WBASNY Virtual Convention 2021 Journal

W OMEN ’ S B AR A SSOCIATION OF THE S TATE OF N EW Y ORK

Welcomes You To

Convention 2021

May 21 – 22, 2021

Dear Friends, Colleagues and “Sisters in Law”:

Welcome to the first Virtual Annual Convention of the Women's Bar Association of the State of New York (“WBASNY”). Our largest event of a most extraordinary year, WBASNY’s Convention provides even more opportunities to further the advancement of women in the law and in society. Thank you for joining us. We encourage you to participate in the two full days of programs, including yoga, Continuing Legal Education seminars, and “Poker PowHer.” Let us celebrate each other as we honor the 2021 WBASNY Award recipients. Renew and strengthen connections from throughout the state at the Friday and Saturday evening receptions. We may be meeting virtually, but we still represent WBASNY’s “one voice,” and that voice remains “#WBASNYstrong.” Carrying on the work of the second-largest bar association in the state of New York amid a pandemic and social unrest was difficult. In addition to the challenges that kept us physically apart, affected our health, and impacted our livelihoods, we experienced the loss of many we loved, respected, and admired, including U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. However, just like the suffragists who persevered through the Spanish Flu pandemic of the early 20 th century and won the right to vote, WBASNY’s members rose to meet the challenge of innovative leadership during these challenging times. We made frequent use of social media, virtual meetings, and other forms of technology to keep each other informed and engaged. Many of WBASNY’s forms were converted into electronic fillable forms that could be submitted online. Adjustments were made to WBASNY’s website to make it more user friendly – and highlight the achievements of our members in celebration of WBASNY’s 40th Anniversary. The distribution of surveys as part of the Preserving Our Living Legacy (“POLL”) Project challenged WBASNY’s leaders to preserve WBASNY’s living legacy and ensure that important institutional knowledge and historical documents are preserved and passed on to future leaders. With pride, WBASNY adapted and thrived. As the nation celebrated the 100 th Anniversary of women’s voting rights, WBASNY celebrated its 40 th Anniversary in grand style. Like our foremothers, WBASNY’s members moved the mission forward, building a better and brighter future for women in the legal profession and women in general. To WBASNY’s Officers, Chapter Presidents, Committee Chairs, Delegates and Volunteers from throughout the state, thank you for your time, commitment, and dedication. Thank you for defining our collective struggle for acceptance and recognition, our advocacy for the underserved, and our resolve in the face of sexism, racism, and all forms of injustice for the next 40 years and beyond. Thank you for being “Faithful to the Mission.”

Joy A. Thompson Joy A. Thompson WBASNY President

WBASNY President

Joy A. Thompson

Joy Anastasia Thompson, Esq., has been an active member of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY) and its Brooklyn chapter since 2009. She joined the Brooklyn board in 2010, immediately serving as the Recording Secretary from 2010 to 2012, and then as a Vice President in 2016. In 2017, she became a statewide officer, serving first as Corresponding Secretary, then as a Vice President, President-Elect, and this past year, President. In 2012, Ms. Thompson received WBASNY’s Doris S. Hoffman Outstanding New Lawyer Award, which she considers a highlight of her career. Ms. Thompson was recently named to City & State’s 2021 Law Power 100 list of leading legal

professionals in New York politics and government.

Ms. Thompson is committed to promoting the integrity and diversity of the legal profession and serving the underserved. She has chaired the Brooklyn Bar Association’s Diversity Committee since its creation in 2019. She is a member of the Committee on Character and Fitness for the 2nd, 10th, 11 th , and 13th Districts (Appellate Division, 2nd Judicial Department). She is a member of the Legislative Affairs Committee of the Women in Law Section of the New York State Bar Association. She has volunteered with the Brooklyn Legal Pipeline Initiative and New York Cares, and she is a former mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters NYC. She is also an active member and chair of the Scholarship Committee of the Manhattan chapter of Soroptimist International, a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. A native New Yorker, Ms. Thompson was raised in Brooklyn. A career in newspaper journalism took Ms. Thompson from North Carolina to Southern California to Northern Virginia, during which time she received several professional writing awards. Ms. Thompson received her J.D. in 2008 from William & Mary Law School in Williamsburg, Virginia, where she served as Co- Chair of the Institute of Bill of Rights Law (Student Division) and Symposium Editor of the William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal . In her professional capacity, Ms. Thompson works as an Assistant General Counsel with New York City’s Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH). She is licensed to practice law in New York and New Jersey.

T HE W OMEN ’ S B AR A SSOCIATION OF THE S TATE OF N EW Y ORK 2021-2021 Officers

President

Dawn Reid-Green

Staten Island New York Westchester

President-Elect Vice Presidents

Deborah G. Rosenthal

Shari R. Gordon Dawn A. Lott

Suffolk

Marea L. Wachsman Simone M. Freeman

Brooklyn

Treasurer

Nassau Queens

Recording Secretary

Madison Porzio

Corresponding Secretary

Kathleen S. Campbell

Del-Chen-O

Chapters Adirondack Bronx Brooklyn Capital District Central New York Del-Chen-O Finger Lakes Mid-Hudson Mid-York Nassau New York Orange-Sullivan Queens Rochester Rockland Staten Island Suffolk Thousand Islands Westchester Western New York

WBASNY Donor Roll 2020-2021

Carol Malz Valerie Manzo Brittnay McMahon

Robin Abramowitz Andrea Brodie Eileen Buholtz Allyson Burger

Raquel Miranda Linda Morrone Elizabeth Newton Toby Pilsner Hon. Joanne Quinones Terry Raskyn

Cardi & Edgar, LLP Carrie Anne Cavallo Cavallo Law, PLLC Janet Cord Janette Cortes-Gomez Katherine Courtney Maureen Crush Hon. Susan Danoff Ellen Doskow Michele Ellerin Myrna Felder Simone M. Freeman Veronica Fuentes-Simone Martha Gifford, Esq. Shari Gordon Claire Gutekunst Joyce Hartsfield Tina Hartwell Deirdre Hay Patricia Hennessey Ellen Holtzman Hon. Deborah Kaplan Marjorie Karowe Robert Kaufman Amy Baldwin Littman Dawn Lott Fran Lubow

Dawn Reid-Green Karen Richardson Sandra Rivera Deborah Rosenthal Sharon Sayers Schreier & Wachsman, LLP Hon. Sandra Sciortino Tammy Smiley Staten Island Women’s Bar Association Danielle Strauch Teresa Stoeth Jonathan Taylor Joy A. Thompson Katherine Tracey WBASNY Officers JoAnn Wahl Western New York Women’s Bar Association Karen Windram

Michael Windram Kathleen Wright Mindy Zlotogura

We Gratefully Acknowledge and Extend a Special Thank You to Our Convention Sponsors Benefactor Nota by M&T Bank CLE Program – #meThree? Navigating Conflicting Standards in Sexual Harassment CLE Program – After the Conviction – Helping People Restore Their Rights CLE Program – New Frontiers in Family Law in a Post COVID-19 World CLE Program – Trends in Cybercrime CLE Program – Whose Baby is it Anyway Social Responsibility Program Thomson Reuters Incoming Presidents Reception WBASNY Advisory Committee Convention Virtual Platform Friend Cavallo Law, LLP Tote Bags Professional Liability Consulting Services, Inc. Awards Ceremony Staten Island Women’s Bar Association Installation Ceremony Associate Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association Tote Bag Shipping Counsel Press, LLC Expo Lobby Banners Nassau County Women’s Bar Association Keynote Speaker New York Women’s Bar Association Board of Directors Meeting UHY Advisors NY, Inc. Plenary Meeting

Colleague Allan Block Insurance Agency Inc. Expo Lobby Banner Ascendancy Financial Group Mindfulness Program Bender & Rosenthal LLP CLE Program – The Perils of Prenups Block, Longo, LaMarch & Brzezinski, PC Expo Lobby Banner Irene V. Villacci, Esq., PC Expo Lobby Banner James Licata, Prudential Advisors Expo Lobby Banner Jaspan Schlesinger LLP Expo Lobby Banner Lazer, Aptheker, Rosella & Yedid, PC CLE Program – Reasonable Accommodations in an Unreasonable World Law Office of Jennifer Frankola, Esq. Gentle Yoga & Meditation Rosenthal, Attorneys at Law, PC CLE Program – Diversity & Inclusion – Consideration in 2021 & Beyond Schreier & Wachsman, LLP Expo Lobby Banner

In-Kind Donations Robin S. Abramowitz, Esq. Kathleen S. Campbell, Esq. Capital District Women’s Bar Association Cavallo Law PLLC Simone M. Freeman, Esq. Deirdre L. Hay, Esq. Dawn Lott, Esq. Madison Porzio, Esq. Dawn Reid-Green, Esq.

Solutions + of New York, LLC Irene V. Villacci, Esq., PC

Boosters

Robin S. Abramowitz, Esq. Melilnda Alexis-Hayes, Esq. Patricia L. Angley, Esq. Avery & Avery, PC Susan L. Bender, Esq. Ann Pinciss Berman, Esq. Laura Brandt, Esq. Andrea M. Brodie, Esq. – Nassau Chapter President Elizabeth A. Bryson, Esq. Eileen E. Buholtz, Esq., Connors, Corcoran & Buholtz, PLLC Allyson Burger & Family Hon. Lisa A. Cairo Kathleen S. Campbell, Esq.

Cardi & Edgar LLP Cavallo Law, PLLC Congratulations Joy! Andrea F. Composto, Esq. Katie Courtney, Esq. Maureen Crush, Esq. Amanda Dreher, Esq., Dreher Nonprofit Solutions Diane M. Dwyer LLP Jacqueline P. Flug, Esq. Myra L. Freed, Esq.

Donna E. Frosco, Esq., Past President Helen Galette, Esq.

Martha E. Gifford, Esq. Shari R. Gordon, Esq. Patricia Hennessey, Esq., Hennessey & Bienstock LLP Anne E. Joynt, Esq. Linda Markowitz, Esq. Delisa G. Marshall, Esq., Partner, Shafer Partners, LLP Hon. Edwina Frances Martin

Hon. Janet L. McFarland Natoya L. McGhie, Esq. Brittnay M. McMahon, Esq. Danielle N. Menendez, Esq.

Leslie E. Niebel, Esq. Lisa Nororian, Esq. Linda M. Oliva, Esq. Adrienne J. Orbach, Esq. Hon. Barbara Irolla Panepinto Rosa Pannitto, Esq. Congrats to President Reid-Green & Officers - Hon. Andrea Phoenix

Hon. Joanne D. Quinones Hon. J. Machelle Sweeting Joy A. Thompson, Esq. Kathleen Wright, Esq.

Incoming Officers

Dawn Reid-Green President

Dawn Reid-Green, incoming President, is a native New Yorker who attended the renowned Bronx High School of Science. She is a 1989 graduate of the University at Buffalo School of Law. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University at Buffalo. Ms. Reid-Green has worked in the public sector for over 30 years. She specializes in personal injury defense, and holds the position of Unit Chief-Kings County at a transportation company. Prior to her appointment as Unit Chief, she headed the Richmond County arm of the Queens/Richmond Trial Unit for 18 years.

Ms. Reid-Green is an active member of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY). She has served as President-Elect, Vice President, WBASNY Treasurer, Co-Chair- 2016 Voter Registration Drive Committee and Co-Chair-2017 Convention Committee. Ms. Reid- Green held the position of President of the Staten Island Women’s Bar Association from 2013- 2015 and continues to serve as a member of the SIWBA Advisory Council. Ms. Reid-Green has served as a Board Member of the Metropolitan Black Bar Association (MBBA) since 2015, and currently serves as the MBBA delegate to the Kings County Democratic Judicial Screening Committee (2020-2021). She is a member of the Columbian Lawyers Association-Brooklyn, and Richmond County Bar Association. She is a past member of the Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commission-Second Department. She has also participated as a scoring judge for the Empire Mock Trial Competition. Ms. Reid-Green community engagement includes: Second Vice President of the Board of the Staten Island Historical Society from 2015-2018; President-Elect of Soroptimist International- Staten Island Chapter; Vice President of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.-Brooklyn Chapter from 2010- 2012 and Recording Secretary of Associates Group of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.- Brooklyn Chapter from 2019-2021. She is a member of the National Council of Negro Woman- Staten Island and NAACP-Staten Island Branch. Ms. Reid-Green also works as a guest lecturer at CUNY School of Law.

Ms. Reid-Green was honored to receive the 2015 MBBA Bar Leader of the Year Award, and the 2015 Staten Island Black History Month Town Hall Meeting Award for Community Service.

Ms. Reid-Green is married to Richard Green, a guitarist with The Eturnity Band. They have two daughters, Naja Green Monette and Gabrielle Green, and a son-in law Jordan Monette, all graduates of the prestigious Howard University, Washington D.C.

Incoming Officers

Deborah G. Rosenthal President-Elect

Deborah G. Rosenthal, incoming President-Elect, is the owner of Rosenthal, Attorneys at Law, P.C., located in Great Neck, New York. Deborah lives in Manhattan and represents clients in the five boroughs of New York City, as well as Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester Counties. Her practice focuses on estate planning, probate and administration of estates, estate litigation, guardianship and special needs planning, corporate and contract law, real estate and representation of closely-held businesses, including purchases and sales of small businesses.

Deborah obtained her Juris Doctor degree magna cum laude from Cornell Law School, where she was a member of the honorary society, Order of the Coif. She also has an L.L.M degree in Taxation from New York University School of Law. She is a graduate of Wellesley College (A.B., economics, cum laude). She is admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court, New York State, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Federal District Court of Massachusetts and U.S. Tax Court. Ms. Rosenthal has earned Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review AV® Rating, Preeminent, 5.0 out of 5.0. In 2020, she was named an Outstanding Woman in Law by Hofstra University. Ms. Rosenthal is certified as a court-appointed Court Evaluator, Guardian ad Litem, Counsel to Guardian, Attorney for Alleged Incapacitated Person, Trustee of Supplemental Needs Trusts and Guardian. She has received and accepts appointments in the counties of Nassau, New York, Queens and Suffolk. Ms. Rosenthal also volunteers her time as an arbitrator of attorney-client fee disputes under Part 137 of the Rules of the Chief Judge. Deborah Rosenthal served as Vice President for two years and as Treasurer of WBASNY before being nominated to serve as President Elect. She has also served as a delegate to the Board of Directors and as a member of the Judiciary and Awards Committees. Prior to becoming a WBASNY officer, Deborah served as President of the New York Women's Bar Association, where she revived and revamped the Judiciary Committee and served as its co- chair from 2012 through 2014; served as co-chair of the Solo and Small Law Firm Committee from 2009 until 2013, where she instituted a yearly program on “Starting and Growing your Law Practice” and regular breakfast and dinner meetings on practice management and other topics of interest to solo and small law firm practitioners; and served as co-chair of the Trusts and Estates Committee. Immediately prior to becoming President, Deborah Rosenthal served as Treasurer of the New York Women’s Bar Association for three years.

Incoming Officers

Shari R. Gordon Vice President

Shari R. Gordon, incoming Vice President, graduated Phi Beta Kappa from SUNY at Stony Brook in 1982 and attended Union University at Albany Law School, where she earned the Gabrielli Best Brief Award before graduating with her Jurist Doctorate in 1985, and admission to the New York State Bar in January 1986. Ms. Gordon has been practicing law in excess of 34 years and is currently a member of the Law Offices of Shari R. Gordon located in Yorktown Heights and White Plains, New York. Ms. Gordon is also admitted to the Eastern and Southern District Courts as well as the United States Supreme Court.

Ms. Gordon assisted in the preparation of, and was acknowledged by the author of the four volume treatise, “New York Matrimonial Law and Practice”, by Timothy M. Tippins, Esq.

In addition to her divorce and family law practice, Shari has an extensive background in criminal defense as a former Senior Staff Trial Counsel with the Criminal Defense Division of the Legal Aid Society, Bronx County. She has been a member of the First Judicial Department felony panel for over two decades and continues to serve in that capacity. She also serves on the felony and misdemeanor panels in Westchester County. She served for over 10 years as co-Chair of the Families, Children and Court’s Committee for the Westchester Women’s Bar Association and serves as co-Chair of Health Law and Reproductive Right’s for the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York also in excess of 10 years. Ms. Gordon served as an elected state and local director of the WWBA for over a decade. She also served on the Judicial Screening Committee of the WWBA. Ms. Gordon served as Program Chair for the Summer Justice Academy for Young Women held at Pace Law School from 2009 to 2012. The Academy founded by the Hon. La Tia W. Martin, J.S.C., exposes high school girls from local underserved schools to legal training and critical legal analysis taught by law school professors, judges and lawyers, specializing in areas such as cyber bullying, civil and criminal procedure and criminal law, family law and ethics. Ms. Gordon hosts the radio program “First Friday”, WVOX 1460 AM, focusing on current legal issues featuring prominent legal figures including Judges, elected officials and prominent lawyers. She resides with her husband Barry Cash in Somers. She has two sons, Samuel and Noah.

Incoming Officers

Dawn A. Lott Vice President

Dawn Lott, incoming Vice President, a lifelong resident of Long Island, obtained her Bachelors of Science from Cornell University, School of Industrial and Labor Relations and her Juris Doctorate from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

As an attorney, the majority of Ms. Lott’s legal career has been in private practice concentrating in matrimonial, employment and labor and corporate/commercial litigation. She was Of-Counsel to Bart & Schwartz, LLP and later joined the law firm of Dandeneau & Curto, LLP. In 2005 the partnership, Dandeneau & Lott, was established where, as Partner, she handled employment and labor law, civil rights, corporate and commercial, and matrimonial litigation in addition to appellate work in Federal and State Courts. Ms. Lott is currently the Executive Director for the Suffolk County Human Rights Commission where she strives to ensure that the Commission continues to be a vital vehicle for the enforcement of human rights for all Suffolk County residents. Her extensive legal experience and many years of community service and outreach is used to achieve this mission. In addition to her legal career, Ms. Lott remains active in numerous associations and is committed to giving back to her community. Currently she serves as Vice-President of Development the National Women’s Political Caucus (NWPC) and VP of NWPC New York Caucus; Board of Directors member and Past President of the Amistad Black Bar Association of Long Island; 2 nd Vice-Chair of the Girls Scouts of Suffolk County, member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Long Island Chapter, Inc., the NAACP, member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Rho Omega Zeta Chapter and Jr. Moxxie Mentor.

Incoming Officers

Marea L. Wachsman Vice President

Marea L. Wachsman, incoming Vice President, is a founding member and partner in Schreier & Wachsman, LLP. She litigates various types of civil matters with a focus on representing seriously injured victims of medical malpractice, wrongful death, airline accidents, automobile accidents, construction accidents, slip and fall accidents, and many other negligence matters. Ms. Wachsman also represents commercial litigants. Ms. Wachsman is involved from inception to completion on matters accepted by the firm.

Ms. Wachsman has become the “lawyers” lawyer for medical malpractice referrals. It is well known in the legal community that she specializes in all kinds of medical malpractice cases and has a tremendous track record with respect to the cases the firm chooses to accept. Ms. Wachsman has always believed in giving back to the community and has done so repeatedly through her pro bono efforts. Most notably, following Hurricanes Irene and Sandy, Ms. Wachsman worked for victims in Greene County and Nassau County, New York. She met with numerous victims and assisted them with their homeowner’s insurance claims as part of New York Trial Lawyers Care, Inc. The work she performed after Hurricane Irene included multiple meetings with CAT (catastrophic) teams from insurance carriers at victims’ homes, as well as litigation of claims in Greene County. Ms. Wachsman has served as a Co-Chair of the Legislation Committee for WBASNY and served as a Delegate and member of the Board of Directors of the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association. Prior to serving as a Delegate, she served as a Vice President of BWBA. Ms. Wachsman is the First Vice President of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, and is an Executive member of its Board of Directors and has served and continues to serve as a Co-Chair of NYSTLA’s Women’s Caucus and Co-Chair of the Bar Liaison Committee. Ms. Wachsman is the President of the Women’s Trial Lawyer’s Caucus, Inc. In addition, Ms. Wachsman is a member of the American Association for Justice, New York City Bar Association, Long Island Board of Realtors and the New York State Association of Realtors.

Ms. Wachsman was raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. She received her B.A. in Political Science from The American University and her Juris Doctor from New York Law School.

Ms. Wachsman litigates medical malpractice cases, aviation accidents, automobile collisions, municipal liability, construction accidents, slip and falls, breach of security matters and many others. Ms. Wachsman also practices in the Surrogate’s Courts of the State of New York in wrongful death and guardianship matters.

Incoming Officers

Simone M. Freeman Treasurer

Simone M. Freeman, incoming Treasurer, is a partner at Jaspan Schlesinger LLP. She is an experienced land use and zoning attorney, with an extensive background in public sector/municipal law. Ms. Freeman’s expertise lies in executing public and private development, risk/site analysis, and litigation for public/municipal and private corporations. Prior to joining Jaspan Schlesinger LLP, Ms. Freeman was Corporation Counsel for the City of Long Beach where she served as chief legal advisor to the City Council, City Manager, and City Commissioners and

Officers, as well as counsel to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Before that Ms. Freeman was a senior attorney for seven years at another prominent real estate, land use and zoning firm, where she represented telecommunication companies and national retail franchises in all aspects of the zoning process, including site analysis, applications, public hearings, permit procurement, project development and governmental and municipal compliance. Ms. Freeman began her career in the Office of the Town Attorney at the Town of North Hempstead where she served as co-counsel to the Town’s Board of Zoning and Appeals; counsel to the Department of Public Works; and Record’s Access Officer from 2007 to 2013. While serving first as an Assistant Town Attorney, and then as a Deputy Town Attorney, Ms. Freeman regularly advised the Town Board on issues relating to applications for special permits, site plan approvals, changes of zone, and creation and extension of special improvement districts. She also gained extensive experience in all aspects of public bidding and procurement, as well as project development. Ms. Freeman is Treasurer of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, and Past President of the Nassau County Women’s Bar Association. She had been selected as Super Lawyers New York Metro Rising Stars (2015-2019), and is the recipient of the Maurice A. Deane School of Law Center for Children, Families and the Law Long Island Outstanding Woman in Law award (2016); and Nassau County Women’s Bar Association Bessie Ray Geffner, Esq. Memorial Award for Outstanding Newly Admitted Attorney (2011). Ms. Freeman received her J.D. from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University, where she was a member of the Family Court Review and Moot Court Association, and received Hofstra Law School’s Pro Bono Certificate, Bronze Level Award for her work in the public sector during law school.

Incoming Officers

Madison Porzio Recording Secretary

Madison Porzio , incoming Recording Secretary, is the principal law clerk to the Honorable Nelida Malave-Gonzalez, Surrogate of Bronx County. Ms. Porzio joined the court system in 2018 as court attorney for the Honorable John C.V. Katsanos in Queens County Civil Court. Prior to joining the court system, she practiced in Surrogate’s Court Litigation and Estate Administration for 6 years. She fell in love with Surrogate’s Court practice in 2010 while interning for the Honorable Peter J. Kelly in Queens County Surrogate’s Court. Ms. Porzio has focused her passion in the practice of Trusts and Estates since that time. After finishing Law School in 2012, she completed her LL.M. in Taxation with a focus in Estate Planning in 2014.

Ms. Porzio has been a member of the Queens County chapter of the Women’s Bar since law school. She joined the board in 2016, serving as a delegate to WBASNY for two years and is currently serving her fifth year on the board. In 2017, Ms. Porzio started the Mental Health and Wellness committee allowing the organization to raise awareness, provide resources, and fight the stigma of mental health in the legal community. The committee hosts several reputable and well attended educational events in May for Mental Health Awareness month, and has influenced other bar associations in Queens County to raise awareness on these issues as well. She remains the chair of this committee and continues to organize the events annually. She has also served on several other committees within the chapter in her time on the board. In 2018, Ms. Porzio assisted in starting a Mental Wellness committee for WBASNY and has served as a co-chair of the committee for the past two years. The committee has made resources for chapters to hold Mental Health awareness events available, and has drafted policy letters on behalf of WBASNY to the New York State Bar. Ms. Porzio’s zealous activism in the mental health field has led her to speak at events for various organizations including the Bronx Borough President’s LBGT Task Force, attend World Mental Health Day at the United Nations, and be interviewed for Bronx Net Television. Ms. Porzio has lived in Astoria, Queens since 2016. In addition to her volunteer work and activism in the mental health field, she is a NYC Marathon finisher, a local gold medal winning powerlifter, and avid fitness enthusiast. She enjoys traveling to visit her parents in Georgia, cheeseburgers, and watching NY Giants football at home with her 2 year old Cat, Savage.

Incoming Officers

Kathleen S. Campbell Corresponding Secretary

Kathleen S. Campbell, incoming Corresponding Secretary, currently serves as a Principal Attorney in Legal Administration at the New York State Insurance Fund where she has been employed since 2001. Prior to joining the New York State Insurance Fund, she was a Litigation Associate at Hinman, Howard & Kattell, LLP in Binghamton, New York. She began her legal career as an Associate at Martin, Clearwater & Bell, LLP in New York City where she was engaged in medical malpractice defense work. That position was a natural fit for her due to her prior experience as a New York State Registered Nurse.

In 2016, Ms. Campbell co-founded the Del-Chen-O Women’s Bar Association, a Chapter of WBASNY, and served two terms as the President. Since that time, she has continued to serve in various capacities on the Del-Chen-O Board. In 2020, Ms. Campbell coordinated the creation of the Del-Chen-O Annual Scholarship to be awarded to a graduating senior from the Delaware-Chenango-Madison-Otsego Board of Cooperative Educational Services (DCMO BOCES) Law and Government Program. Since November 2020, Ms. Campbell has served as WBASNY’s Corresponding Secretary. She has also served as Co-Chair of 2019 WBASNY Convention Committee and a Co-Chair of the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 WBASNY Membership Committee. Ms. Campbell has previously served in the positions of President, Vice President and Secretary for the Chenango County Bar Association. In February 2020, Ms. Campbell received the WBASNY Emerging Leader Award which is bestowed upon leaders who exemplify the commitment and leadership of WBASNY’s founding mothers and will carry WBASNY’s mission of promoting the status of women and children in the courts and in society into the future. Since 2015, Ms. Campbell has volunteered as a mediator for Catholic Charites Dispute Resolution Center. In addition, she serves on the City of Norwich Planning Board. She has previously served on the Lourdes Hospice Board, the Perry Browne Sited Based Team, the Chenango County Youth Board and the City of Norwich Zoning Board. Ms. Campbell is a graduate of Mohawk Valley Community College, Hunter College of the City of New York and the University at Buffalo School of Law. Ms. Campbell is admitted to practice in New York State as well as in the Southern, Eastern, Northern and Western Districts of New York. In January 2021, Ms. Campbell was appointed to serve on the Third Department’s Committee on Character and Fitness.

A Tribute to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

The theme for WBASNY this year is Empowered Women, Empowering Women. We can think of few other persons in our profession who capture this principle more than Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The Journal Subcommittee of the Convention Committee asked members to submit memories, anecdotes or photographs of their encounters with Justice Ginsburg. We trust you will enjoy the following contributions and hope that they inspire you for the future. I was able to see Scalia/Ginsburg , a unique opera about the relationship between Justice Scalia and Justice Ginsburg, written and scored by attorney/composer Derrick Wang, at the Glimmerglass Festival in 2017. I paid a little extra to get tickets for the night Justice Ginsburg would speak after the show. She talked for about half an hour about how much she loved opera, how much it meant to her and her husband, how it strengthened her relationship with Justice Scalia, and how it was common interests like that that made it easy for all the justices to toss their differences aside. It was a really special event for me because it was so intimate. This absolute powerhouse of a woman who's had this brilliant career told deeply personal stories about her passions and relationships. She laughed and I think she might have cried at one particularly sweet story. I had just finished my first year summer internship and was going back to school the next week so the last thing I wanted to do was talk about law. But if you have the chance to see RBG, you take it. She didn't talk about law at all. She seemed like she was a really private person so I was really glad I got to see her in a different light. She was so kind, gentle, warm, and powerful and I’ve definitely been trying to copy her presence since officially entering the profession. It was the year 1993 and she had just been appointed to the US Supreme Court. I had been serving on the State Supreme Court since 1990. In the 9th District there were no other women at that time and she was my inspiration. At the event we also took mother and daughter pictures. I felt I had to overcome many obstacles and prejudices like she did and just went full speed ahead and never looked back. I am now the only Judge to be serving a third term in the district and love what I do. I have had the same passion she had of fairness and fighting prejudice, from the date I was fired from my first job for being pregnant to the day I became a state Supreme Court judge. Morgan R. Mayer (Thousand Islands Chapter)

Hon. Joan B. Lefkowitz (Westchester Chapter)

May 29, 2018 is a day I will never forget. Not only was it the day I was sworn in at the United States Supreme Court, but it was also the day I met Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I was already happy just to be admitted to the United States Supreme Court and even more excited since my parents and my aunt, who had just arrived from Jamaica, were able to attend the ceremony. We walked around the building in awe of the history and architecture. I felt a special sense of pride knowing that my admission to the highest court in the United States meant that my immigrant parents would be able to

witness the grandeur of the United States Supreme Court. That feeling of pride and joy was enough for me. Little did I know, I was going to experience so many more emotions that day.

After the admission ceremony, the group that I was a part of, along with our family members, returned to our waiting room. As we gathered our belongings, Justice Ginsburg walked in the room. Although she was small in stature, her presence (along with her bright red jacket) illuminated the room. I was immediately star struck. Justice Ginsburg proceeded to congratulate us on our admission. Unfortunately, she was not feeling well and could not stay for too many pictures. She did manage to take a few group pictures with us. As my state of shock wore off, I quickly realized I may never get a moment this close to Justice Ginsburg again. In a quick move, I took my cell phone out and took an awkward selfie with the Notorious RBG. While it may not be the best angle or lighting, it was by far the best picture I took all day. I will always cherish that picture and the memories from that day.

Tiffany C. Malcolm (Queens Chapter)

It was sometime in the Fall of 1990. Mom was there; so was my cousin who was currently living and working in the U.S. capital district. We were snapping photos on the steps leading into the august United States Supreme Court building. Soon, I would be sworn in to practice in the highest court of the nation. It was, I thought, the highlight of my legal status. But, what followed superseded the euphoria of my admission. After the courtroom proceedings, I followed a group of my colleagues into a reception room. While oohing and aahing at the majestic surroundings, I was startled from my admiring trance by the diminutive figure of Justice Ginsburg. She was already welcoming me to the Supreme Court and acknowledging my membership to the

rolls. She was wearing the robe with her signature white frilly fringe. I cannot remember any conversation after that; I was so awestruck. I do remember, however, her grace and demeanor, the traits that described her throughout her long career. It is interesting to note that I mimicked her appearance throughout my professional career. I styled my hair sleek-backed and I wore conservative suit apparel, generally topped with a frilly ascot. When I ascended to the bench as a judge, I ordered a robe with a white fringe at the neck. To my mind, she was a prototype of “making a difference.”

Hon. Eileen N. Nadelson (Ret.) (New York & Westchester Chapters )

I was honored to have met Justice Ginsburg numerous times in a variety of circumstances, initially when I was admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1990, but subsequently at many bar and charity events. This is just one personal memory, but which was shared with numerous WBASNY members. In 2012, Justice Ginsburg came to Cooperstown to give a lecture on how the law, the legal profession, and its principles are portrayed in operas. She joined members of our Association for an intimate lunch where we could chat with her, and later we attended an opera with her. It was clear from the outset of her lecture that Justice Ginsburg is not just a fan, but an expert on operas. She regaled the audience with a myriad of circumstances in operas where, as she exclaimed: “lawyers and judges do not fare well.” For example, in Porgy and Bess, a lawyer says he will charge $1.00 to secure a divorce, but when he finds out the couple was never married, he raises his fee to $1.50! She also covered a few other operas with legal themes, such as Aida (slavery and choices between love and duty to country and king), The Crucible (Salem witch trials), Lost in the Stars (apartheid), Tosca (political prisoners, war, capital punishment), Carmen (murder), A View from the Bridge (poverty, immigration law, murder), and Fidelio (wife disguises herself as a guard to rescue her husband from prison), among many others. It was a fascinating morning. Lawyers across the country will remember Justice Ginsburg’s unbridled commitment to equality, her integrity, her legal acumen, her brilliant advocacy and writing, and her graciousness and wit. But what has stayed with those of us who attended that day was her quiet grace, her generosity, and especially her PASSION - for opera, for the law, for her family, for the equality of all persons, and for our country. She once remarked that listening to “music is the one time when my head isn’t filled with briefs and opinions. All that is put on a shelf, and I just enjoy.” I hope that when we remember this unique and extraordinary woman, we are also reminded to find our passion and joy and take every opportunity to pass that on.

Elizabeth A. Bryson (New York Chapter)

Justice Ginsburg & Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye with fellow WBASNY members at a private luncheon during the Glimmerglass Festival at the Otesaga Inn in Cooperstown, NY. Photo contributed by Elizabeth Bryson & Theodore Peterson

Associate Justice Ginsburg was sitting on the bench watching a group of 25 of us being admitted to the Supreme Court during Amy Littman’s presidency. We could feel her support of Women’s Bar simply from her intent gaze. Afterwards we were graced with her presence at a reception where she congratulated us on our admission. I took one of the best photos I have ever taken in my life, when Justice Ginsburg locked eyes with Amy Littman and introduced herself. The steely determination and passion for women’s rights was easily visible in her kindly face. As an ardent fan of RBG, and having seen both the documentary and the movie about her, meeting her and having her admit me to the Supreme Court was truly a life-changing experience. When I became president of WBASNY, I felt it very important to try to offer the same inspiring magic I had felt being admitted before the Supreme Court and meeting Justice Ginsburg. When we were requesting an admission ceremony for 2020, I took a good deal of time to craft a letter to her hoping that she might be the justice to meet with our group from WBASNY again, including sending her copies of my much prized photos of her. When you apply to have a group admitted to the Supreme Court you are allowed to write individual letters to all the justices but you cannot invite just one of them to meet you. On October 31, 2019, Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg replied that she would “be glad to greet new members of the Court’s Bar from the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York at the post-admissions reception.” The letter was signed “Every good wish, Ruth Bader Ginsburg” and in that signature I felt she encapsulated her mother’s wish that she always remain a lady. Shortly afterwards, some of us had the pleasure of listening to RBG talk in Buffalo, at a presentation co-hosted by the Western Chapter of WBASNY. It was a “sit-on-the-edge of your seat” entrancing interview and, even though she was not well at the time, her answers and comments were clear and extremely thoughtful. It was a magnificent night. When COVID struck, our admission ceremony for 50 women attorneys for May 4 was canceled. With her illnesses and sad passing on September 18, 2020, the group of fifty WBASNY women did not get to be admitted by her honor, and we mourned the loss of one of the most important feminists and intellects of our time. Her life was truly ground-breaking and ceiling-shattering for all of us women in the law. Deirdre L. Hay, Past WBASNY President (Finger Lakes Chapter)

More Reflections of Justice Ginsburg fromWBASNY Members

WBASNY President Joy A. Thompson speaking at the RBG Remembrance Rally in Brooklyn, NY on September 20, 2020. Photo contributed by Joy A. Thompson

Brooklyn Chapter President Natoya McGhie & WBASNY President Joy A. Thompson at the renaming of the Brooklyn Municipal Building in honor of Justice Ginsburg on March 15, 2021. Photo contributed by Joy A. Thompson

Hon. Betty Weinberg Ellerin, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Janet Reno at the ABA Margaret Brent Award Ceremony on August 8, 1993. Photo contributed by Hon. Betty Weinberg Ellerin

Photo contributed by Hon. Betty Weinberg Ellerin

Betty Weinberg Ellerin Mentoring Award

Myrna Felder Myrna Felder, a graduate of Brown University and NYU School of Law was active in the founding of WBASNY, served as its President in 1986-1987, after having established the Matrimonial Law Committee, its first substantive committee. She has served as Co- President of JALBCA, of which she was one of the founders. Ms. Felder has also long served on the Board of Directors of the Office of the Appellate Defender, (“OAD”). A talented speaker, she has lectured widely among others for WBASNY and it’s many chapters, the American Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, New York County Lawyers Association, Appellate Division, First Department and at the many training programs for Matrimonial Judges, Special

Referees and their staffs as well as the Judicial Institute.

For many years, Ms. Felder authored a bi-monthly column on Family Law in the New York Law Journal.

Doris S. Hoffman Medal

Hon. Leslie E. Stein Judge Stein is a graduate of Macalester College and Albany Law School. She began her legal career as the law clerk to the Schenectady County Family Court Judges. She then became associated with the Albany law firm of McNamee, Lochner, Titus & Williams, P.C., where she practiced matrimonial and family law, and became a partner in the firm. While a practicing attorney, Judge Stein was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. She began her judicial career as an Albany City Court Judge and Acting Albany County Family Court Judge. She was then elected to the New York State Supreme Court, Third Judicial District for a term commencing January 2002. She served as the Administrative Judge of the Rensselaer County Integrated Domestic

Violence Part from January 2006 until February 2008, when she was appointed a Justice of the New York State Appellate Division, Third Department. In October 2014, Judge Stein was nominated by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to serve as an Associate Judge of the Court of Appeals and her nomination was confirmed by the New York State Senate on February 9, 2015. In 2020, Judge Stein was appointed by Chief Judge Janet DiFiore to the Commission to Reimagine the Future of New York’s Courts. She is a past co-chair of the NYS Unified Court System Family Violence Task Force. Judge Stein was a founding member of the New York State Judicial Institute on Professionalism in the Law and chaired the Third Judicial District Gender Fairness Committee from 2001 - 2005. She has also served on the Executive Committee of the Association of Justices of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, as an officer of the New York State Association of City Court Judges, and as a member of the Board of the New York Association of Women Judges. Judge Stein has lectured and developed curricula for continuing legal education of attorneys and judges on multiple topics. She has a long history of involvement in WBASNY and in the Capital District Women’s Bar Association, as well as in various other state and local bar associations, and professional and civic organizations.

Joan L. Ellenbogen Founder’s Award

Hon. Jacqueline Silbermann

Justice Jacqueline Winter Silbermann graduated Cum Laude from Bryn Mawr College in 1959. She went on to become a high school teacher licensed in the Social Sciences but after teaching algebra and geometry by designation. In 1972, Justice Silbermann graduated Cum Laude from Fordham University School of Law. Although she was asked to join the Law Review, she declined the invitation so that she could spend more time with her two children, Jeffrey and Jane.

Upon graduation from law school, Justice Jacqueline W. Silbermann worked as an associate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, P.C. and subsequently became a law secretary to Civil Court Judge Irving Smith and thereafter, Supreme Court Justices, Joseph R. Marro and Jacob Grumet. Justice Jacqueline W. Silbermann was elected to the Civil Court in November, 1983, where she sat from January, 1984 through December, 1985. In January, 1986, she was designated as an Acting Supreme Court Justice. A year later, Justice Silbermann was appointed Supervising Judge of the Civil Court, New York County and was assigned as an Acting Supreme Court Justice to an Individual Assignment Part handling primarily matrimonial actions. In March of 1989, Justice Silbermann was appointed the Administrative Judge of the Civil Court of the City of New York (the first woman to hold that position). In November of 1990, Justice Silbermann was elected a Supreme Court Justice in New York County. Justice Silbermann held the position of Administrative Judge of the Civil Court of the City of New York until January, 1997 at which time she became the Administrative Judge for Matrimonial Matters, a statewide position. In March of 2001, Justice Silbermann was also appointed the Administrative Judge of the Supreme Court, Civil Term in New York County. On January 1, 2007 Justice Silbermann was designated Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Matrimonial Matters. Justice Silbermann is an active member of many bar associations, including The Association of the Bar of the City of New York, The New York Women’s Bar Association, The Metropolitan Women’s Bar Association, New York County Lawyers Association and the New York State Bar Association. She has received numerous awards including the Harlan Fiske Stone Memorial Award, Benjamin N. Cardozo Award, Louis Capozzoli Gavel Award, New York Women’s Bar President’s Award, and the Doris Hoffman Memorial Award from the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York.

Justice Silbermann’s most important job is grandmother to her grandchildren, Rachel, Jesse and Justin.

Marilyn R. Menge Award

Maureen Crush Maureen Crush, a graduate of New York University’s accounting program and Fordham University School of Law, leads the corporate law practice of Crush & Varma Law Group P.C., in Goshen, New York, and is a frequent lecturer on all aspects of forming and advising businesses, notably those of licensed professionals. She represents closely-held businesses from start-up and formation through succession, whether by sale, merger or dissolution. Ms. Crush also has over 30 years’ experience in not-for-profit corporation law - forming and advising various nonprofit entities including entities subject to various NY State agency oversight and licensure as well as private foundations. She routinely advises nonprofit Boards regarding

fiduciary rights and obligations; governance issues, corporate acquisitions, mergers, restructuring, affiliations, and real estate transactions (including affordable housing) and taxation. Ms. Crush was a Vice President and Treasurer of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, a Board member for many years and a Chair and member of numerous committees. She currently is a Co-Chair of the Nominations Committee and Co-Chair of the Bylaws Committee. She has been a proud and active member of the Women’s Bar Association of Orange & Sullivan Counties since 2004 and has served three years as President, a year as Treasurer and numerous years as a Director. She also serves as a Board Member of Hudson Valley House of Hope, a shelter for survivors of domestic abuse, The Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie, The Wallkill River School and Dutchess Tourism, Inc. Ms. Crush has been recognized for her contribution to the legal profession and her community involvement and has been the recipient of several awards including the Champion of Justice Award from Legal Services of the Hudson Valley (2019), Distinguished Alumni Award from the Chamber Foundation (2019), New York State Bar Association Root/Stimson Award (2012), Golden Hammer Award from Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh (2012), Tribute to Women of Achievement Honoree (2012), Athena Honoree (2011), Outstanding Service to the Profession Award from the Orange County Bar Association (2010) and recipient of both the Rose Rosen Award and the Distinguished Attorney Award of the Women’s Bar Association of Orange and Sullivan Counties (2010).

Doris S. Hoffman Outstanding New Lawyer Award

Catherine Gonzalez Catherine M. Gonzalez is a Senior Staff Attorney and Policy Counsel in the Immigration Practice at Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS). She began her work with BDS as a Staff Attorney in the Criminal Defense Practice, defending indigent clients against criminal charges. Currently, she advises clients and attorneys about the immigration consequences of criminal and family court cases and represents non-citizens fighting to remain in the United States. Ms. Gonzalez also helps develop and guide city, state and federal legislative and policy reforms across BDS practice areas related to immigration issues. She currently serves as the Corresponding Secretary of the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association (BWBA) and is a member of the Criminal Courts Committee of the New York City Bar Association. She also serves as a mentor with the Latino Justice Next Generation Líderes (NGL) Mentorship Program. Ms. Gonzalez received a Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University and a Juris Doctorate degree from Pace University School of Law. She immigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic at the age of nine, grew up in Harlem, and lives with her son and her husband in Washington Heights, New York City.