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June 2009 - President's Annual Dinner Speech
by Deborah A. Scalise, Esq.
 I am very fortunate to be elected President of the Westchester Women’s Bar Association (WWBA), an organization that has helped me grow both professionally and personally. Over the course of the last two decades, the WWBA has become my second home. I do not mean a second home in the literal sense because, unlike other bar associations, we do not have a building dedicated to housing our membership. At times, we have been likened to a traveling road show; we have met in basements, living rooms, backyards and board rooms. But since the WWBA has evolved into an important forum for truly meaningful professional and social networking, we cannot be defined by a physical structure. Our “home” lies within our membership. We are home whenever and wherever we meet.
When I moved to Westchester from Brooklyn almost 20 years ago, I joined local bar associations to connect with my peers. I was drawn to the WWBA due to its interesting and informative newsletter with articles about its members and achievements. I became active in the WWBA when I had my first child, a daughter. I asked a professional colleague, Etta Biloon, then a Vice-president of the WWBA, if she would help me meet other members and she graciously took me to my first meeting. It was at this meeting that I was introduced to several women, most of whom remain active WWBA members, colleagues and friends today: Past President Karen Z. Bell, Rae Ellen Vitiello, the Honorable Mary Smith, the Honorable Terry Jane Ruderman, Jill Ruderman and the late Melinda Bass. Although they practiced law in a variety of areas, they shared certain qualities; each of these woman lawyers is intelligent, ambitious, and witty. Needless to say, they made me feel at home and inspired me to be an active member of the WWBA.
I am proud that the WWBA continues as a vital and dynamic organization of legal professionals, both female and male, who reside or work in Westchester County. Our collective wisdom, skill and experience enable our members to enhance their careers and businesses by providing better professional services to our clients and the legal community. Our mission is to:
• promote justice without regard to gender;
• advance the social, economic and legal status of women through the law;
• expand opportunities for women; and
• raise the level of competence and integrity in the legal profession.
The WWBA’s dedication to promoting justice also extends to the protection of rights of children and families through our pro bono activities.
With more than 600 active members, we are the largest chapter of our parent organization, the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY). The 18 Chapters of WBASNY unite to act as a powerful voice addressing specific legal and legislative issues affecting us all throughout New York State.
The strength of our organization is based, in large part, on its members, who practice in all areas of the law. This diversity allows us to educate, debate and advocate on all aspects of the law through the use of seminars, lectures and workshops on topical subjects such as bankruptcy, domestic violence, ethics and trusts and estates. Moreover, a member can consult our directory to contact another member to ask for assistance in a particular area of the law resulting in sound advice. I am proud to say that as Co-chair of the Grievance/Ethics Committee, we established the first Ethics Hotline to provide guidance to our members. This Ethics Hotline was also replicated to serve WBASNY members throughout the state. Our more than 50 standing and ad hoc committees also provide unique programs by participating with the courts, local bar associations, professional organizations, The Legal Services of the Hudson Valley and Pace Law School. As a result, the WWBA provides valuable networking, educational and professional support services to its members and the community.
Likewise, the WWBA the Community Outreach Committee educates our children and local students about our legal system. Outreach has allowed us to lead by example so that students may consider seeking legal careers. I would like to thank members of our judicial system who have opened their courts and devoted their time to hundreds of our children and local students for Law Day, Career Day and Take Your Children to Work Day. The Honorable JoAnne Friia, the Honorable Linda Jamieson, the Honorable Sandra Forster, and the Honorable Doris Friedman who lead an innovative Law Day Program for grammar school students. The Honorable Dan Angiolillo who carefully explained the role of the IDV Court to a student from the New York School for the Deaf. The Honorable Stephen Robinson, whose advice to eighth grade students on Career Day was not only sage but also engaging. The Honorable Lisa Margaret Smith, Deputy U.S. District Court Clerk Lorraine Lombardo, as well as the late Honorable Charles Brieant who repeatedly opened up the United States District Court for Take Your Children to Work Day. Notwithstanding their demanding jobs and busy schedules, by partnering with the WWBA on these programs, these dedicated public servants have provided these students with wonderful educational experiences about the legal profession and the legal system.
Over the next year, we plan to continue our efforts in educating our members and the community by adding exciting new programs. I am proud to announce that we are co-sponsoring the Justice Academy for Young Women, an idea presented to us by the Honorable La Tia Martin of the National Association of Women Judges. We will partner with the Westchester Women’s Bar Foundation, PACE Law School, the Judicial Institute, the Westchester Black Bar Association and LEXIS to educate 20 young high school women drawn from Yonkers, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle and White Plains. Needless to say, this is an important initiative because it will educate and inspire female students from communities in Westchester about the practice of law and legal career opportunities.
Additionally, we will offer our members, their families and the community new initiatives in health education awareness. At our September General Membership meeting, we will present a program about Prostate Cancer, entitled “Side by Side: Helping Men Win the Fight Against Prostate Cancer.” One may ask “Why is the WWBA teaching about prostate cancer - why not breast cancer or some other women’s health issue?” The answer is we have male WWBA members, as well as husbands, fathers, brothers and friends who may be diagnosed with prostate cancer. We need to educate ourselves to assist them in their fight against this disease. Of course, we will continue our efforts with women’s health issues such as breast cancer and heart disease by offering educational programs in October and February.
I would like to recognize and thank people in my life who have continuously provided support throughout my career. I thank Professor Ken Moran of John Jay College who dared me to apply to law school because he believed that I could succeed! My law partner and friend, Sarah Jo Hamilton, who, since 1990, has mentored, supported and shared both my professional and personal ups and downs. Our support staff, Cindy and Amy, who manage to keep us cool, calm and collected so that we can get the job done.
I would also like to thank and salute all of the foremothers of the WWBA; our Founders and Past Presidents whose perseverance paved a path for women in the legal profession to provide opportunities for those of us who followed. They remain available to us and continue to provide wisdom and guidance that can only be born from experience.
I applaud the WWBA’s Board which consists of Officers, Directors and Committee Chairs who tirelessly volunteer their time and skills to ensure that our members are informed about the most recent topics of professional interest in the ever changing practice of law.
Last, but certainly not least, I must publicly state that I greatly appreciate my family. My mother, Frances, a single mother, who raised four children, yet somehow managed her own successful business. Mom, thanks for inspiring me to do the same. My wonderful children, Marcella and Nick, who have learned to live with two lawyer parents, and have graciously accepted that our careers sometimes cut into family time. I hope they know that, no matter what else is going on, they are always our top priority.
My husband Jim, who is my partner, soul mate and a successful lawyer, in his own right. As fate would have it, we met during law school in a partnership class, began dating during a domestic relations seminar, and have been together ever since. His consistent support and steady guidance have allowed me to be where I am today.
Needless to say, the WWBA is still going strong after 35 years and we hope that you will join us to celebrate our celebrate our 35th Anniversary in 2010. The collective wisdom of WWBA members is a unique and valuable asset that offers us a treasure trove of information, experience and insight. By participating in an organization that is devoted to commonly shared goals, and uniting to meet those goals, I hope that you will find a “home” in the WWBA. As President of the WWBA, I promise to continue the fine efforts of my predecessors, to nurture and expand this innovative and vital organization so that we may use our “home” to better serve our clients, colleagues and the community.
Deb
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07/15/2009 3:15PM
