professionalism, Judge Berg has dedicated countless hours to
building a program designed not for recognition, but to positively impact law students
navigating the challenges of legal education.
Her commitment to mentorship extends well beyond the WWBA’s programs. Judge Berg
has personally mentored numerous students and attorneys and has presented
educational programs for the White Plains Youth Court and the United States District
Court for the Southern District of New York as part of its civil education initiatives and Law
Day celebrations. She has also organized and delivered substantive and skills-based
programming for law students, collaborated with student associations, and actively
recruited judges, attorneys, educators, and WBASNY members to support and guide the
next generation of legal professionals.
The evening was further enriched by heartfelt remarks, including a moving tribute from
Judge Berg’s own mentee, highlighting the profound and lasting impact of mentorship
throughout a legal career. In her acceptance speech, Judge Berg encouraged all members
of the legal community to invest in mentorship, emphasizing its critical role in fostering
professionalism, confidence, and opportunity for future generations.
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Through this award, Judge Berg is recognized for her selfless compassion, generosity of
time, and enduring commitment to mentorship—an effort that has left a profound and
lasting impact on the legal community. Congratulations, Judge Berg.
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Read Across America Day: Celebrating the Joys of Reading with our Friends at the
Eugenio Maria de Hostos MicroSociety School and the Justice Sonia Sotomayor
Community School
By Julie P. Passman
With much enthusiasm, the Westchester Women’s Bar Association renewed its longstanding
commitment to Read Across America in the Yonkers Public Schools. On March 2 nd
and March 5 th , WWBA members were guest readers in Read Across America Day
celebrations at the Eugenia Maria de Hostos MicroSociety School and the Justice Sonia
Sotomayor Community School. Read Across America Day commemorates Dr. Seuss’s
birthday and a love of reading in schools across the United States.
Jacqueline Hattar initiated the WWBA’s association with Read Across America in Yonkers
Public Schools about 16 years ago. Over the past several years, Jacqueline and Julie
Passman established a strong connection with the Hostos School and a warm bond with its
former principal, Elda Perez-Mejia. Principal Perez-Mejia is an exceptional educational
leader. Two years ago, Jacqueline and Julie learned that Principal Perez-Mejia was tapped
to take the helm at the newly established Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community School. They
knew this was an opportunity to expand the WWBA’s commitment to reading with Yonkers
students to a second school.
On March 2 nd , WWBA guest readers returned to the Hostos School, which offers a warm and
inviting learning environment. The Hostos MicroSociety School is a pre-K through Grade 8
school designed to create a microcosm of the real world, where each student has a valuable
role in running the school. Students are entrepreneurs and other professionals who earn
“Micro” currency, elected officials who run the school government, judges and arbitrators
who resolve disputes, and Peace Officers who ensure safety. Students prepare resumes
and participate in MicroSociety job interviews and job fairs. The MicroSociety program is
purposefully aligned with the academic curriculum so that student learning is relevant to
the real world.
On March 5 th , WWBA guest readers were excited to read with young learners at the Justice
Sonia Sotomayor Community School for a second year. Principal Perez-Mejia and Ms.
Jelanie Vega (Dual Language Coach) gave WWBA guest readers a warm welcome. The
Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community School features highly intentional learning spaces in
a four-story academic building for students in grades pre-kindergarten through Grade 8.
Walking through the halls of the school, the warmth of the staff and students is palpable.
The Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community School features a bright and open cafeteria, a high
school regulation basketball court, inviting and accessible common areas with state-ofthe-art
public service screens, and an impressive health center with a dentist office. The
school staff are proud to offer a dual language program.
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WWBA guest readers at the Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community School included Julie P.
Passman, Esq., special education attorney; Loretta Miraglia, Esq., mediator at Yonkers
Mediation; Mary Tyler, JD Candidate, Elisabeth Haub School of Law; Bittany McLaughlin,
Esq., Labor Counsel, Teamsters Local 456; and Hon. Karen T. Beltran, Esq., Yonkers City
Court Judge. The WWBA guest readers were joined by two guest readers from Student
Advocacy: Vivian Ossowski, Advocate; and Jennifer Bonilla, Advocate.
At both the Hostos School and the Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community School, guest
readers, Shari Gordon and Nikolette Nrekaj were welcomed by pairs bright-eyed student
ambassadors. Guest readers chatted with student ambassadors as they made their way to
the classrooms. Guest readers read storybooks they brought to the school as well as Dr.
Seuss favorites like The Cat in The Hat from the books the school library and classrooms.
Throughout the morning, students and guest readers shared and celebrated their love of
reading!
The WWBA treasures its relationships with the administrators, teachers, and students at
the Hostos School and the Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community School. WWBA members
are encouraged to join the celebration of reading along with our partners at the Hostos
School and the Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community School at Read Across America Day
2027!
Guest Readers at Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community School with school principal:
Mary Tyler, JD Candidate; Bittany McLaughlin, Esq.; Julie P. Passman, Esq.; Loretta Miraglia,
Esq.; Principal Elda Perez-Mejia; Judge Karen Beltran, Esq.; Vivian Ossowski, Advocate,
Student Advocacy; and Jennifer Bonilla, Advocate, Student Advocacy.
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Julie P. Passman with Ms. Checo’s pre-kindergarten students
Julie P. Passman with prekindergarten
student ambassadors
from Ms. Checo’s class
Brittany McLaughlin with students in class 113.
Brittany McLaughlin welcomed by
student ambassadors.
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A Collaborative Evening: The WWBA and Forensic Experts in Dialogue
By President Jill Oziemblewski
On April 15, 2015, a group of WWBA members filled the table for an exclusive roundtable
dinner with Dr. Jamie R. Williams, President of Robson Forensic, Biomedical Engineer, and
Biomechanics Expert. The evening offered a unique opportunity to engage directly with a
leading expert, Dr. Williams, whose firm provides forensic engineering, scientific, and
technical expert witness services for legal, insurance, and risk management clients.
Robson Forensic covers a wide range of industries, including healthcare, transportation,
and construction.
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Dr. Williams provided information about Robson Forensic and fielded questions about the
strengths and procedures involved when working with expert witnesses. We had a
dynamic discussion over an excellent dinner at Via Garibaldi, in White Plains. We are
sincerely grateful to Dr. Williams and Robson Forensic for their support of the WWBA, and
we look forward to continuing this collaboration with future program offerings.
A New Chapter Begins: Honoring Lisa Denig
By Sakeena B. Naqvi
The Westchester Women’s Bar Association’s Judge Lisa M. Smith Book Club gathered to
celebrate the retirement of Lisa Denig, honoring her years of dedication, leadership, and
the sense of community she so thoughtfully cultivated.
Lisa’s passion for bringing colleagues together through a shared love of reading helped
shape the Book Club into a vibrant and welcoming space for connection, conversation,
and camaraderie. Through engaging discussions, often centered on compelling stories
and strong female voices, members have formed lasting professional and personal bonds.
True to her thoughtful leadership, Lisa ensured that the Judge Lisa M. Smith Book Club
would continue to thrive by leaving it in capable hands. Her commitment to continuity
reflects the very spirit of mentorship and community that defines the WWBA.
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Members celebrated Lisa not only for her contributions to the Book Club, but also for the
lasting impact she has had on each of them. While she will be greatly missed, her legacy
will continue in every gathering and every conversation inspired by her efforts.
We wish Lisa all the best in her retirement and thank her for the strong foundation she
leaves behind.
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Q: Why did you become involved in the WWBA?
A: I became involved with the Westchester Women’s Bar
Association because I wanted to be part of a community
that supports and advances women in the legal profession.
I was drawn to the organization’s commitment to
professional development, mentorship, and in particular,
its commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging in
the legal profession. The WWBA’s mission aligns with my
own values, especially its work to support women lawyers Melissa G. Andrieux, Esq.
and promote equal opportunities for all. Being part of the
WWBA has not only allowed me to build strong relationships, but it’s also given me
meaningful opportunities to collaborate with others who share a passion for inclusion and
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belonging, and to contribute to meaningful change both within the profession and in the
broader community.
Q: In what capacity are you currently serving?
A: I am currently a Board Member and a co-chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Committee.
Q: Tell us about your legal career and what inspired you.
A: What first inspired me to become a lawyer, and specifically a prosecutor, was actually
the TV show The Practice, starring Lara Flynn Boyle. As a young woman watching her on
TV, I thought she was so cool, confident, and badass, standing up in court and fighting for
justice. That image stuck with me, and from that point on, I had tunnel vision: I decided I
wanted to be like her.
That initial spark grew into a genuine passion for the law as I got older. I was fascinated by
the idea of using legal skills to help people and make a tangible difference in my
community. After law school, I was fortunate enough to land my dream job as an Assistant
District Attorney in Queens County, where I had grown up. Being able to serve the
community that shaped me felt incredibly meaningful.
During my time as a prosecutor, I tried many cases and found purpose in seeking justice
for victims and ensuring that the legal process was fair and transparent. It was both
challenging and rewarding work, and it gave me invaluable courtroom experience and the
ability to think on my feet under pressure.
Over time, like many attorneys, I decided to transition into civil litigation. Although the
subject matter had changed, I was still helping people, but in a different context. I was
fortunate enough to land at a wonderful firm, Dorf Nelson & Zauderer LLP, which
presented so many new career opportunities that I was quick to grab.
Q: What would be your advice to new attorneys?
A: Stay curious, proactive, and open to learning. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, seek
feedback, and build relationships with colleagues and mentors who can guide you. I would
not be where I am if it wasn’t for the mentors in my life. Develop strong communication,
organizational, and legal research and writing skills early on because you will need these
skills throughout your entire professional career. Lastly, get involved in bar associations
and network! It’s a great way to stay informed, find opportunities and build relationships
you might not expect.
Q: How do you balance your legal career with other aspects of life?
A: Balancing my legal career with other parts of my life has been a continuous process of
setting priorities and boundaries. I’ve learned to be intentional about carving out time for
family, friends, and activities that recharge me. There are also times when I do nothing
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except read or watch TV. Like many professionals, I admit to struggling to put the phone
down and not check email or social media. I am not always good about it but I try to remind
myself that maintaining personal well-being ultimately makes me a better professional.
Having supportive colleagues and mentors at DNZ who value balance has also been
incredibly helpful.
Q: What are your interests outside of the law and community activities?
A: Outside of the law, I enjoy reading and binging TV. My genre for both is mystery,
suspense and crime thrillers. I love summer so I spend as much time outdoors as
possible, whether it’s biking to the park, sitting on my deck, or just taking a walk around my
neighborhood. And of course, I value time with my family and friends, which keeps me
grounded and connected.
Q: What do you hope to achieve in coming years?
A: One of my goals for the future is to become a mentor for law students and for people
who are navigating career transitions, especially those who, like me, decide to pivot later
in their professional paths. I understand firsthand how daunting and uncertain that
process can be, and I want to help others feel more confident and supported as they make
those changes. Whether through one-on-one mentoring or by creating a broader platform
or community, I want to provide a space where people feel encouraged and empowered to
pursue new directions. I was fortunate to have mentors and support systems during my
own journey, and I want to pay that forward.
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Committee Date/ Time Place Topic RSVP
The Judge Lisa M.
Smith Book Club
Meeting
May 11, 2026,
6:00 pm
Tanya Briendel’s
Home: 10 Woodbine
Terrace, Dobbs
Keeping the Faith,
by Brenda
Wineapple
kathy@rosemarklaw.
com
Meet the Experts:
Judges Share
their Settlement
Strategies
WWBA Annual
Dinner
Executive
Committee
The Judge Lisa M.
Smith Book Club
Meeting
May 13, 2026,
3:00 pm
June 3, 2026,
5:30 pm
July 9, 2026
5:30 pm
July 13, 2026,
6:00 pm
BOD July 22, 2026
At 5:30 pm
Ferry, NY
Westchester County
Supreme Court, 111
Martin Luther King
Blvd, White Plains
Mamaroneck Beach
& Yacht Club,
555 S Barry Ave
Mamaroneck, NY
The Legal Aid Society
of Westchester
County: 150 Grand
St, #100, White
Plains, NY 10601
Shari Gordon Home:
23 Hillcrest Drive,
Mahopac, NY
The Legal Aid Society
of Westchester
County: 150 Grand
St, #100, White
Plains, NY 10601
Judges Share
their Settlement
Strategies
WWBA
Executive Board
Meeting
TBD
Board Meeting
RSVP Here
https://wwbany.org/
event-6505320
kathy@rosemarklaw.
com
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THE WWBA MEMBERSHIP PERIOD FOR 2026-2027 BEGINS ON JUNE 1,
2026. PLEASE RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP AT WWW.WWBANY.ORG.
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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 Sakeena Naqvi at
sakeena@pwscottlaw.com.
❑ Articles should be 1,000 words or fewer. 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.
PROGRAM SCHEDULING
❑ First visit the WWBA website: www.wwbany.org and click on the calendar at the
homepage 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, Amanda Teitel, proceed with
planning your program and completing the Program Questionnaire, which can be found
online. Amanda will use this to draft a flyer and graphic for the program, then circulate it to
the Programs Committee.
❑ Flyers must be approved by the Programs Committee. Once approved, the program will
be publicized on the website calendar and the newsletter calendar and added to the
Weekly Update email circulated to membership every week.
❑ 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
Sakeena Naqvi, Corresponding Secretary and Newsletter Editor-in-Chief:
sakeena@pwscottlaw.com
Natanya L. Briendel, Programs Committee Co-Chair: tanyabriendel@gmail.com
Hon. Amy Puerto, Programs Committee Co-Chair: amy.puerto@yahoo.com
Jill Oziemblewski, President: jill_oziemblewski@yahoo.com
Ann M. McNulty, CLE Chair: annmmcnulty@aol.com
Amanda Teitel, Executive Director: executivedirector@wwbany.org
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