❑ On September 15, 2020, the Real Property Committee hosted its annual kick-off meeting via Zoom. Although Covid has presented many real estate challenges, hosting our committee meetings via Zoom allows busy practitioners the opportunity to connect with each other and learn practice tips with minimum time commitment. Our guest speaker was our own committee member, Jean Partridge, Chief Counsel and Managing Member of Benchmark Title Agency, LLC, and President of the New York State Land Title Association. Jean answered the committee’s questions regarding title issues ranging from benefits of obtaining a new survey, what should be shown on a survey, options when an encroachment or “out of possession” is shown on a survey, marketability of title, and what is (and is not) covered by standard title policies. The Real Property Committee welcomes new members, whether you practice real estate law full time or would just like a better understanding of the area of practice. It’s a great opportunity to learn, collaborate and problem solve. Please join us at our next Zoom meeting on November 11th at 1:00 pm. Contact Anne Aicher at aaicher@hollislaidlaw.com for a Zoom invitation.

❑ Susan L. Pollet, former WWBA President, published her third novel, entitled “Women in Crisis: Stories From the Edge.” Each chapter is the story of a different woman, speaking with her psychiatrist, about important issues which impact upon all women and the men who care about them. It is available on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/ 1952570492.

❑ The matrimonial and family law firm of Goldschmidt & Genovese, LLP is delighted to announce the expansion of its firm to include three past presidents of the WWBA: partners Kathleen Donelli and Dolores Gebhardt and Chief Counsel, the Hon. Sondra Miller (ret.)

❑ The Cuddy Law Firm is pleased to announce that Westchester Women’s Bar Association member and Co-Chair of the Education Committee, Alison Morris, has been appointed as Co-Chair of the Disability Rights Committee of the New York State Bar Association. Alison focuses her practice on special education advocacy, litigation, assisting families in navigating the Office with Persons with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) system, and representing families at OPWDD and other administrative hearings. Ms. Morris is a frequent lecturer on topics of interest to both professionals and families on special education law. 

Q: When and why did you become involved in the WWBA?

A: The Westchester Women’s Bar Association offered a natural starting point for reinventing myself as a working mother when I was ready to pick up my legal career after taking time off to start a family.  At that point in my life it was important to connect with other women who had successfully navigated professional and family responsibilities.  As our culture is slowly starting to acknowledge, this careful balancing act is largely the province of women, and I found the support and guidance of the women I met at the WWBA to be a vital part of my successful re-entry.

      Some of the women I met through the WWBA during those early re-entry days ultimately became my colleagues and mentors.  A neighbor of mine suggested I reach out to Stephanie Melowsky who graciously responded to my out-of-the-blue email inquiry and invited me to an inspiring diversity lecture organized by the WWBA Diversity Committee. 

      Through Stephanie, I connected with then-president, Susan Edwards Colson.  Susan invited me to Law Day where I was inspired to see the WWBA reaching out to engage the next generation of lawyers.  Susan and I later went on to found and co-chair the Women in Professional Transition Project in order to support WWBA Members making changes in their legal careers, as I was doing.  This turned out to be a great way to meet and help other members.

      Around that same time, the WWBA hosted its annual Cocktails and Conversation event on the rooftop at the Red Hat.  I was introduced to then incoming president Lisa Denig who was her usual charming and energetic self.   She introduced me to anyone and everyone she thought I should know, including my future co-chair of the real property committee, and now trusted mentor, Michele A. Luzio.  After being introduced that night, Michele and I ended up co-chairing the Real Property Committee together for the next three years! 

      It’s remarkable to look back now and recognize how these inspiring and dedicated women supported me personally, and professionally, as I navigated my re-entry into the legal field.

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