On June 4, 2025 – 50 years to the day after the original Charter of our Association, then known as the “Westchester Regional Unit of the New York Women’s Bar Association,” was signed by 27 founding members – the WWBA celebrated its Jubilee Anniversary, and Annual Dinner and Installation of Officers & Directors, at the elegant and rooted in tradition Mamaroneck Beach & Yacht Club. It was a special night, especially so for me, to feel the support of this esteemed legal community in the presence of family and dear friends. They were proud to be in your company and to witness the start of my presidency.

The WWBA was especially honored to have the Honorable Rowan D. Wilson, Chief Judge of the State of New York and the New York Court of Appeals, attend as our distinguished keynote speaker. Judge Wilson was so generous with his presence and remarks, informing and uplifting us all. In this newsletter, Vice President Angela DiBiasi has written a fabulous article, in collaboration with Judge Wilson, about his keynote address. In the energy of the moment it can be difficult to fully recall the details of a keynote address, particularly one so rich in history, and Judge Wilson’s was one to remember. We are grateful to have this record of his words.

We are also grateful to have a stunning visual record of the Annual Dinner and Jubilee, thoughtfully captured and compiled by photographer Alison Sheehy. The photographs show so many memorable moments, from the suddenly summery cocktail hour, to the rousing recognition of members of the judiciary at the beginning of the program, to the exciting announcements of award recipients, and even raffle winners – as many have agreed, the joy was palpable! If you have not yet had a chance to view the photo gallery, note that the link will expire on September 30, 2025.

Sincerest thanks to all who were involved in diligently and creatively planning the dinner, and to all who were there for the celebration.

Since then, the summer was filled with events and opportunities for the WWBA to develop our relationships within the broader legal community. Among highlights, on June 9th, President-Elect Shari R. Gordon and I, and leaders from the Westchester County Bar Association (WCBA), the Westchester Black Bar Association (WBBA), and the Hudson Valley Hispanic Bar Association (HVHBA), spoke with fellows of the New York Legal Education Opportunity (LEO) Program at a networking dinner at the Judicial Institute in White Plains. The LEO Program is a five-week summer course for college graduates from underrepresented groups who are entering law school in New York. It provides intense academic preparation in core first-year subjects and legal research and writing, alongside opportunities to network with legal professionals. The LEO Fellows enthusiastically received our messages about the importance of bar memberships, even while in law school, and we hope to see them at future events.

On June 12th, the WWBA Collaborative Law Committee, with the New York Association of Collaborative Professionals (NYACP), hosted a successful networking mixer at the Brazen Fox in White Plains. It was well attended by both organizations and new connections were made, with the intention of segueing those connections into developing programs for the year ahead – we hope to hear about best practices, emerging challenges, and issues that are outstanding in this field.

On June 25th, several WWBA members and officers attended the HVHBA’s Annual Gala! at the Greentree Country Club in New Rochelle. It was an inspiring night during which Judge Livia Rodriguez, Town Justice of the Town of Cortlandt, was installed as President. Court of Appeals Associate Judge Jenny Rivera was given a Trailblazer’s Award and delivered an impactful keynote address. Chief Judge Wilson again gave eloquent remarks honoring his colleague.

We look forward to continuing our collaborations with these bar associations. Significantly, we were privileged to be invited to participate in a Multi-Bar Summit on Equity and Allyship, conceived by WCBA President Brian Cohen and Angela DiBiasi, as Co-Chair of the WCBA Diversity Committee. The vision is to bring together our organizations – the WCBA, Justice Brandeis Law Society, HVHBA, WBBA, WWBA, Columbian Lawyers Association of Westchester County, and Society of Irish American Lawyers in Westchester County – for a two-day in-person summit that will confront antisemitism, racism, and all forms of hate; celebrate our communities’ shared histories of advocacy and resilience; build stronger relationships among our memberships; and equip attorneys with practical tools to be more effective allies. We invite the active involvement of WWBA members in the Summit, in addition to your attendance. The Summit is tentatively scheduled for March 30 and 31, 2026, at a location in White Plains. More details will be shared moving forward.

The summer also saw a rooftop meeting of the Judge Lisa Margaret Smith Book Club, as well as opportunities to get in steps and conversation on Saturday morning walks on scenic trails around Westchester. Marie A. Corliss, Esq., Principal Attorney and founding member of Corliss Law Group, P.C., along with her team, have given us a wonderful opportunity by conceiving and leading these easy Saturday hikes. Stay tuned for a formal offering by the Wellness Committee for a visit and private tour of botanical highlights at the New York Botanical Garden on October 25, 2025.

We had a successful annual Night of Networking in Irvington, reviewed in this newsletter by Corresponding Secretary Sakeena Naqvi, and, on the other side of torrential rains, we had some throwback laughs seeing “My Cousin Vinny.”

As we transition to fall, I’m excited to announce our upcoming Bench Meets Bar Membership Mixer, on October 30, 2025, at The Sailhouse in Tarrytown. Members of the judiciary are invited to attend as distinguished guests. WWBA members are encouraged to bring a new lawyer to join the WWBA. We know how beautifully the autumn sets in in Westchester County. I imagine this will be both a valuable and atmospheric night of networking along the Hudson.

With gratitude and excitement for the season ahead.