June 2010

• Beth A. Willensky has joined the Board of the New Rochelle Public Library Foundation.
• The Business Council of Westchester has named Erin Guven and Sheryl Frishman to the Council’s prestigious “Westchester’s Forty Under Forty” list and they will be honored on June 10.

May 2010

• Lisa M. Bluestein announces that Law Offices of Lisa M. Bluestein, LLC is now located at 30 Glenn Street, Suite 103, White Plains, NY 10603. The telephone number is (914) 948-4320. Law Offices of Lisa M. Bluestein, LLC focuses on commercial litigation, construction law and corporate law matters.
• New Rochelle Bar President Julie S. Kattan, also Vice President of the WWBA, emceed the NRBA Court of Appeals dinner on Monday, April 12th at the Top of the Roc, with over 100 attendees, and sweeping views of the city and Long Island Sound from the 40th floor of Avalon II. Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, the Hon. Jonathan Lippman was the featured speaker, who spoke about the state of the court system and several recent cases that came before the Court of Appeals. Court of Appeals Judges Carmen Ciparick and Theodore Jones, as well as Hon. Alan Scheinkman and numerous members of the judiciary were guests at the dinner. Also in attendance was WWBA President Deborah A. Scalise, along with many other WWBA members.

April 2010

• Jeannette Koster has been appointed Town Attorney of the Town of Yorktown.
• On March 12, 2010, the Matrimonial Committee held a luncheon to meet and honor Justice Francesca E. Connolly. Justice Connolly was elected to the Supreme Court bench in November 2009.
• Jessica Galligan Goldsmith, a Martindale AV-ranked attorney focusing on estate planning and probate, has joined Kurzman, Eisenberg, Corbin & Lever, LLP as a partner, effective March 1, 2010. Ms. Goldsmith, who was named a “New York Super Lawyer” in 2009 by Super Lawyers magazine, was most recently a founding partner of Goldsmith & Soloff, LLP. She represents and advises clients in the areas of domestic trust and estate planning and administration, tax planning for closely-held businesses and public and private charitable organizations, executive compensation and retirement planning, and related tax advice and litigation.
•  Adrienne J. Arkontaky of Littman Krooks, LLP presented “Life Planning for Families of Children with Special Needs” at 12th Annual Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) Conference in St. Louis, Missouri on March 14, 2010. Adrienne’s practice focuses on Special Needs Planning for families of children with disabilities, special education law and guardianship, and she is a frequent lecturer throughout New York State on issues facing families with disabilities.
• WWBA is proud to announce that two of its members will be receiving awards at the Above the Bar Awards Ceremony on April 29, 2010. Kathleen Donelli was chosen as this year’s recipient of the Leading Matrimonial Attorney award and Alayne Katz was chosen for this year's Most Socially Conscious Attorney award.

March 2010

• On January 27, 2010, the Hon. Janet DiFiore, Westchester County District Attorneyand Co-Chair of the WWBA Grievance-Ethics Committee participated in the New York State Bar Association’s (NYSBA) CLE program entitled “The Lawyer Media Relationship: Confronting The Ethical Issues.” The program was moderated by Joel Cohen and the panelists included Geraldo Rivera (Fox News); Nathan Koppel (Wall Street Journal); Alan Friedberg, Chief Counsel to the Departmental Disciplinary Committee; and renowned defense attorney Gerald Shargel. The lively discussion focused on an attorney’s ethical obligations and use of the media with respect to the matters they handle. The program was presented by the (NYSBA) Committee on Professional Discipline, which is chaired by Sarah Jo Hamilton of Scalise & Hamilton, LLP, who also serves as Co-Chair to WBASNY’s Professionalism and Ethics Committee.
•  WWBA President Deborah A. Scalise authored an article for the New York State Bar Association’s (NYSBA) Attorney Professionalism Column in its January February 2010 Journal. The article focused on ethics and professionalism issues related to conflicts of interest that may arise when moving from private practice to government service.
•  Congratulations and best wishes to the Hon. Jeffrey Cohen, the Hon. Francesca Connolly, the Hon. Charles Wood, and the Hon. John Colangelo, who were sworn in on January 21, 2010, at a ceremony presided over by the Hon. Alan Scheinkman, Administrative Judge for the Ninth Judicial District.
• Sylvia Goldschmidt, Co-Chair of the WWBA Legislative Committee and former Co-Chair of WWBA’s Matrimonial Committee, has become the President-Elect of the U.S. Chapter of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Sylvia will become the President of this prestigious association in 2012 at its Annual Meeting.
• Elizabeth Silleck recently accepted a position as a Regional Coordinator of the Energy $mart Communities Program, an outreach project of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Elizabeth serves as co-chair of the WWBA’s New Lawyer Committee, and serves on Pace’s Public Interest Law Scholarship Organization (PILSO) fundraising committee. Elizabeth founded and manages Clean and Green, an environmental awareness and education project in collaboration with the City of White Plains and the White Plains Business Improvement District (for more information, visit www.clean-andgreen.org). In her new capacity as an Energy $mart Communities Coordinator, Elizabeth will provide marketing and outreach in Westchester and Bronx counties, informing about and facilitating participation in NYSERDA’s financial incentives designed to encourage energy efficiency and renewable energy projects at the residential and commercial levels. For more information about the Energy $mart Communities program, visit www.getenergysmart.org.

February 2010

• Kevin J. Plunkett was appointed Deputy County Executive by newly elected County Executive Rob Astorino. On January 3, 2010, the Hon. Daniel D. Angiolillo, Associate Justice of the Appellate Division for the Second Judicial Department swore in Mr. Astorino as the eighth Westchester County Executive. WWBA sends its congratulations and best wishes to County Executive Astorino and Deputy County Executive Plunkett.  
• On February 17, the ABA will be offering Lisa Solomon‘s CLE program (co-presented with Hon. Gerald Lebovits), Powerful Writing Techniques to Help You Persuade Judges and Win Clients, as a teleconference and live audio webcast. The program (which has been approved for 1.5 New York CLE credits for experienced attorneys) will be followed by a Q&A session with the presenters. For more information about the program or to register, visit http://QuestionOfLaw.net/speaking_engagements.php.  
• Mary Beth Morrissey was accepted to the Faculty Fellows program at the Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging and Longevity of Hunter College.  
• Kathy N. Rosenthal, a partner in the law firm of Rosenthal and Markowitz, LLP, has been appointed to the Westchester Community Foundation Board. Kathy concentrates in the areas of trusts, estates and elder law, and is an Adjunct Professor at Pace Law School. She is the current Treasurer of the Westchester Women‘s Bar Association Foundation. She is a former President of the Westchester Women‘s Bar Association and a former Board Member and Secretary of the Westchester Public/Private Partnership for Aging Services. She also speaks in the community on behalf of the Pace Women‘s Justice Center.  
• After being re-elected for her second term as Supervisor of the Town of New Castle, Barbara S. Gerrard was sworn in by Congresswoman Nita Lowey on January 5, 2010.  
• Jeanna M. Alberga lectured at a CLE for the New York State Legislature on the topic of Adoption on December 16, 2009 at the Brooklyn Bar Association.  
• On January 15, 2009, Deborah A. Scalise along with over 200 students participated in the 8th Grade Career Day at Eastchester High School. They first heard from Anchor/Reporter Brian Conybeare of News 12 Westchester, who as it turns out, comes from a family of lawyers! Thereafter, the students participated in smaller break out group presentations by among others: Police Officers, Emergency Medical Technicians, ESPN Producer, Magazine Editor, Nurse, Stock Broker, a Restaurateur and, of course, a Lawyer. 

January 2010 

• Retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Hon. Robert A. Spolzino announces that he has joined the firm of Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP as a partner and will reside in the firm’s New York office. Justice Spolzino will concentrate his practice on appellate matters, municipal and environmental law, litigation, and attorney disciplinary proceedings, as well as taking an active role in the firm’s arbitration and mediation practice. Justice Spolzino will be the firm’s Senior Appellate Counsel and will chair the firm’s Municipal Practice Group.
• Judge Sandra A. Forster was appointed President of the Westchester County Magistrates Association, which represents all of the judges in the town and village courts in Westchester County.
• Rita K. Gilbert, proud mother of WWBA V.P. Lonya Gilbert, was honored on December 2, 2009 by the Westchester Community Foundation. She received the “Circle of Giving” award which recognizes individuals who personify the ideals of philanthropy through extraordinary personal service to their community and leadership by communicating a strong vision of change. Rita has been an active member, including past Chairman of the Board for the Foundation, and has contributed decades of philanthropic work for them. As an attorney, Rita has brought four funds into the Foundation. Notably, the Emily & Harold E. Valentine and Evelyn Gable Clark Scholarship Fund of the Westchester Community Foundation (“The Valentine Fund”) supports fellowships for promising young, economically disadvantaged artists and musicians at the post-college level. The fellowships enable these artists to make the transition from formal training to professional careers. The Valentine Fund is currently underwriting a film student at the Jacob Burns Film Center. Three other funds support scholarships.
• Claire Meadow who has presented multiple Residential Real Estate Transactions courses for National Law Foundation including courses on homes, condominiums, co-ops, Home Owners’ Associations, etc. has been selected by the Foundation as their expert in the field to cull, describe and comment on downloadable real estate forms for their website http://www.nlfforms.com to be launched on January 4, 2010. Among forms to be provided by Claire will be the new Statutory Power of Attorney, its Statutory Major Gifts Rider and the new Power of Attorney Full Force and Effect Affidavit required for Powers executed after August 31, 2009.

December 2009 

• Adrienne J. Arkontaky, Esq., of Littman Krooks LLP, was recently featured in a segment in The Journal News in Westchester County which included portraits of local heroes. The profile re- counted Adrienne’s personal struggles raising a child with special needs and her return to law school at age 38 to pursue her dream of assisting families in advocating for their special needs children. The article, which was published in October and entitled “Woman ́s Advocacy for Special-Needs Kids Pushes Her to Law School,” can be found on the Journal News website at www.lohud.com.
• Angela Zagreda announces that she has moved her office. Her new contact information is: Law Offices of Angela Zagreda, 2117 Crompond Road, Suite 25, Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567; (914) 788-4126 phone; (914) 788-5741 fax; azagreda@gmail.com. Practice areas: general practice, criminal, traffic, matrimonial and civil litigation.
• Susan M. Damplo chaired the Tarrytown segment of the NYSBA’s biennial day-long CLE program on New York Appellate Practice. Speakers included the clerks of the NY Court of Ap- peals and the Appellate Division Second Department as well as several members of the Second Department ́s judiciary. Ms. Damplo presented the lecture on Brief Writing and Oral Argu- ment and WWBA President Deborah A. Scalise spoke on Ethical Considerations for Appellate Counsel with Matthew Lee-Renert. 

November 2009

• WWBA Vice President, Julie S. Kattan, was sworn in as president of The New Rochelle Bar Association. The induction dinner was held on September 15, 2009, at the Top of the Rock (40th floor of Avalon II). The 75 members and guests were treated to spectacular views and a warm induction ceremony performed by the Hon. Daniel Angiolillo. 

October 2010

• Dale Robyn Siegel’s book The New Rules for Mortgages (Penguin/Alpha (2009) hit major bookstores in September. Dale had been asked to write the book after the implosion of the mortgage industry two years ago. Drawing on the most current data from lenders, credit reporting agencies, and home valuation/appraisal companies, The New Rules for Mortgages helps homeowners and real estate professionals navi- gate the new environment. Dale has been in the real estate industry for over 20 years and has recently been signed to WomenCentric Speaker’s Bureau as a real estate expert. For more information, see her blog at www.dalesiegel.com.
• Geri S. Krauss announces the publication of her book “Partner Departures and Lateral Moves: A Legal and Ethical Guide,” which is available at the ABA's bookstore (www.abanet.org).
• On October 8, Lisa Solomon will be co-presenting (with social media expert Nicole Black, Esq.) The 6 Things You Need to Know About Social Media, as part of a two-part program on social media for lawyers sponsored by New York Law School in Manhattan. On Friday, October 16, Lisa and Nicole will reprise their presentation at the ABA GP Solo Division’s National Solo & Small Firm Conference in Los Angeles, under the title Social Media for Lawyers: Six Important Principles for Effective Partici- pation. In both programs, lawyers will learn about six important principles, applicable across social media platforms, that will help them use social media to promote and market their prac- tices, showcase their areas of expertise, and network with other attorneys. For more information about these programs, go to www.QuestionOfLaw.net/ speaking_engagements.php.

September 2009

• The New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) Health Law Section recently released a “Summary Report on Healthcare Costs: Legal Barriers, Issues and Solutions” (Davino et al., 2009) under the aegis of its Public Health and Policy Committee.  Margaret Davino, Esq., Chair of the committee, is the principal author of the report. Also credited in the report, among others, are WWBA member, Mary Beth Morrissey Esq., MPH, Chair of the Collaborative for End of Life Care in Westchester and NYS Southern region, Joshua Lipsman, MD, JD, Westchester County Commissioner of Health, and Bruce Jennings, Hastings Center ethicist. 
• In May 2009, Beth A. Willensky presented a program on “The ABC´s of Starting and Operating a Small Business” at RECon, the annual “Reconnect” convention of the International Council of Shopping Centers held in Las Vegas, Nevada. RECon is the largest retail real estate trade convention in the world. In addition, Beth moderated a Town Hall Meeting of the ICSC leadership, the association’s members, and the convention’s vendors, exhibitors and other attendees.  
• On June 16, 2009, Sheryl R. Frishman was elected President of the Board of Directors of Westchester Arc. Westchester Arc is the oldest and largest agency in Westchester County serving children and adults who have developmental disabilities and their families.  Westchester Arc has over six hundred employees provide more than 1,600 individuals throughout the county with a broad range of innovative and effective programs and services designed to foster in- dependence, productivity and participation in community life. For more information on Westchester Arc please visit www.westchesterarc.org.