2021 | VOL. 2 | NO. 1 WILS Connect A publication of the Women in Law Section of the New York State Bar Association

WILS PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE: WOMEN IN LAW: ALWAYS WORKING, REFLECTIONS ON RUTH BADER Q & A with Terri Mazur and GAPPED ATTORNEYS ARE RETURNING GINSBURG Sheryl Galler TO LAWYERING FOR CASH CLE All Access Pass Maximize Your Time and Earn CLE Credits with On-Demand Learning

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Online only. Does not include live programs, CD or DVD products. All Access Pass requires member login and cannot be transferred. Annual subscription required. Contents Features WILS Past, Present and Future: Q & A with Terri A. Mazur 7 and Sheryl Galler Linda Redlisky WILS Members Contribute to a First-of-Its- 14 Kind NYSBA Publication: Virtual Lawyering WILS Connect Fa La La La La and the Practice of Law in the COVID-19 Age 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 16 Leona Krasner Regulars Women in Law: Always Working, Gapped Attorneys Are 17 Returning to Lawyering for Cash Message From the Chair Neva D. Strom 3 Terri A. Mazur Sharing a Coffee, Zoom-Style Message From the Editors 18 Leona Krasner Terri A. Mazur and 4 Laura Sulem Celebrating and Remembering Trailblazing Women Message From 19 Monumental Women Unveil Historic Women’s Rights the President Pioneers Monument in Central Park 5 Scott M. Karson Terri A. Mazur Remembering Hollis Salzman Member Spotlight on Kim Wolf 20 Terri A. Mazur 12 Price, Chair-Elect of WILS The Honorable Tanya R. Kennedy Wins NYSBA’s 2021 John Linda Redlisky 25 E. Higgins Diversity Trailblazer Award WILS Committee Spotlight: Robyn M. Frank Champions Committee Reflections on Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life Committed to 15 Deborah H. Kaye 27 Justice Linda Redlisky Section Committee Amy Coney Barrett: 103d Associate Justice to the United 43 Chairpersons 28 States Supreme Court Terri A. Mazur Highlights from the Year The Unusual Firing of U.S. Attorney 35 Geoffrey Berman: The Process and Is 21 Taking WILS’ Suffrage Exhibit and Presentation to Justice at Stake? the Courts Brendan Kennedy Virtual Reality: Our Year in Photos ‘I Had To Prove It, They Did Not’: 22 36 Kathleen Rice Discusses Campaigning 2021 WILS Annual Meeting: While Female 26 Ready to Lead: Advancing Women Leaders Brandon Vogel During the Pandemic and Beyond Law School’s Over: What’s Next? A 2020 WILS Annual Meeting: Staring Down Implicit 37 Conversation on Preparing for the 29 Bias in the Legal Workplace Practice of Law Laura Sulem Laura Sulem Women on the Move 2020 Highlights: Law Day 2020: Achieving Equality for Women in the 38 Resilience and Mindful Lawyering 30 Courtroom and in ADR Jennifer M. Boll Terri A. Mazur The Legal Process in New York State: WILS Toolkit Series: Sick and Safe Leave in New York 39 How “Revenge Porn” Became a Crime 32 Sheryl M. Galler Kaelyn Gustafson Addressing Systemic Racism in the Aftermath of Ivy Slater Gives Impactful Program on 33 George Floyd’s Murder Projecting Confidence in Leadership Christian Nolan 40 Laura Sulem 34 Celebrating Juneteenth: A Conversation With Networking Amidst the Pandemic Cheryl Wills 40 Leona Krasner Brandon Vogel 41 WILS Virtual Book Club Corner WILS Connect Women in Law Section Co-Editors Section Officers Terri A. Mazur Chair [email protected] Terri A. Mazur [email protected] Laura Sulem [email protected] Chair-Elect Sheryl Galler For information and submissions please contact [email protected] Kathleen Scott [email protected] Secretary Linda A. Redlisky Submission Guidelines Rafferty & Redlisky LLP WILS Connect welcomes the sub­mis­sion of articles of 438 Fifth Avenue timely interest to members of the Section in addition to 1st Floor comments and sug­ges­tions for future is­sues. For ease Pelham, NY 10803 of publication, articles should be submitted via e-mail [email protected] to [email protected]. Accepted articles fall generally Treasurer in the range of 1-10 typewritten, double-spaced pages. Margaret A. Sowah Please use endnotes in lieu of footnotes. All sub­mis­ [email protected] sions for con­sid­er­ation to be published in WILS Connect should use gender-neutral terms where ap­pro­pri­ate or, Delegate, House of Delegates Susan L. Harper alternatively, the masculine and feminine forms may Managing Director NY/NJ both be used. Please contact Kathleen Scott, Chair of the Bates Group LLC Reports, Surveys & Publications Committee, regard- 344 River Road ing further re­quire­ments for the submis­ ­sion of articles. Bogota, NJ 07603 Information on submission of articles can also be found [email protected] online at nysba.org/womeninlaw. Alternate Delegate, House of Delegates Unless stated to the contrary, all pub­lished articles rep- Kimberly Wolf Price resent the viewpoint of the author and should not be Bond, Schoeneck & King LLC 110 West Fayette St. regarded as representing the views of the Co-Editors or Syracuse, NY 13202 the Section or sub­stan­tive approval of the contents there­ [email protected] in.

Reprint requests can be made to [email protected]. Members at Large Please include the purpose and manner of redistribution. Jennifer Boll (Upstate) Bond, Schoeneck & King LLC Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities: 22 Corporate Woods Blvd Suite 501 NYSBA welcomes participation by individuals with disabilities. Albany NY 12211 NYSBA is committed to complying with all applicable laws [email protected] that prohibit discrimination against individuals on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of its goods, services, Honorable Tanya Renee Kennedy programs, activities, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accom- NYS Supreme Court 60 Centre Street modations. To request auxiliary aids or services or if you have New York, NY 10007 any questions regarding accessibility, please contact the Bar [email protected] Center at 518-463-3200 Lisa R. Schoenfeld (Downstate) Publication Date: March 2021 Schlissel Ostrow Karabatos PLLC 200 Garden City Plz Ste 301 © 2021 by the New York State Bar Association. Garden City, NY 11530 ISSN 2690-2001 (print) ISSN 2690-201X (online) Laura Sulem Thomson Reuters 3 Times Square New York, NY 10036 [email protected]

NYSBA.ORG/WOMENINLAW Message from the Chair

The unprecedented events and challenges WILS had a busy year as we pivoted we have faced over the last year have from in-person programs to virtual pro- tested all of us. The pandemic has grams in March when the world went into disproportionately impacted women, quarantine. WILS’ goal was to provide including women lawyers. Juggling constructive programs and an environment competing demands such as in-home for women attorneys to feel supported and schooling, childcare and elder care with encouraged during extremely challeng- the enormous demands of practicing law ing times. Notwithstanding the pandemic, is driving women lawyers out of the legal civil unrest, systemic racism, and political profession. But we have learned a lot uncertainty we faced, WILS had much to about our own abilities to overcome these celebrate in 2020. We marked the centennial challenges. celebration of women’s suffrage with pre- Women have risen to the challenge as sentations to courts around the state and to leaders of this country, countries around our members, along with voting rights and the world, and in the efforts to defeat CO- voter suppression programs. As you will VID-19. In a pivotal moment for women Terri Mazur learn from articles in this edition of WILS and girls, Kamala Harris has broken one of Connect, WILS presented many other pro- the country’s highest glass ceilings as the first woman, grams covering a host of issues, including the challenges and first black and South Asian person, to be elected vice and tragedies of 2020; launched our GCs Toolkit Webinar president. She is already inspiring women and girls to Series, a networking series and a popular book club; of- aspire to leadership positions. More women have been fered programs to help recent law graduates prepare for elected to Congress and state governments than ever be- careers in these difficult times; and held social gatherings. fore. Countries led by women have been more successful These programs will continue in 2021. at fighting COVID-19 than countries led by men. Women and women of color lead the vaccine development efforts. Get active! We want to include even more of our members’ voices in addressing the many challenges As lawyers, we need to seize upon the momentum impacting women attorneys and women generally today. created by the rise and success of women leaders to Our 15 committees offer something for everyone. Join a achieve gender equity in the legal profession and to en- WILS committee and help shape and influence laws and sure that women lawyers have equal leadership roles and policies impacting women, develop research initiatives on opportunities. As we hopefully turn the corner in 2021, issues impeding the advancement of women, engage men WILS’ theme is leadership. Strong and effective leader- to help advance women, or create innovative programs ship is essential to finding a path through this massive and events that enhance your professional development. upheaval, and having more women lawyers in leadership We welcome your ideas, creativity and passion. Inspire positions is critical to women attaining gender equity. us. It is an honor to chair this Section. I have had the privilege of working with and getting to know so many Warm regards, inspirational women and men who take the time from Terri A. Mazur their already busy lives to give back to women in the legal community. We are looking forward to a brighter year in 2021. WILS and our predecessor the Committee on Women in the Law (CWIL) have worked tirelessly for more than 30 years to advance women lawyers, as well as to address and advance women’s rights—pay equity, paid leave, child care, domestic violence, sexual harassment, reproductive rights, and health care are just a few.

NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 3 Message from the Co-Editors

Dear Members, We would like to thank WILS Chair-Elect Please enjoy the Sheryl Galler for writ- first 2021 issue of WILS ing and editing many of Connect, the publication the articles, as well as of the Women in Law every Section member Section. This newslet- who authored and con- ter went to press after tributed to the content we all experienced, of the newsletter. We together, a year of un- also thank our NYSBA precedented challenges colleagues Alyssa and change. It includes Colton, Section Publica- interviews with the Sec- tions Coordinator, and tion’s Chair and Chair- Lori Herzing, Publica- Elect, a message from tions Design Manager, the President of NYS- for their invaluable as- BA, features on WILS Terri Mazur Laura Sulem sistance producing and members and commit- publishing this issue. tees, descriptions of the impactful events we hosted in 2020, articles celebrating and remembering trailblazing As always, we welcome your suggestions and feed- women we lost during the year, and more. We hope you back, and invite and encourage you to contact the Chair enjoy reading about the subjects and events that matter of the Reports, Surveys, and Publications Committee, most to our Section members, and that they inspire you to Kathleen Scott ([email protected]), if you are interest- join a committee and take an active role in the Section. ed in contributing to future issues of WILS Connect.

Terri A. Mazur and Laura Sulem

NEW YORK STATE BAR ASSOCIATION

If you have written an article you would like considered for publication in WILS Connect, or have an idea for one, please contact the Chair of the Reports, Surveys, and Publications Committee:

Kathleen Scott [email protected]

Articles should be submitted in electronic document format (pdfs are NOT acceptable), along with biographical information.

REQUEST FOR ARTICLES

4 NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 Message from the President: Time for Leadership By Scott M. Karson

“I have come to realize that leadership requires that Secretary-Elect, we confront the world as it is, not what we wish it was.” Vice President and That was my message to NYSBA’s House of Delegates in Associate General June 2020, after Senior Associate Judge Jenny Rivera of Counsel – Metlife, the state’s Court of Appeals swore me in as president of to review why NYSBA. racial bias persists in policing and As lawyers, we are tasked as leaders. We are the provide recom- guardians of justice and protectors of the rule of law. We mendations to must never lose sight of that. By reason of our skills and policymakers, law licenses, we are singularly positioned to fight for justice. enforcement and The year is young, but we have many fights on our the judiciary to end hands. policing practices that dispropor- We are still fighting against racism. George Floyd’s tionately impact death at the hands of law enforcement, and the police- persons of color. inflicted deaths that have followed were not aberrations; Scott M. Karson they were the continuation of a long history of racism and • NYSBA and the inequality that plagues our nation. Women in Law Section (WILS) celebrated the 100th anniversary of the enactment of the 19th Amend- We are still fighting for gender equality, even within ment and the trailblazing American women, many our own profession. Three years ago, NYSBA’s Com- of whom called New York State home, who fought mercial and Federal Litigation Section Task Force on the long battle to help our country fulfill the prom- Women’s Initiatives issued a landmark report noting the ise of our democracy. WILS presented webinars on significant underrepresentation of women attorneys in the history of women’s suffrage, voting rights and, courtrooms across the state. The Task Force’s new study, with the Labor and Employment Law Section, the issued in May, revealed that little progress has been made ongoing battles against voter suppression. WILS’ to change that disparity. In November, the New York State widely acclaimed Centennial Suffrage Exhibit has Judicial Committee on Women in the Courts issued its lat- traveled to various NYS courts over the past two est report finding significant areas of bias with regard to years. WILS continues, 30 years after its founding the treatment of female attorneys, litigants and witnesses as a NYSBA committee, to advance women in the despite marked improvement over the years. legal profession and all women under the law. We are still fighting against voter suppression. The • NYSBA and the New York State court system right to vote has been under threat, not only by the pan- launched a pro bono partnership to help those in demic but by government officials at all levels. As New need address the many legal issues that have arisen York State Attorney General Letitia James noted during in the wake of COVID-19. our 2020 Law Day ceremony, “we face renewed attempts to deny the basic American right to vote, especially in • NYSBA expanded its pro bono network to assist communities of color.” The threat did not end on Election veterans discharged because of sexual orientation, Day. Rather, government officials at all levels continued gender identification, PTSD, sexual trauma and their attempts to disenfranchise millions of voters. And brain injury. on January 6, we saw how fragile and precarious the rule • NYSBA launched the LGBTQ People and the Law of law can be, when a violent and unruly mob stormed Section (formerly a committee), with the mission of the U.S. Capitol. advocating for and addressing professional, legal, While we recognize the challenges we face, we must policy and legislative issues that impact the LGBTQ also celebrate our efforts and progress: and allied community. • NYSBA created the Task Force on Racial Injustice • NYSBA honored the 30th anniversary of the asso- and Police Reform, co-chaired by T. Andrew Brown, ciation’s Lawyer Assistance Program and I created NYSBA President-Elect, Vice Chancellor New York NYSBA’s Task Force on Attorney Well-Being, which State Board of Regents, and Taa R. Grays, NYSBA has nine working groups studying ways to improve both the mental and physical health of attorneys.

NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 5 Among our many losses in 2020 were two of our civil The New York State Bar Association has long advo- rights leaders. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Gins- cated for diversity and inclusion in our profession and in burg, a native New Yorker who in her 87 years advocated society at large. At this crucial moment in our history as a for the civil rights of the disenfranchised, broke barriers state and a nation, as we struggle to overcome longstand- for women, and inspired countless individuals to use ing and deep-seated systemic inequalities, we must recog- their voice for good, passed away in September. NYSBA nize that true progress lifts everyone up. As a profession, and WILS have established a scholarship fund in her we must, and we will, accept our responsibility as lead- memory. ers to ensure that all attorneys, regardless of their race, gender, disability, sexual orientation or membership in Congressman John Lewis, a luminary in the civil any class protected by law, have the opportunity to excel rights movement, who inspired me to pursue racial and succeed. justice my entire life and whose insights galvanized his followers, passed away in July. Scott M. Karson is president of the New York State In their memory, and in memory of all of the law- Bar Association. yers and leaders we have lost over these many difficult months, we must take on the mantle of leadership to ad- vocate for our profession, the rule of law and equal access to justice.

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6 NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 WILS Past, Present and Future: Q & A With Terri A. Mazur and Sheryl Galler By Linda Redlisky

Terri A. Mazur (including billable hour requirements) is driving women Terri A. Mazur, current Chair of NYSBA’s Women in Law Sec- lawyers out of the legal profession, too. tion, will conclude her two-year term on May 31, 2021. She has As lawyers, we need to seize upon the momentum been a member of WILS and its predecessor, the Committee on created by the rise and success of women leaders to Women in the Law (CWIL), since 2008, and served as Co-Chair achieve gender equity in the legal profession and to en- of the Annual Meeting Committee from 2010 through 2019. sure that women lawyers have equal leadership roles and Terri is also on the Executive Committee of NYSBA’s Antitrust opportunities. Section and a member of the Commercial and Federal Litigation Section. Mazur’s practice has focused on securities and anti- Q: We have more work to do. Do you have specific trust litigation and complex financial services matters. areas of concern? Q: This has been an encouraging time for women A: We need to make meaningful progress now on in leadership positions. Do you want to share your increasing the number of women in leadership and other thoughts on that? positions of power in the legal industry, increase the number of women as first chairs in the courtroom and A: 2020 has wreaked havoc on our country and state in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), and eradicate with the COVID-19 pandemic, racism, deep political the gender pay gap. We will also continue to address and division, loss of jobs, and the tragic loss of countless lives. advance women’s rights in the workplace and beyond, But women have risen to the challenge as leaders of this including economic rights, child care and elder care, country, and countries around the world, and in the ef- domestic violence, sexual harassment, pregnancy rights, forts to defeat COVID-19. Kamala Harris has broken one and healthcare. of the country’s highest glass and concrete ceilings as the first woman, and first black and South Asian person, to be While women lawyers have made great strides—ap- elected vice president. Her election is a pivotal moment proximately 47% of incoming law firm associates are and will inspire women and girls to aspire to leader- women—law firms still lose significant numbers of ship positions. President Biden has assembled a diverse women by the time partnership promotion decisions are cabinet and an all-women communications team. We made and women partners still lag far behind in other will have more women leaders, and women of color, in positions of power and influence. The NAWL 2020 Survey Congress than ever before: at least 141 women will be tak- Report on the Promotion and Retention of Women in Law ing office.1 A record number of women will serve in state Firms reveals that once again women comprise only 21% legislative offices: at least 2,276 women, which is 30.8% of of equity partners (women are about 31% of non-equity state legislative offices across the country.2 Ninety women partners).8 NAWL recognizes that “change at this glacial currently hold statewide elective executive offices across pace” will mean that “future generations of lawyers will the country: 28.9% of the 311 available positions, of which continue to enter a profession where women and diverse 17.8% are held by women of color.3 Recent studies have attorneys are under-represented in positions of power shown that women-led countries have generally been and influence.” The American Lawyer has predicted that at more successful in fighting COVID-19 than countries with such rates, it will take until 2181 to achieve gender parity male leaders, and their countries have had fewer infec- among equity partners.9 The numbers are far worse for tions and deaths from COVID.4 Here in the U.S., a black women of color, LGBTQIA+ people and persons with woman scientist is co-leader of the team that developed a disabilities: women of color are about 3% of all equity COVID-19 vaccine5 and women lead the vaccine develop- partners, LGBTQIA+ people comprise 2% of all equity ment efforts.6 partners, and persons with disabilities are less than 1% of all equity partners—despite the fact that most firms have The pandemic has disproportionately impacted implemented diversity and inclusion programs. Women women. Women are more likely to have been laid off than remain starkly underrepresented in other leadership roles men. A recent study revealed that COVID-19 has caused such as managing partners, general counsels, U.S. Attor- more than one in four women—as many as two million neys, and other government positions. We need to make women—to consider leaving the workforce or downsiz- meaningful progress for women and other underrepre- ing their careers because of competing demands such as sented groups in positions of power and influence in the 7 in-home schooling, child and elder care. Juggling these legal profession now. pressures with the enormous demands of practicing law

NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 7 Women also still lag far behind men in serving as first sociation’s Women’s Forum ​to collaborate on developing chairs in the courtroom and in ADR proceedings, both a global outlook about women’s challenges and oppor- as lead counsel and in the number of women serving as tunities and forging international careers, programs, and mediators and arbitrators. The Commercial and Federal educational and mentorship opportunities for women Litigation Section’s Task Force on Women’s Initiatives’ from both of our countries. 2020 Report, ”THE TIME IS NOW: Achieving Equality For Women Attorneys in the Courtroom and in ADR” Among our many virtual events, we marked the (“2020 Report”), which updates their groundbreaking centennial anniversary of women’s suffrage with both 2017 Report, reveals how little progress we have made in solemnity and rejoicing, holding a number of programs three years. The 2020 Report found that women comprise on the history of women’s suffrage, voting rights, and only 25.3% of lead counsel—only a ½% increase in lead joining with the Labor and Employment Law Section for counsel roles. This is stunning and unacceptable, especial- a program on voting rights and voter suppression. WILS’ ly given that clients are increasingly demanding diverse widely acclaimed Centennial Suffrage Exhibit has trav- outside counsel as their lead lawyers. eled to various New York State courts over the past two years and we gave in-person presentations to several In ADR, it appears the number of female neutrals on courts pre-shutdown, concluding with a moving virtual ADR provider panels and the number of women actually presentation to the Court of Appeals in September 2020. selected to serve as a neutral increased between 2% and 12% in New York State across a number of organizations WILS drew on its diverse membership to reach out such as FINRA, AAA and JAMS, but this remains too low. to judges, politicians, professors, media, filmmakers and The 2020 Report offers excellent strategies to combat these others as we strove to address the numerous issues that problems and they need to be implemented at every level quickly unfolded as 2020 progressed, including civil of our profession. rights, systemic racism, bias, voting rights and voting suppression, and gender discrimination, to name a few. Finally, we must work harder to achieve gender pay WILS’ flagship CLE events addressed issues of central equity. Male equity partners in the United States “on av- importance to women: Our 2020 Annual Meeting fo- erage, out-earn their female counterparts by 53%.”10 Even cused on eliminating implicit bias in the legal industry when women bring in business, they generally receive and the Women on the Move (WOM) program—entitled only 80% of the origination credit that men receive.11 The “Resilience: Strengthening Your Career Through Mindful pay gap remains unacceptable and intolerable. Lawyering”—could not have been more timely or useful for all of us seeking practical guidance on finding balance Q: What tangible benefits does being a member of and addressing our emotional needs while practicing law WILS provide? in this very stressful time. We brought together four New A: We are women and men who support women York State and federal court judges on Law Day for a can- lawyers in working to close the gender gap, and WILS is did discussion on the need for more women lead counsel working at many levels to achieve our mission of ad- in courts and ADR panels, and as selected mediators and vancing women in the legal profession and all women arbitrators. Our compelling programs on civil rights and under the law. Membership in this Section offers many systemic racism issues brought to the forefront by the kill- opportunities to address the professional, legal, policy ing of George Floyd and challenges to the independence and legislative issues impacting women. These include of the U.S. Attorneys with “The Unusual Firing of U.S. developing and running CLE and other programs, Attorney Geoffrey Berman” were well-attended. speaking, researching and writing on issues impeding We were honored to develop and co-sponsor events the advancement of women, analyzing legislation that featuring: impacts women, and engaging men to advance women. This Section is filled with amazing, inspiring women who • TV news anchor and journalist Cheryl Willis’ per- are juggling their careers and families and also working sonal story of her family’s emancipation from slav- hard to help advance women. ery, which she shared in celebration on Juneteenth; ​WILS had a busy year, as we pivoted in mid-March to • lawyer and filmmaker Laverne Berry’s first-person move our programs online and adjusted to the challenges account of the ongoing fight against voter suppres- that women continue to face in the legal profession, sion; exacerbated by the global shutdown and other havoc • Congresswoman Kathleen Rice, who provided wreaked by the pandemic. We expanded our programs fascinating and, at times, painful insight into what and provided a nurturing, constructive environment for it’s like to be a woman campaigning for and hold- women and men to feel supported and encouraged in ing elected office, trying to represent her constitu- these difficult times. ents and be an effective lawmaker while fending NYSBA and WILS entered into a historic Memoran- off some of the most classic, historical challenges dum of Understanding (MOU) with the Nigerian Bar As- facing women in politics—including Vice President

8 NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 Kamala Harris—as well as in the legal profession; work on real solutions to the gender equity issues we and face. WILS needs the ideas of our members to tackle the difficult gender equity and diversity issues that still im- • the surge in domestic violence caused by bail re- pede the advancement of women, especially women of form and the pandemic quarantine. color and persons with disabilities. The WILS Legislative Affairs Committee held a Q: Do you have any words of advice for Sheryl Galler, highly acclaimed program on the New York State leg- the incoming Chair of WILS? islative process, focusing on how victims, activists and others advocated for the development and passage of the A: Work hard and enjoy the smart, inspiring, amazing “revenge porn” law, translating the idea into proposed women and men you will work with to advance women legislation, passing of the bill and signing it into law. Our in the profession and beyond! distinguished speakers were Edward C. Braunstein, New York State Assemblymember for the 26th District; Carrie Sheryl B. Galler A. Goldberg, a survivor, activist and advocate, founder of victim rights law firm C.A. Goldberg P.C.; Laurin Goldin, Sheryl Galler is associate dean of faculty, Syracuse University College of Chair-Elect of NYSBA’s Law; Monica R. Martinez, New York State Senator for WILS and Co-Chair of the 3d District; Jessica Morak, staff attorney, Sanctuary WILS’ Annual Meeting for Families; Lindsey M. Song, senior staff attorney with and Programming Com- Courtroom Advocates Project, Sanctuary for Families; and mittee, and will start her Jill Starishevsky, assistant counsel to Governor Cuomo. two-year term as WILS’ Chair on June 1, 2021. Our General Counsels Committee launched its Tool- She has been a member of kit Webinar Series virtually, spotlighting hot topic issues NYSBA since 1994 and important to general counsel and their outside counsel, a member of WILS and including changes in sick and safe leave laws during the its predecessor, CWIL, pandemic, data security and privacy, effective litigation since 2012. Sheryl is also management and current antitrust challenges to tech a member of the Executive and social media companies. Stay tuned for upcoming Committee of NYSBA’s Toolkits! Labor & Employment Sheryl B. Galler WILS is committed to advancing the newest members Law Section (LELS) and of the bar. We joined with NYSBA’s Young Lawyers Sec- practices employment law tion to host two very successful programs for recent law in New York City. school graduates and newly admitted attorneys on pre- Q: We know you are a lawyer and WILS leader, but tell paring for the practice of law under such difficult circum- us a bit about you outside of the law. stances. We will continue these programs in 2021. WILS is also launching a mentoring program for young lawyers A: My husband and I each grew up in Brooklyn and our and attorneys who are interested in moving in-house. siblings moved to the same neighborhood in Florida. We were singles in our late 30s living in New York but we WILS offered programs on building your brand and had never crossed paths. Then our Florida siblings set us effective communication skills, and joined with the Law- up on a blind date. Needless to say, the match worked yers in Transition Committee to expand the reach of our out! We forever will be grateful to our family. ongoing Networking series. Now I try to pay it forward by helping out a group Last, but not least, we offered our members some of volunteer matchmakers in my Manhattan community. distractions. Through WILS’ ongoing virtual book club It’s a bit funny because I am one of those individuals who series, we met four fascinating women lawyers who have have a hard time remembering other people’s names. become best-selling authors of legal fiction. WILS hosted Fortunately, most people I meet are patient with me. a series of virtual happy hours, inviting our members to celebrate April Fools’ Day, exchange “quarantini” recipes, My husband and I were raised to place great impor- play games, reveal their favorite junk foods and toast the tance on community and family. So he is supportive of end of the year. the time I dedicate to my matchmaking group and my NYSBA projects, and I am supportive of the time he dedi- Q: Before your tenure ends, what would you like to cates to his volunteer commitments. achieve? We also continued my long-standing practice of A: I plan to continue our efforts to make sure the Section hosting friends for weekend meals and holiday dinners, is diverse and inclusive, in both membership and leader- at least until this past year. That is definitely a part of pre- ship, to provide a meaningful mentoring program, and pandemic life that we miss and can’t wait to start again.

NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 9 Q: How did your career in law begin? As our Section Chair Terri Mazur described in her interview, WILS’ diversity also enabled it to connect with A: After law school, I worked at Manhattan law judges, journalists, politicians and professors to address firms where I handled commercial and employment law critical issues as they unfolded in 2020, including system- disputes. I learned a tremendous amount from my work ic racism, voter rights and voter suppression and gender and my colleagues, but after a number of years I real- barriers in politics. ized that the part of the work I enjoyed was counseling clients. So I started my own practice in 2016, focusing We have also been able to draw on our members’ on employment law, and joined Moskowitz and Book expertise and experiences to advocate for laws that help as counsel in 2019. I advise clients on federal, state and women and families. Just as one example, several years local leave laws, negotiate and draft employment, sever- ago our Legislative Affairs Committee wrote a report ance and non-competition agreements, draft employee advocating for a bill that would provide employees with handbooks and help clients develop and implement paid family leave. NYSBA adopted our report and sup- employment policies. I also conduct training on sexual ported the bill that was enacted in 2016 as the New York harassment prevention, conduct internal investigations State Paid Family Leave Benefits Law. of discrimination and harassment claims, and counsel clients on a wide range of employment law and compli- In June 2017, CWIL (now WILS) celebrated its 30th ance matters. anniversary. New York State Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul joined the celebration to congratulate us and Q: What led you to join WILS (formerly CWIL)? thank us for our advocacy work. The lieutenant governor specifically mentioned the Paid Family Leave Benefits A: When I joined CWIL in mid-2012, I was a partner at a Law as an example of WILS’ successful contributions to women-owned law firm and active in NYSBA’s Labor and advocating for women under the law. Employment Law Section. Those two roles brought home, for me, the importance of networking with women lead- Q: What current issues pertaining to women in the law ers in the profession as well as advocating for laws and are you following or most concerned about? policies that advance women and women attorneys. So when the opportunity came along to apply to join CWIL, A: As an employment attorney, I have been writing and I jumped at the chance. I joined CWIL’s Annual Meeting thinking a lot about sick leave and family leave laws. Committee and expanded my role in programming when Back in March, when COVID-19 shut down schools and we became a Section. workplaces, the U.S. enacted its first ever nationwide paid sick leave and paid family leave law. The law was far Q: What inspires you about WILS? from perfect, and it expired on December 31, 2020. But the need for such laws is not limited to times of crises. New A: The current and past chairs of WILS and members of York State recognized this in 2018 when it enacted its Paid its Executive Committee inspire me every day. They are Family Leave Benefits Law and again in 2020 when it en- an incredible group of women who are dedicated to our acted an emergency sick leave law and a permanent sick mission and passionate about the law. I am grateful to leave law. So I am following proposals for paid leave laws have them as friends, mentors and wise counsel. on a national level. Through WILS and its programs, I have met so many I also have been following reports and studies about women who inspire me: women who choose to serve the the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on women at- public interest through careers in government and the torneys in the workforce. The pandemic pushed more judiciary, women who fight for voting rights and equal women than men out of the workforce and increased rights, women who have risen to the highest levels of law women’s share of responsibilities for family care. But firm management, and women who started their own we also know that the pandemic has caused many firms, sometimes in areas of practice that I never knew employers to recognize the value of remote work and existed. Mostly, I have been inspired by our members flexible work schedules. So while I am concerned about who spend every day juggling family and careers. For the negative effects of the pandemic on women in the many of them, this past year has brought a whole new set workforce, I am hopeful that there will be a silver lining of challenges. here. Q: Why is WILS so important for NYSBA and the legal Q: Has the Section enhanced your practice/career/enthu- community at large? siasm for the law in some way? If so, how? A: Our members are diverse, not only in terms of their A: Definitely! When I decided to transition my practice personal characteristics but in their roles in the profession from commercial litigation to employment law, I knew I and their practice areas. This gives our Section insights could reach out to friends I had met through WILS and into the various challenges facing women attorneys and, LELS. They were happy to share advice from their own hopefully, how to move forward. career moves and their experiences founding their own

10 NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 firms, and make connections for me. I also benefited from Endnotes NYSBA’s programs on how to start and build your own 1. Center for American Women and Politics, Eagleton Institute of practice and its guidance for solo practitioners and small Politics, Rutgers University, Results: Women Candidates in the 2020 firms. Elections, November 4, 2020, https://cawp.rutgers.edu/election- analysis/results-women-candidates-2020-elections. WILS also provides me with the big picture on the 2. Center for American Women and Politics, Eagleton Institute of laws that I deal with every day in my practice. My days Politics, Rutgers University, Results: A Record Number of Women Will might include conducting anti-harassment training, Serve in State Legislatures in 2021, https://cawp.rutgers.edu/ election-analysis/record-number-women-state-legislatures-2021. drafting sick and family leave policies or reviewing vot- ing leave provisions in employee handbooks. Through 3. Center for American Women and Politics, Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University, Results: Women Candidates in the 2020 WILS, I have met the people who advocated for our Elections, November 4, 2020, https://cawp.rutgers.edu/election- anti-harassment and leave laws, and the legislators who analysis/results-women-candidates-2020-elections. sponsored and passed them. This has given me addi- 4. See, e.g., https://www.forbes.com/sites/avivahwittenbergcox/ tional insights into the law that I can use to advise my 2020/04/13/what-do-countries-with-the-best-coronavirus- clients. I was able to explore those issues in greater detail reponses-have-in-common-women-leaders/?sh=1d6226d73dec; https://ideas.ted.com/6-things-we-can-learn-from-how-women- when I wrote articles for the NYSBA Journal regarding leaders-have-handled-the-pandemic/; https://www.theguardian. the Family Leave Benefits Law and sexual harassment in com/society/2020/dec/16/female-leaders-make-a-real- law firms. difference-covid-may-be-the-proof. 5. https://nowthisnews.com/news/dr-fauci-spotlights-young- WILS also allows me, on a regular basis, to speak black-woman-who-helped-develop-covid-19-vaccine-dr- with women attorneys who are leaders and trailblaz- kizzmekia-corbett. ers. The best among them not only lead but help others 6. https://www.fastcompany.com/90573460/kathrin-jansen-pfizer- to make connections, develop skills, take on challenges covid-19-vaccine-scientist; https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/ and step into leadership roles. They inspire me to do the articles/2020-12-03/why-are-all-the-prominent-covid-vaccines- same. developed-by-women. 7. LeanIn.org., Women in the Workplace Study 2020, Introduction, Q: As you take on the role of Section Chair, what in https://leanin.org/women-in-the-workplace-report-2020/ your view are the Section’s priorities for the upcoming introduction; McKinsey & Co., Sept. 30, 2020, https://www. mckinsey.com/featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion/ year? women-in-the-workplace (“due to the challenges created by the COVID-19 crisis, as many as two million women are considering A: Three come to mind: leaving the workforce.”). First, to build on what we have always done: 8. National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL), 2020 Survey On identify legislative, social and political issues affecting The Promotion and Retention of Women In Law Firms, at 29-30, https:// www.nawl.org/page/nawl-survey (equity partner compensation) women in law and women generally, bring together (“NAWL 2020 Survey”). thought leaders on these issues and explore solutions 9. Roberta D. Lieberman and Stephanie A. Scharf, Walking Out the through our webinars, programs, journal articles and Door: The Facts, Figures, and Future of Experienced Women Lawyers in advocacy. Private Practice, ABA and ALM Intelligence Report, at 9 (Nov. 2019) (citing The American Lawyer, Special Report: Big Law Is Failing Second, to offer our members, especially those whose Women (May 28, 2015)), https://www.americanbar.org/content/ careers were adversely affected by the events of the past dam/aba/administrative/women/walking-out-the-door-4920053. year, webinars on how to build their brand and enhance pdf. their skills, as well as programs to network and connect 10. NYSBA, Commercial & Federal Litigation Section Task Force on with each other. Women’s Initiatives, The Time Is Now: Achieving Equality for Women Attorneys in the Courtroom and in ADR, at 13 (May 11, 2020) (“2020 Last, but certainly not least, to reach out to more of Report”),https://nysba.org/app/uploads/2020/05/ComFed_- WomensInitiatives_Report-Cover_5.28-merged.pdf ABA; see also our members and encourage them to get involved. We ABA, Cynthia L. Cooper, Broken Rung on the Career Ladder, A New want to hear from our members about their interests and Analysis of Problems Encountered by Women Lawyers in Private Practice, concerns, and what programs we can offer that will be Jan. 21, 2020, https://www.americanbar.org/groups/diversity/ most useful to them. women/publications/perspectives/2020/january/broken-rungs- the-career-ladder-new-analysis-problems-encountered-women- WILS has 15 different committees offering at lawyers-private-practice/#:~:text=Men%20earned%20 %24959%2C000%20on%20average,four%20previous%20 least 15 different ways to get involved with the Sec- surveys%20since%202010. tion and our mission, and multiple opportunities for 11. NYSBA, Commercial & Federal Litigation Section Task Force on public speaking, writing, advocacy, networking and Women’s Initiatives, 2020 Report, at 13, https://nysba.org/app/ leadership. uploads/2020/05/ComFed_-WomensInitiatives_Report- Cover_5.28-merged.pdf ABA; see also NAWL 2020 Survey, at 24, 36, We invite anyone who wants to get involved with the https://www.nawl.org/page/nawl-survey (equity partner compen- Section to reach out to me or any of our Section chairs. We sation). look forward to connecting with our members!

NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 11 Member Spotlight: Kim Wolf Price, Chair-Elect of WILS By Linda Redlisky

Kim Wolf Price, a member of the Executive Q: You returned to the private sector Committee of NYSBA’s Women in Law Section in January 2020 at Bond, Schoeneck & and currently WILS’ Alternate to NYSBA’s King. What prompted that change and House of Delegates, will serve as Chair-Elect of what’s your role there? WILS starting June 1, 2021 and become Chair of the Section on June 1, 2023. A: My role with Bond is a new role for the firm. I am serving as the attorney Q: How did your career in law begin? professional development and diversity officer. Bond and I started talking about A: Throughout my 17-year career as an the opportunity in June 2019 and I joined attorney, I have always been guided by the at the start of 2020. The role fits my passion idea of staying open to new opportunities. for making our profession more inclusive. I began my legal career as a litigation and There is a great deal of work to be done. dispute resolution associate at the New This move, even during 2020, has been York City office of Clifford Chance. After a challenging, but incredibly rewarding. It few years in practice, and the birth of my was absolutely the right move. oldest child, my husband Fred received an opportunity at a firm outside of New York Q: It’s no surprise you are a mem- City. We decided to take the opportunity Kim Wolf Price ber of NYSBA’s Diversity and Inclusion and move closer to family. In Syracuse, I (D&I) Committee. Did your job at Bond began working for a small environmental law firm where drive your interest in the committee or did your interest they encouraged me to become more active in the New in D&I influence your job choice? York State Bar Association, an opportunity I happily took. Commercial and Federal Litigation was the first Section A: The need for equity and access in the legal profes- I was part of, attending events and Annual Meeting, sion and beyond has always been important to me. My including the luncheon. involvement with the D&I Committee all starts with the Lawyers in Transition Committee. I became an active Q: How did you start your career in higher member of NYSBA by volunteering to review resumes at education? the Career Development Conference at Annual Meeting. Within a year, I was organizing panels and presentations. A: After a year at the firm, another opportunity Not long after, I was deputy chair and then chair of the arose during a phone call with a mentor and friend from Lawyers in Transition Committee. I was part of the team Syracuse University College of Law. They were looking planning Annual Meeting’s Career Development Confer- for someone to join the professional development office ence. We were planning with the Diversity and Inclusion to work with law students. One of my friends and former Committee. The D&I team was fantastic. Sandy Buchanan office mates at Clifford Chance used to say I should and I worked really well together. I knew she was in charge the other associates for the career advice I would line to be chair, so I asked her if I could be appointed to give them. It seemed like an interesting transition, so I NYSBA’s D&I Committee, and then she asked the NYSBA made the move. president and made it happen. I’ve also been part of During my time at Syracuse Law, I served in several planning and moderating the Constance Baker Motley roles, including the assistant dean for professional and Symposium in past years, I currently chair the Youth Law career development. My last role at Syracuse Law was Day Subcommittee, and I’m assisting the D&I Committee director of externship programs. In that role I taught Chairs on other programming. lawyering seminars, worked closely with students on Q: How did you come to WILS? What committees or research papers, advised the Pro Bono Fellow, taught the activities are you involved in for WILS? Pro Bono Scholars Seminar and created the full semester in New York City externship program. A: I will say that former NYSBA presidents Glenn Lau Kee, David Miranda and Claire Gutekunst were all instrumental in keeping me engaged and helping me find places within NYSBA where I could be of service. When I mentioned my interest in the then Committee on Women in the Law, much like with Lawyers in Transition and Di-

12 NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 versity & Inclusion, I received tremendous support. So, as Being an active member of the Women in Law Section for the Women in Law Section, I was part of the group un- gives you access to talented, smart and creative women der our then Chair and leader, Susan Harper, who helped attorneys—people making a difference to their clients and in the transition from Committee to Section. I would be our profession every day. I am grateful for this opportu- remiss if I didn’t mention that it was my work on the nity to continue to learn and grow in our profession and Women on the Move (WOM) planning committee that re- to work with others to make it more inclusive, equitable ally brought me into the group. I volunteered to join and and accessible. found Linda Redlisky and Debra Hamilton, then Chairs Q: As you take on the role of Chair-Elect of WILS, of WOM and current WILS Executive Committee (EC) what are the issues you plan to focus on in the upcom- members, to be creative, smart, welcoming and support- ing year? ive. I ended up co-chairing WOM with Morghan Rich- ardson (also a WILS EC member) after Linda and Deb. A: First and foremost is to continue the excellent work Those programs—and planning them— were inspiring of our current Chair, Terri Mazur, and current Chair- and truly helped me build my network within WILS and Elect, Sheryl Galler. They are doing amazing work and I NYSBA. I currently serve as the Alternate to the House of am grateful for their leadership. I am looking forward to Delegates, working with WILS Delegate Susan Harper to working with Laura Sulem (Executive Committee mem- monitor activities that impact the Section and the Bar, and ber, WILS member at large and Co-Chair of the Program- I will become Section Chair in June 2023. ming Committee) on programming and I hope to focus on continuing our efforts to make sure the Section is diverse and inclusive, in both membership and leadership.

WILS launched a networking series in 2020. These interactive programs focused on speed networking, supercharging networking skills and how to open and close networking conversations, as well as the next steps people should take.

NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 13 WILS Members Contribute to NYSBA’s First-of-Its-Kind Publication: Virtual Lawyering: A Practical Guide This summer, NYSBA published a first-in-the-nation vides general practice tips as well book on how lawyering has been affected by the pandemic as practical tips specific to matri- Virtual and the future of virtual lawyering, entitled Virtual Lawyer- monial and family law attorneys. Lawyering: ing: A Practical Guide. As editor of the e-book, Mark A. Ber- As new virtual options became A Practical Guide

Editor man, partner at Ganfer Shore Leeds & Zauderer, proudly available for divorce and family Mark A. Berman, Esq. asked several of his colleagues on NYSBA’s Women in cases, many attorneys resorted Law Section’s Executive Committee to contribute chapters. to alternative dispute resolution These authors wrote on the most sensitive issues attorneys options, briefly discussed in the and clients have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, chapter. The matrimonial courts topics that will remain in the forefront for the foreseeable for New York City have all started, future: elder law counseling, the effect of the pandemic on in varying phases, to include family and children, and matrimonial law. routes to mediation or neutral court evaluation, in aiding parties NEW YORK STATE BAR ASSOCIATION Chapter 17: Elder Law Counseling Post COVID-19: to come to compromises more A Practical Approach, by Linda Redlisky quickly and without the necessity of a trial. What are the Chapter 17 is authored by Linda A. Redlisky, who con- best methods and options available to divorce and family centrates her practice in elder law. This chapter focuses on lawyers as they navigate this new virtual framework and the practice of elder law during a pandemic, explores how how can lawyers keep their cases moving forward? While to deliver elder planning services to a vulnerable popula- no one can predict with accuracy the long-term results tion, and describes the challenges of pivoting to a virtual of the courts’ shift to a virtual world, to view this seismic method of counseling. Specifically discussed are issues flex as a trend reserved strictly for emergencies would be relating to the ethical representation of clients with dimin- folly—the benefits of virtual lawyering are here to stay. ished capacity with suggested methods and protocols to ensure the maintenance of a “normal client-lawyer relation- Virtual Lawyering Contributors ship.” Other topics include strategies to ensure communica- Mark A. Berman (editor) is a partner in the commercial tions are confidential and without undue influence when litigation practice of Ganfer Shore Leeds & Zauderer. Mark counseling clients remotely, and tips for curbside or virtual is on the Executive Committee of NYSBA and is the found- execution of documents in a safe but compliant manner. ing Chair of its Committee on Technology and the Legal Lastly, the author offers advice regarding ways to address Profession. He is also the former Chair of NYSBA’s Com- elder abuse and exploitation under the cover of COVID— mercial and Federal Litigation Section. Mark is co-chair of the mandate and duty of an elder law practitioner. We re- the Technology Working Group of Chief Judge DiFiore’s main in the eye of the storm, working with the elderly, who Commission to Reimagine the Future of New York’s Courts. are directly in the crosshairs of the current pandemic. They Leona Krasner is founder and managing partner of need to know we are here even if they can’t see us. Krasner Law, a matrimonial and mediation law firm that Chapter 18: The Effect of COVID-19 on Family assists clients in New York and New Jersey. Leona is also Law and Children, by Leona Krasner Chair of Communications of NYSBA’s Women in Law Section. She lives in New York City with her husband. This chapter by Leona Krasner, founder of a fam- You can learn more about Leona at www.Lkrasner.com. ily law practice, describes how COVID-19 took the legal world by surprise and how the profession largely went Linda A. Redlisky is a partner at Rafferty & Redlisky, virtual in the spring and summer of 2020. Matrimonial concentrating in elder law, including contested guardian- and family law in particular were significantly affected, ships, appeals, and Medicaid planning. She is a member of especially in the following four types of cases: enforce- the Executive Committee of NYSBA’s Elder Law and Special ment of a court order, modification of visitation, modi- Needs Section and co-chairs its Client and Consumer Affairs fication of custody, and modification of child support. Subcommittee and the Subcommittee on Community Out- Wherever possible, parents should be encouraged to find reach. She is also the secretary of the Women in Law Section. middle ground, and execute a consent agreement instead Morghan Leia Richardson is a matrimonial partner at of waiting additional weeks and months for a court date. the firm Davidoff, Hutcher & Citron. She was named by Chapter 19: Virtual Tips for Matrimonial and Super Lawyers for 2020, and has previously been listed as Family Lawyers, by Morghan Richardson a Super Lawyers Rising Star and by the American Society of Legal Advocates as a Top 40 Family Lawyer in New This chapter on virtual lawyering, written by Morghan York. Morghan is an active member of NYSBA’s Women Richardson, Esq., a matrimonial partner at Davidoff Hutch- in Law Section and nonprofit organization Lawyer Moms er & Citron, reviews available tools and software and pro- of America. See her blog at www.TheDivorceArtist.com.

14 NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 WILS Committee Spotlight: Champions Committee By Deborah H. Kaye

The Champions: Men Advancing Women Committee, advantage of victims’ fears and vulnerabilities brought led by co-chairs Deborah Kaye and Mark Berman, engag- on by the COVID-19 pandemic, and also included tips on es men as partners to advance women in the profession, identifying and combating Zoom fraud and cyberattacks the New York State Bar Association, and society generally. on children. Importantly, the committee’s programs are not just for Previous events have included ”Baseball, Beer, women. Men benefit, have fun, and attend our events! Bats and Stats,” held on September 26, 2019. This event The committee’s activities include: featured (and hit a “home run” with) Yogi Berra’s grand- • Drinks and Dialogues, which are small gatherings daughter Lindsay Berra, a freelance sports journalist; discussing gender issues in a safe environment for Michael Mellis, senior vice president and chief legal of- men and women over drinks and food; ficer of the New York Yankees; and Nicole Marschean, a member of Foley & Lardner’s Sports and Entertainment • Traditional events with speakers and panelists, Industry Team. The panelists discussed current legal is- including CLE programming; and sues in baseball and explained baseball terms and strat- • Supporting legislation and policies that advance egy (with hot dogs, beer and cracker jacks). women and commenting on women’s issues in the The committee is exploring an event on poker strat- news. egy and using your “poker face” in negotiations, and a program on how the online gaming industry is changing Drinks and Dialogues as more women are entering this space. We also hope to schedule an in-person event on “How to Be a Foxhole The in-person Drinks and Dialogues events we Buddy,” featuring a general counsel or a CEO, as soon as hosted were quite popular, with participants often staying the pandemic ends. We encourage all men and women in- well past the end. “It’s Not What You Said, but How You terested in these events to join WILS and the Champions Said It,” led by Diane DiResta, an expert in workplace Committee and welcome your ideas for future events! communications, was held on November 20, 2019. Ms. DiResta provided advice to a packed room of men and Deborah H. Kaye, co-chair, Champions Commit- women on issues such as talking over everyone else in tee, is a former managing director and senior managing the room, how to ensure your audience is listening and counsel at BNY Mellon, where she was the chief man- taking you seriously, and what to do when someone in aging attorney for multiple companies in the interna- the room repeats what you just said and is getting credit tional securities, futures, mutual funds, and collateral for it. She also addressed tone of voice for both women business lines. She also created their Global Pro Bono and men and provided tips on effectively setting a tone in Committee. Previously she worked at several other emails. major international financial institutions, including JP Morgan Chase. The Committee is planning a virtual Drinks and Dialogue discussing how women and men interview each other, and how attorneys, investigators, and consultants can avoid gender and age stereotyping.

Other Events and Programming At the beginning of the pandemic, on April 15, 2020, the Committee held a webinar entitled “FBI Presents: How to Avoid Cyber Fraud and Other Cyber Scams During Covid-19.” Michael DeNicola, special agent in the Federal Bureau of Inves- tigation’s Cyber Division, New York Field Office, provided a primer on cyber fraud and fo- cused on cyber scams that take

NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 15 Fa La La La La and the Practice of Law in the COVID-19 Age By Leona Krasner

Holidays looked a little different in 2020. In the midst ing exponentially. Throw virtual learning kids and the of the pandemic, the line between business and personal spouse into the mix, and it can feel like a lot. life has blurred. When is work stopping for the day, and why should it stop? Is it really a holiday if we’re only at When it feels as though everything is urgent, and home, in our pajamas, not celebrating in person this year? should have all been handled yesterday, if not last week, Does it make sense to pick up when a client or potential consider doing the following: make a list of the top three client calls on Christmas Eve? items that absolutely must get done today. For those items that involve multiple steps, write out the steps. Then, focus exclusively on the first item. If it is still hard Setting Boundaries to focus, consider setting a timer. You are not allowed to The pandemic has made working from home in yoga check your phone, or your email, or the news, or anything pants almost a requirement for the vast majority of legal else until that timer goes off. Additionally, consider mak- professionals. The oft-dreaded commute home, which ing a list of items that must get done in the evening before typically signaled the transition from work to personal bed. That way, you won’t be as likely to have the list of time, has been eliminated for most. As such, attorneys are the to-dos scrolling through your head keeping you up at working longer hours. I find myself picking up the work night, or waking you up early in the morning. phone later at night and on weekends, far more often than Finally, give yourself the freedom of knowing that it I ever had before. The result: attorneys are busier, more does not all need to get done today. It simply can’t. Write frenzied, and can use a vacation now more than ever. down those aspirational goals and, better yet, put them Though vacations are not an option for most right in your calendar. Only the essentials need to be targeted now, consider establishing boundaries, then telling oth- today. ers of them, so that you will be more likely to stick to them. What time does your practice “close?” When do Planning for the New Year you turn the computer, or at least the monitor, off each day? Between what times will you accept work-related If I had a dime for each person who mentioned that calls? Most importantly, what do you need to establish no one could have foreseen what 2020 would bring in in your life to stay motivated, continue to produce your 2019. . . . However, we are poised at a pretty revolution- best work, and not get bogged down with fatigue and ary time in the legal arena. Courts have gone virtual. Law burnout? firms have gone virtual. Clients’ expectations have gone virtual. So, though I cannot predict how 2021 will go, I do I decided to establish a “work sabbath” from Friday know that you are in the driver’s seat at quite the oppor- evenings to Saturday evenings and “unplug,” where I do tunistic time. no work-related activity unless it is an emergency. While not quite the equivalent of a vacation spent on the beach, What would you like for 2021 to bring you, both it has made such an impact on my practice. I am far less professionally and personally? What do you want that burned out. I am excited to start the week ahead, problem revenue number to be? How many clients? How many solve, and make a difference for my clients. I am renewed hours? I challenge you to think big. And then, think a and refreshed at the start of each week. little bit bigger. Set it down on paper. Then, make a plan. How will you hit that audacious number? How do you What small boundary can you commit to making in break the big 2021 number down to a per-month, then your life, to sweeten your practice of the law? a per-week number? What do you need to do, to put in place, to make it happen? Zeroing in on the Priorities 2020 was a year unlike any other. Cheers to a better During pandemic times, especially in the new purely new year, and one in which we each feel much more in digital age, many more things have seemed to be priori- the driver’s seat instead of the caboose. ties than usual. Courts are scheduling cases one on top of the other, and litigators, at least in matrimonial practice, are often trying upwards of three matters via virtual court per day. The phone may be ringing off the hook. Emails, already so prevalent pre-COVID, appear to be multiply-

16 NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 Women in Law: Always Working, Gapped Attorneys Are Returning to Lawyering for Cash By Neva D. Strom

We were lied to. working constantly, but I don’t get paid in cash that I can use at the grocery store.” For I believe that there is reward I grew up in the 1960s and 1970s during the Women’s and compensation for all our efforts. Liberation movement to get women “equal rights.” The message was we could now have everything, no holds With the elders all gone, and the kids grown and barred. There was even an Enjoli perfume ad in 1978 boast- launched, I’m back to attorney-ing. I was shocked to hear ing it was “the eight-hour perfume for the 24-hour wom- that firms now average 18% women partners. What? an” by singing, “I can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a Is that all? As I looked to get hired as an associate in a pan, and never let you forget you’re a man. I’m a woman!” firm’s T&E practice, I realized the problem. Women are I entered New York Law School after a gap for work fully the only ones getting pregnant. Unhappy with the juggle believing I was equal to all of my classmates, 50% of whom of 2,000+ billables annually and time for their kids, many were women. We’d made it! Equality was here! step out of law. So the initial 50% women in the first-year pipeline dwindles disproportionately and equity is lost. Except it wasn’t. I was admitted to the bar in a reces- sion in 1992. Firm mastheads at the time showed a dearth We need to change. The most obvious way is to create of women partners, and hiring was non-existent for me as an intentional path for gapped women to re-enter the a first-year associate with a passion for and lots of train- legal workforce. A training program designed for them ing in trusts and estates alone. I hung out my shingle. would accomplish this effectively. The investment banks Having delayed parenthood until I was licensed, I got and tech firms (who compete with law firms for JD can- pregnant a few months later. I continued my solo practice, didates) already have these programs in place to recruit working from home while being the full-time parent of women, train them, and sponsor them. Law firms train an infant, trying to sound professional when the phone attorneys every year. I’m in WILS to make this happen rang at 6:30 p.m. with an unscheduled client while I stood more easily. Will you join the cause? stirring sizzling food on the stove with my little one Neva D. Strom is a Manhattan-based trusts and vocalizing and crawling around my feet. Hey, all of you estates attorney, serving clients at all stages from estate home-schooling-while-working-your-job-during-COVID- planning through probate. She is expanding her scope 19-shut-down parents: sound familiar? to include contested matters in the New York Sur- When pregnant with my second child, I realized the rogate’s courts, with a particular passion for the bur- impossibility of maintaining my high standards for both geoning elder fraud/financial abuse area. She is active my performance as a parent and an attorney, so I closed in NYSBA’s T&E, Elder Law, and WIL Sections, and shop for just “a few years.” Then my family elders (four) volunteers with the COVID-19 Pro Bono Voluntary Ad- needed my care and assistance. Suddenly, my gap grew ministration program. Please connect with her at www. to 20 years away from law. People would ask me on the Linkedin.com/Neva. playground if I was “working” and I said, “Yes! I am

NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 17 Sharing a Coffee, Zoom-Style By Leona Krasner

Networking. It’s ingrained from very early on that to cially in today’s age of “not enough time” and “get to the succeed, to advance, and to “do it right,” one must net- point,” taking time to actually get to know the person work. Indeed, networking was challenging enough, with with whom you’re speaking will be a breath of fresh air. finding a place to go, much less getting there and back, Ask them what they would have loved to be doing if without the endeavor taking the majority of a day. Now, there wasn’t a pandemic in the way. What’s their favor- however, in the midst of a pandemic, balancing work and ite thing to do on the weekends? Do they like to travel? home life may make effective networking seem ever more Cook? Watch sports? Do they have a partner? Kids? out of reach. Try these networking tips to help yield a Here’s the perfect opportunity to find common interests more interesting conversation. and actually stand out as a person, instead of a specific category of professional. 1. Do not multitask Don’t do it! The other person can see it. If they can’t 3. Look to give see it, they can sense it. We all know when we are not being It’s so tempting to talk just to talk. I challenge you to given someone’s undivided attention, and after the fifth look to give. Not a client or even a referral, necessarily. “uh huh,” we likely are not wanting to refer any business But try to listen between the lines of what they are saying. that person’s way. Accordingly, don’t look at your phone Is dinner every night a challenge? Maybe offer them a free screen. Don’t check your email. Give this person your un- box from your meal delivery boxed service. Do they love divided attention. And if an hour feels too long, schedule to read? Drop the title and author of one of your favorite these meetings in 30-minute increments. The more others books. Giving has an added benefit: once someone feels feel as though you are zeroing in on him or her alone, the as though you gave, they will feel as though they need to quicker the trust between you two will develop, and the give back, often in the form of either a referral partner or sooner the both of you will feel comfortable passing close a referral. friends and family to one another as referrals. In these next hopefully quieter days, think about with whom you would like to reconnect, or perhaps someone 2. Do not just talk shop with whom you would like to strike up a conversation, Here is the perfect opportunity to really connect with and reach out. Here’s to a fantastic dialogue! the person on the other side of the screen. Plus, espe-

18 NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 Monumental Women Unveil Historic Women’s Rights Pioneers Monument in Central Park By Terri A. Mazur

In a year of many firsts for women, Monumental Women unveiled the Wom- en’s Rights Pioneers Monu- ment honoring Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton on August 26, 2020—the cen- tennial anniversary of the ratification and certification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution guaranteeing women the right to vote—on Literary Walk in New York City’s Central Park. This in- credible monument smashed through the bronze ceiling of Central Park statues. It is the first statue of real women in Central Park’s 167-year his- tory and is the result of seven years of work, lobbying, and fundraising by the members of Monumental Women’s all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization, which was founded in 2014 with the goal of creating this very statue. and people of color. It is raising funds to create a NYC The 42 million people who visit Central Park each year have Women’s Rights History Trail through all five boroughs seen statues of Alice in Wonderland, Mother Goose, and of New York City and fundraising in order to buy books Juliet (with Romeo, of course), as well as statues of nymphs to donate on women’s history to every public school and angels. Now Central Park visitors can see some real library in New York City. In addition, the organization is monumental women. developing a “Toolkit” for communities wishing to honor the diverse women who came before us and made this The Women’s Rights Pioneers Monument has already nation great. It also continues to challenge municipalities become an important, must-see location that has sparked throughout the country to re-imagine their public spaces discussion of women’s history, women’s rights, and more. and include monuments to real women. People send Monumental Women selfies with their friends and families at the monument, reporting that they explain The Women’s Rights Pioneers Monument makes an en- to their children what the monument means. Thousands during statement to all future visitors in Central Park. Pam of people have accessed the organization’s app, “Talking Elam, president of the Monumental Women board of direc- Statues,” to hear the words of Truth, Anthony, and Stanton tors, said the organization is proud of its accomplishment: while they view the images of those women. In the wake “A message written in stone and shaped in bronze that of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s passing, people have left equality applies to everyone and history includes all of us.” banners, photos, and flowers in honor of Justice Ginsburg at the statue. In advance of the 2020 election, people also Terri A. Mazur is the Chair of the Women in Law left pleas urging women to vote. Section. Her practice has focused on complex financial services, securities and antitrust litigation. She was a The Monumental Women organization is not content partner in Mayer Brown’s commercial litigation practice to rest on this achievement. In 2021, it plans “to move his- for most of her career and founded and chaired the firm’s tory forward” and create a full and fair historical record Women’s Initiatives Committee. She was also a partner that includes the vast and varied contributions of women at Arnold Porter Kaye Scholer and Greenberg Traurig.

NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 19 Remembering Hollis Salzman By Terri A. Mazur

Antitrust practitioners and organizations from torneys, never too around the country, along with members of NYSBA’s busy to talk with a Women in Law Section, mourned the loss of Hollis Salz- colleague. She also man, New York managing partner of Robins Kaplan, helped those most who died following an automobile accident on October 3, in need: she had an 2020, at age 55. She was devoted to her family and leaves extensive pro bono behind two children, her son Finn (who is in college) and practice where she her daughter Willa (who is in high school). Hollis lost her represented indigent husband, David Barry, in 2019. women and victims of domestic vio- Hollis “was exemplary in every way. She was lence. A champion dedicated to her family and community and was a truly of gender equality incredible advocate for her clients,” said Ronald J. Schutz, and diversity in the chair of Robins Kaplan’s Executive Board. “She was our profession, Hollis treasured partner, colleague and friend. We miss her ter- once said: “Women ribly, but her irrepressible spirit will inspire us for many 1 can succeed and years to come.” lead blockbuster One of the nation’s leading antitrust attorneys, Hollis investigations, even spent more than 25 years litigating some of the country’s in a male-dominated largest antitrust class actions, recovering more than $2 bil- field, without los- lion in settlements for victims of antitrust cartel and un- ing their identity fair competition practices. She served as co-lead plaintiffs’ or acting in a way counsel on some of the largest antitrust cases, including that is not true to the massive Air Cargo Shipping Services and Automotive Hollis Salzman themselves.” Parts class actions. She also served at the highest levels Hollis received her J.D. from Nova Southeastern Uni- of the profession: she was Chair of NYSBA’s Antitrust versity School of Law and her undergraduate degree from Section, co-chair of the New York Women’s Antitrust Boston University. She is deeply missed by her colleagues, Bar Association, on the Advisory Board of the American friends and family. Antitrust Institute, and co-chair of the American Bar As- sociation’s Section of Antitrust Law’s Competition/Con- sumer Protection Policy and U.S. Task Force Committee, Endnote among other activities. Hollis also was co-chair of Robins 1. https://www.robinskaplan.com/resources/news/2020/10/ Kaplan’s Antitrust and Trade Regulation Practice and a robins-kaplan-mourns-death-of-new-york-managing-partner- member of the firm’s Executive Board. hollis-salzman Hollis was a dedicated mentor to women, men, and young lawyers and a role model to other women at-

20 NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 WILS’ Exhibit commemorating the 100th anniversary of Attendees and presenters for WILS’ suffrage presentation at women’s suffrage and the achievement of women’s rights. the New York State Supreme Court.

Terri Mazur, Presiding Judge Alan Susan Harper, Terri Mazur and Scheinkman, Margaret Sowah and Margaret Sowah at the New York Susan Harper following WILS’ suffrage City Bar Association for their suffrage presentation to the Second Judicial presentation to the Association’s Legal Department in Brooklyn on October History Committee. 16, 2019. Margaret Sowah, Terri Mazur, Susan Harper, Carol Villegas and Sheryl Galler in front of the WILS Suffrage Exhibit at the Supreme Court at 60 Centre Street.

SECTIONS Women in Law Suffrage: Commemoration of the Centennial of New York State’s Ratification Tuesday, June 16, 2020 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Webinar No MCLE Credit

WILS’ suffrage presentation at the old Staten Island Courthouse in honor of the Court’s 100th anniversary in Suffrage: Commemoration of the Centennial of New York November 2019. State’s Ratification of the 19th Amendment.

NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 21 WILS Chair Terri Mazur, past Chair Susan WILS Chair Terri Mazur and Chair-Elect WILS Executive Committee member Harper, WILS Secretary Linda Redlisky, Sheryl Galler at the January 30, 2020 Nancy Sciocchetti and Secretary Linda Chair-Elect Sheryl Galler, and past NYSBA gala dinner at the American Redlisky at the January 30, 2020 NYSBA NYSBA President Claire Gutekunst at the Museum of Natural History in New York gala dinner at the American Museum of January 30, 2020 NYSBA gala dinner at City. Natural History in New York City. the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

Attendees at the February 26, 2020 event “How to Land It,” presented by Lisa Skeete Tatum, Founder & CEO of Landit.

WILS Chair-Elect Sheryl Galler at the Lisa Skeete Tatum, Founder and CEO of January 30, 2020 NYSBA gala dinner Landit, at the February 26, 2020 event at the American Museum of Natural “How to Land It.” History in New York City. Laverne Berry, Law Firm of Laverne Berry and a producer of Capturing the Flag, a film about voting in Cumberland County, North Carolina for the 2016 Presidential election, and a panelist on “Voting Rights and Voter Suppression: WILS Chair Terri Mazur, Lisa Skeete 100 Years After the 19th Amendment,” Tatum, Founder and CEO of Landit, and September 10, 2020. WILS EC member Frettra de Silva, at the February 26, 2020 event “How to Land It.”

22 NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol 2 No. 1 Attendees at the networking reception following the February 26, 2020 event “How to Land It.”

Paul Usoro (Senior Advocate of Nigeria), Dr. Foluke Dada, second vice president NYSBA President Scott M. Karson at former President of the Nigerian of the Nigerian Bar Association, at the the August 13, 2020 MOU Signing Bar Association, at the August 13, August 13, 2020 NYSBA and NBA MOU Ceremony, NYSBA and the Nigerian Bar 2020 NYSBA and NBA Memorandum Signing Ceremony. Association Women’s Forum. of Understanding (MOU) Signing Ceremony.

Professor Oluyemisi Bamgbose, Olumide Akpata, incoming president professor of law and Senior Advocate of of the Nigerian Bar Association, at the Nigeria, at the August 13, 2020 NYSBA August 13, 2020 NYSBA and NBA MOU and NBA MOU Signing Ceremony. Signing Ceremony.

NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 23 Susan Goodier, Professor at SUNY Oneonta and co-author, Women Will Vote: The New York State Suffrage Movement, panelist on “Voting Rights and Voter Suppression: 100 Years After the 19th Amendment,” September 10, 2020. On June 12, 2020, WILS held its program “Civil Rights and Systemic Racism.” Shown are Terri Mazur (WILS Chair, co-moderator), Frettra DeSilva (co-moderator and Chair, WILS General Counsel Committee), Professor Gloria Browne-Marshall (John Jay College of Criminal Justice), past NYSBA President Seymour James, Betty Lugo (Chair, Trial Lawyers Section), and Carrie Cohen (partner, Morrison & Foerster).

Eliza Sweren-Becker, counsel, Brennan Center for Justice at New York University, panelist on “Voting Rights and Voter Suppression: 100 Years After the 19th Amendment,” September 10, 2020.

“Owning Your Confidence and Leading With Brilliance” was part of WILS’ networking series and featured speaker, author, coach and consultant Ivy Slater. Laura Sulem (Co-Chair, WILS Program Committee and Member at Large) moderated the interactive program. (December 1, 2020).

Wendi Lazar, partner at Outten & Golden LLP, co-moderator of “Voting Rights and Voter Suppression: 100 Years After the 19th Amendment,” September 10, 2020.

Congresswoman Kathleen Rice during the September 9, 2020 program, “Campaigning While Female: Congresswoman Kathleen Rice Speaks on Patrick Bradford (founding partner, Bradford Edwards & Varlack LLP) presented Gender and Diversity Issues Facing Vice “Competition in the Global Economy: Evolving Antitrust Challenges,” as part of Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris.” the General Counsel Committee’s GCs Toolkit Webinar Series.

24 NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol 2 No. 1 The Honorable Tanya R. Kennedy Wins NYSBA’s 2021 John E. Higgins Diversity Trailblazer Award By Robyn N. Frank

I was delighted to hear that the Honor- Justice Kennedy is a product of the able Tanya R. Kennedy was selected as the New York City public school system and recipient of NYSBA’s 2021 John E. Higgins a single-parent household whose mother Diversity Trailblazer Award. Justice Kenne- worked two jobs during her childhood dy was chosen by distinguished nominees and made sacrifices to ensure that she from both NYSBA’s Committee on Diver- knew life existed beyond the Bronx. Her sity and Inclusion and the Committee’s mother instilled the value of education and Trailblazer Award Nomination Review the importance of serving others. Justice Subcommittee. This award was presented Kennedy credits these life lessons as the on January 19, 2021 during NYSBA’s An- reason for her professional advancement nual Meeting. and her sense of responsibility to inspire, motivate and assist others in the pursuit of I have had the good fortune to meet their dreams. As a result, she has dedicated and collaborate with Justice Kennedy herself to the cause of DEI and increasing through my work as vice president of di- the pipeline of underrepresented communi- versity and general counsel of CenterForce Honorable Tanya R. Kennedy ties in the legal profession. To that end, she USA. CenterForce hosts conferences and served as president of the National Associa- roundtable discussions throughout the U.S. that advo- tion of Women Judges (NAWJ), organizing a legislative cate for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the legal caucus on Capitol Hill focusing on ensuring a healthy industry. In June 2020, Justice Kennedy sat down with work environment free of sexual harassment. Her lead- me to discuss how we can all become agents for social ership in this endeavor culminated in the NAWJ trade- change. Since then, we have become not just allies in the marking “#WETOO IN THE LEGAL WORKPLACE.” She struggle for DEI, but friends as well. This has afforded me also established the ADA Compliance Policy, Law School the privilege of understanding why Justice Kennedy is so Outreach, LGBTQ and Technology Committees to further deserving of this award. While her achievements are too their mission to ensure equal access to justice for all. vast to be confined to this short article, I will name just a few. In addition, Justice Kennedy promotes the advance- ment and empowerment of women and minorities Justice Kennedy was recently appointed as an Associ- through her membership in the founding chapter of the ate Justice of the Appellate Division, First Department, New York Coalition of 100 Black Women, Alpha Kappa by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, after serving in the Alpha Sorority, Inc., Tau Omega Chapter, and she is a life judiciary since 2005. She is also a former adjunct professor member and board member of the NAACP Mid-Manhat- at Fordham University School of Law, teaching a juvenile tan Branch. justice seminar for 10 years. No bio of Justice Kennedy’s life and achievements Beyond her work on the bench, Justice Kennedy is would be complete without mentioning her deep love tireless in her commitment to public service. She is a and commitment to her alma mater, Brooklyn Technical member of the board of directors of the New York City High School, where she remains active in many endeav- Bar Association and past chair of that organization’s Spe- ors, including the Law and Society Major Internship cial Committee to Encourage Judicial Service; a member Program. of the Board of Overseers of the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, where she received her law degree; and an When I interviewed Justice Kennedy in June 2020, Advisory Board Member of Penn State Law. She is also before a diverse group of 200+ lawyers, she called on an executive committee member of the Women in Law us to acknowledge our privilege as officers of the court Section of NYSBA and serves as one of WILS’ Members – regardless of race, gender, or circumstance. She stated at Large. Terri Mazur, the current chair of the Women in (please note that I am paraphrasing): Law Section, upon hearing the news stated, “On behalf of the Women in Law Section of NYSBA, I cannot think of “Power coupled with a lack of character breeds con- anyone more deserving of this recognition and the entire tempt. Don’t let your title or your position consume you. Executive Committee and Section are thrilled.” Power must be coupled with humility. If we talk to each other, we will find common ground.” Words to live by!

NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 25 On a final note, with the passing of Ruth Bader Gins- inclusion in the workplace. She is also the vice presi- burg, we need more strong women in the legal profession dent of diversity and general counsel of CenterForce to take up the mantle and continue to fight the good fight. USA, which develops and presents conferences around I look forward to seeing where TRK takes us as we head the country on issues that concern female and minority into the future. leaders in the legal profession. She received her B.A. in social sciences from the Ohio State University, her Robyn M. Frank is the CEO and Founder of Frank J.D. from the Washington College of Law at American Talk, a powerful resource for professionals and orga- University, and a master of jurisprudence in energy law nizations that want to further diversity, equity, and from the University of Tulsa.

2021 WILS Annual Meeting: Ready To Lead: Advancing Women Leaders During the Pandemic and Beyond

WILS held its 2021 Annual Meeting, the 17th Annual Abstract Corporation; Kim Wolf Price, attorney profes- Edith I. Spivack Symposium, virtually on January 19 and sional development and diversity officer, Bond Schoeneck 26. The symposium honors Edith Spivack, a trailblaz- & King PLLC; Rachel Spector, staff attorney, Earthjustice; ing lawyer whose legal career, which began in 1932, was Carol Villegas, partner, Labaton Sucharow; Deborah marked by tenacity and determination. Edith also was a Epstein Henry, DEH Consulting, Speaking, Writing; and charter member of the Committee on Women in the Law. Saritha Komatireddy, deputy chief of general crimes, U.S. Attorney’s Office, E.D.N.Y Valerie Ackerman, Commissioner of the Big East Conference, founding president of the Women’s National In “Quiet on the Set! Ethical Considerations for a Basketball Association and a lawyer, delivered a compel- Changing Legal Workplace,” the third panel explored ling keynote address, “Effectively Leading Through Crisis ethical issues arising out of remote work, including cy- and Change: Why bersecurity issues. Equity and Inclu- The panelists were sion Are Critical to Rosary Morelli, Success.” Acker- founding partner, man focused on Raskin Morelli; the gender imbal- Mark Berman, ance and lack of partner, Ganfer women leaders Shore Leeds & in collegiate and Zauderer; J. David Olympic sports, Commissioner of the Big East Conference Valerie Ackerman and Chair-Elect Sheryl Galler Canton, partner, which is stunning given that more than 250,000 female Aaronson Rappa- athletes participate in NCAA teams. port Feinstein & Deutsch; Cheryl Harris, partner, Harris Law; Polly Schiavone, vice president, claims expert, Swiss WILS had three other CLE-qualified panels on leader- Reinsurance America Corp.; and Pery Krinsky, principal, ship and ethical issues. The first panel, “Remote but not Krinsky PLLC. Distant: Boldly Leading Teams Through and After the Crisis,” featured Cyndie Chang, managing partner, Los WILS also held a business meeting, electing officers Angeles office, Duane Morris; Jennifer Ervin, general for 2021-22: Chair-Elect: Kim Wolf Price, Secretary: Linda counsel, Clark Atlanta University; Robyn Frank, CEO Redlisky, Treasurer: Margaret Sowah, and Members and founder, Frank Talk; Dan Lukasik, New York State at Large: Jennifer Boll, Judge Tanya R. Kennedy, Lisa judicial wellness coordinator, Office of Court Administra- Schoenfeld and Laura Sulem. Sheryl Galler, current Chair- tion; Laura Sulem, senior director, litigation, for Practical Elect, becomes Section Chair June 1. WILS presented two Law; and Camille Varlack, founding partner and COO, prestigious awards: Justice Lisa Sokoloff received the Kay Bradford Edwards & Varlack. The panelists examined the Crawford Murray Memorial Award, recognizing her deep best approaches for leading legal teams remotely and in commitment to mentoring women attorneys. The Ruth G. person through the pandemic, civil unrest, and political Schapiro Memorial Award went to Betty Lugo (founding uncertainty. partner, Pacheco & Lugo, and Chair, Trial Lawyers Sec- tion), recognizing her tireless dedication to the advance- The second panel, “Recruiting, Retaining and Ad- ment of women and diverse women in the legal profes- vancing Women Attorneys in Challenging Times,” was sion. The meeting concluded with a virtual networking comprised of Margaret Ling, senior counsel, Big Apple reception.

26 NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 Reflections on Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life Committed to Justice By Linda Redlisky

Ruth Bader Ginsburg was once described as a woman “Fight for the who knocked on closed doors, opened them and held things that you them open for others.1 She transcended the Supreme care about, but do Court to become a pop-culture icon whose quotes and it in a way that photo appeared on mugs, mouse pads and memes. While will lead others to her passing in 2020 was a time to mourn the loss of a join you,” stated tremendous scholar, trailblazer and human being, it also Justice Ginsburg sparked activism and participation in issues regarding in response to a gender equity and racial discrimination, among other question regard- things. Long before her ascent to the Supreme Court ing the advice she in 1993, Justice Ginsburg was a champion for issues of would give young equality. A few notable and significant achievements women today. As include: we look ahead, we are encouraged by • Fought for her female colleagues to earn the same her words to move retirement benefits as her male counterparts at forward construc- Columbia Law School; tively and with • Litigated sex-discrimination cases attacking institu- conviction. May tionalized discrimination as an ACLU attorney, and her memory be a Ruth Bader Ginsburg co-founded its Women’s Rights Project in 1974; blessing. • Authored the landmark decision in Olmstead v. L.C., 527 U.S. 581 (1999), which held that individuals Endnote with mental disabilities have the right to commu- 1. Alanna Vigianos, Ruth Bader Ginsburg Tells Young Women: ‘Fight for nity-based housing under the Americans with Dis- the Things You Care About,’ The Huffington Post (June 2, 2015). abilities Act; and • Writing for the majority in Lawrence v. Texas, 539 U.S. 558 (2003), struck down as unconstitutional the state law criminalizing certain intimate sexual conduct between two consenting adults of the same sex. The New York State Bar Association has created the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Memorial Scholarship Award of $5,000 to be given to a law student in New York who demonstrates character consistent with and honoring the legacy of Justice Ginsburg. They also must have dem- onstrated an interest in advancing women’s rights and gender equality. The Women in Law Section, in coordina- tion with the Committee on Civil Rights and the Commit- tee on Annual Awards, will review the submissions and select the honoree.

NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 27 Amy Coney Barrett: 103d Associate Justice to the United States Supreme Court By Terri A. Mazur

Amy Coney Barrett, a former judge on the United her expertise on the States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, was subjects of federal sworn in by Justice Clarence Thomas as the 103d associ- courts, constitutional ate justice to the United States Supreme Court on October law and statutory 27, 2020, replacing recently deceased Justice Ruth Bader interpretation. In Ginsburg. She is the fifth woman to serve on the high May 2017, Barrett court, and will join two other women, Justices Sonia So- was nominated by tomayor and Elena Kagan, on the bench. As noted by her President Trump for iconic predecessor, appointment of yet another woman the Seventh Circuit represents “the end of the days when women, at least half and was confirmed the talent pool in our society, appear in high places only in October 2017 by as one-at-a-time performers.” a 52-43 vote in the Justice Barrett was born in 1972 and raised in Loui- Senate. siana, and graduated magna cum laude from Tennessee’s On September Rhodes College with a B.A. in English literature in 1994. 26, 2020, President She graduated summa cum laude from Notre Dame Law Trump nominated School in 1997, earning the Hoynes Prize as the top Barrett to the United student in her class and serving as executive editor of the States Supreme Notre Dame Law Review. Court. The Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimous- After graduating law school, Barrett clerked for Judge ly in favor of her nomination, and she was confirmed by Laurence Silberman of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the the Senate on October 26 by a 52-48 vote. District of Columbia Circuit and then clerked for Justice Justice Barrett has seven children ages 8 to 19, two Antonin Scalia on the United States Supreme Court. In of whom were adopted from Haiti and the youngest of 1999, Barrett joined the Washington, D.C. law firm of Mill- whom has Down syndrome and special needs. She is er, Cassidy, Larroca & Lewin, but left in 2001 to become the married to Jesse Barrett, a fellow Notre Dame Law gradu- John M. Olin Fellow of Law at George Washington Univer- ate and former federal prosecutor. He is a partner at the sity Law School. She joined the faculty of Notre Dame Law SouthBank Legal law firm in South Bend, Indiana, con- School as an assistant professor a year later in 2002 and centrating his practice in commercial litigation, internal ultimately became a full-tenured faculty member, noted for investigations and defense of white-collar crime.

In December, WILS held a virtual holiday happy hour.

28 NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 2020 WILS Annual Meeting: Staring Down Implicit Bias in the Legal Workplace By Laura Sulem

On January 28, 2020, WILS hosted the 16th Annual In panel three, “I’m Not Biased: The Ethical Rami- Edith I. Spivack Symposium at the New York Hilton Mid- fications of Implicit Bias,” an ethics expert and panel of town, which also serves as WILS’ Annual Meeting. The experienced attorneys discussed the ethical rules that are symposium’s theme was “Staring Down Implicit Bias in implicated by implicit bias in a number of live enactments the Legal Workplace.” of situations in the legal workplace and during deposi- tions. Using interactive scenarios, the panelists identified Michele Coleman Mayes, vice president, general which conduct is ethically acceptable and which crosses counsel and secretary of the New York Public Library, the line. Speakers on the third panel included Laurie A. delivered the keynote address, “Amplifying Our Voices: Kamaiko, Esq., Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr, LLP; Rachel Speaking Out and Stepping Up.” She shared her personal H. Kim, Esq., Sompo International Holding Ltd.; Pery D. experiences, her insights into the pervasive nature and Krinsky, Esq., Krinsky PLLC; Kathleen Lyons, Esq., AXIS negative effects of implicit bias in the legal workplace, Reinsurance; Rosary Morelli, Esq., Raskin Morelli LLP; and emphasized why it is important not to suffer in and Loren L. Pani, Esq. and Elliot J. Zucker, Esq., both silence. She also provided takeaways on how to interrupt from Aaronson Rappaport Feinstein & Deutsch, LLP. bias in our workplaces and bring about systemic change. WILS also held a Section business meeting and After the keynote address, WILS put on three CLE- elected officers for 2020-21, including Chair-Elect Sheryl qualified panels relating to the negative effects of implicit B. Galler, Secretary Linda Redlisky, Treasurer Margaret bias. The first panel, “Taking Charge: Strategies to Com- Sowah, and Members at Large Jennifer Boll, Judge Tanya bat Implicit Bias,” featured trailblazing women attorneys R. Kennedy, Lisa Schoenfeld and Laura Sulem. At the end from the Fire Department of New York City, private of the symposium, WILS hosted a fun and engaging net- practice, and the judiciary, together with a professor of working reception, sponsored by Labaton Sucharow LLP. sociology who directed a groundbreaking study on reduc- ing bias in the legal profession. These panelists explored In addition to its programming events, WILS also how implicit bias impacts the advancement of women in presented two prestigious awards to deserving recipients. law, suggested strategies to empower women attorneys During its luncheon on January 28, WILS presented the to combat and interrupt implicit bias and to improve fair- Kay Crawford Murray Memorial Award to Tiffany H. ness and inclusion in the legal profession, and discussed Lee, Chief, Appellate Division, United States Attorney’s ways all attorneys can engage colleagues and clients to Office for the Western District of New York, recognizing mitigate implicit and explicit bias and counteract its ef- her commitment to diversity. On January 31, 2020, at the fects. Speakers on the first panel included Ynesse Abdul- House of Delegates meeting, NYSBA President Hank Malak, RN, MPH, Ph.D., Colgate University; Captain Greenberg presented WILS’ Ruth G. Schapiro Memorial Brenda Berkman, Esq., retired FDNY firefighter; Hon. Award to the Honorable Roslyn Richter, former associ- Karla Moskowitz (Ret.), hearing officer, NAM; Leona A. ate justice in the Appellate Division of the New York Krasner, Esq., Krasner Law, PLLC; Laura Sulem, Esq., Supreme Court, First Department, and currently senior Practical Law at Thomson Reuters; and Caitlin Halligan, counsel at Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP. The Scha- Esq., Selendy & Gay PLLC. piro Award recognizes a female or male member of the association who has made noteworthy contributions ad- The second panel, “Legislating Diversity and Inclusion: dressing the concerns of women. Where Do We Stand?,” consisted of panelists with experi- ence in law firms, academia, corporate legal departments, The 2020 Annual Meeting was an extremely well- and the public sector, and explored the practical effects of attended and well-received event! laws on pay equity, family leave, and sexual harassment in the workplace, both positive and negative. The panelists Laura Sulem is the senior director of litigation at suggested steps we can take as part of the ongoing process Practical Law, a Thomson Reuters company, where she of improving workplace culture and diversity. Speakers on oversees content and business strategy for the litiga- the second panel included Alnisa Bell, Esq., Seyfarth Shaw, tion service. Laura sits on the Executive Committee of LLP; Karen DeMeola, Esq., University of Connecticut School NYSBA’s Women in Law Section and co-chairs the An- of Law; Sheryl B. Galler, Esq., Law Office of Sheryl B. Galler; nual Meeting, Programming and CLE Committee. John W. Hamlin, Esq., Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.; and Renata Neeser, Esq., Littler Mendelson P.C.

NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 29 Law Day 2020: Achieving Equality for Women in the Courtroom and in ADR By Terri A. Mazur

Four prominent women judges joined the Women in in 2017: NAM, CRR and JAMS had between 15% and 25% Law Section’s Law Day program on May 1, 2020 for an women arbitrators and mediators, but only 7% to 15% insightful discussion on how to increase the number of persons of color. Women were under-represented in ADR women serving as lead counsel in court and as mediators proceedings involving corporate, securities and com- and arbitrators in ADR proceedings. The virtual program, plex commercial claims. She noted that the Task Force’s attended by approximately 100 people, was entitled upcoming 2020 Report will update this data based on “Promoting Female Mediators, Arbitrators, and Lead Trial new surveys of New York state and federal court judges Lawyers: Insight and Advice from Women on the Bench.” and ADR organizations, and examine whether the 2017 Report recommendations have led to improvement in the Prior to the event, Chief Judge Janet DiFiore wrote a intervening three years. letter to the Section where she noted that 42% of the New York State judiciary are women, a record number, but All four judges agreed that women do not receive recognized that “there is no question that women have equal opportunities in certain kinds of legal work, and found it more difficult to reach the upper echelons of our that class actions, mass tort actions and securities cases legal profession.” She also commended the event’s speak- still are “predominantly male.” Judge Freedman said ers as “pioneering lawyers and judges.” Speakers in- there “still is a preference for men” to serve as special cluded U.S. District Court Judge Shira Scheindlin (SDNY) masters, but that the number of women is “inching up (retired and now with AAA), and New York State court slowly” in personal injury, discrimination, employment Judges Helen Freedman (retired associate justice, Appel- and small commercial cases. Justice Kennedy stated that late Division of the Supreme Court, First Judicial Depart- women of color still do not have equal opportunity in ment, now with JAMS), Judge Karla Moskowitz (retired obtaining legal work because of “implicit gender bias and Associate Justice, Appellate Division of the Supreme racial bias.” On how to address clients’ desire to have Court, First Judicial Department, now with NAM) and “tried and true” lawyers serve as lead counsel, Justice Judge Tanya R. Kennedy (who was a Justice of the Su- Kennedy said it is “all about exposure and opportunity,” preme Court, New York County, at the time of the event, and that the more opportunities women have to speak, and has since been appointed as an associate justice of the whether in court, before clients or at events, the more Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, First Judicial likely they will ultimately be given the opportunities to Department). be lead counsel. Judge Scheindlin also pointed out that a study by DOAR on how jurors respond to female and In his welcome remarks, NYSBA President Hank male lawyers revealed that women jurors respond so well Greenberg emphasized that “we have made progress” to women attorneys that it would be “almost malpractice” in increasing the number of women lead counsel in the not to have a woman lawyer speak to a jury with women courtrooms and as mediators, arbitrators and neutrals in jurors. ADR, “but not quickly enough” and we should be “impa- tient” and work on “enhancing and growing opportuni- Judge Scheindlin believes clients’ desires to promote ties” for women. diversity, along with mentoring and sponsorship of wom- en and people of color, is making a difference. Women Judge Shira Scheindlin led off by providing an over- “have to reach back and provide mentoring” to other view of the findings of the groundbreaking 2017 Commer- women, Justice Kennedy said. “I’m a product of that.” cial and Federal Litigation Section Task Force on Women’s All agreed that judges’ amendments to their local practice Initiatives Report, “IF NOT NOW, WHEN? Achieving rules to encourage law firms to allow junior lawyers to Equality for Women in the Courtroom and in ADR” handle oral arguments and other court appearances will (“2017 Report”), as a starting point for their discussion. positively impact the number of women in court. Judge Based on a first-of-its-kind observational survey of New Moskowitz also observed that as women are increasingly York State and federal court sitting judges, Judge Scheind- on client teams and representing the parties, the result is lin stated that the survey revealed “continued disparity the selection of more women as mediators and arbitrators. and gender imbalance in the courtroom.” The New York State Court of Appeals reported that women appeared as With respect to mediation, the judges said that the lead or second chair in 39% of the cases with private par- “governing principle” that “neutrals should reflect the ties, but 51.5% of public sector party cases were argued by diverse communities of the attorneys and parties whom women. Only 25% of commercial and criminal cases had they serve” is not followed. Clients are not insisting on di- women as lead counsel in New York state courtrooms. versity in selection of mediators or arbitrators. The judges Judge Scheindlin explained that ADR was not as diverse acknowledged the well-documented lack of diversity

30 NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 WILS’ Law Day program, May 1, 2020, “Promoting Female Mediators, Arbitrators, and Lead Trial Lawyers: Insight & Advice From Women on the Bench.” Shown: Terri Mazur (WILS Chair, co-moderator), NYSBA President Hank Greenberg, and panelists Hon. Shira Scheindlin (ret.), Hon. Karla Moskowitz (ret.), Hon. Helen Freedman (ret.) and Hon. Tanya R. Kennedy.

Mark Berman, Co-chair, WILS Champions Committee, co-moderator of WILS Law Day program. among ADR neutrals, especially in high-value cases, and Judge Moskowitz observed that there are fewer wom- that women do not receive equal treatment in complex en mediators in complex commercial cases, more in em- mediations such as securities claims. Judge Scheindlin ployment cases and that former women judges land more explained that there is a model clause for arbitration commercial cases as mediators and arbitrators. When agreements under which the parties commit in advance to asked how best to promote women as mediators, she having at least one diverse person on three-person panels, said “the pipeline is there” as there are many women and but arbitration groups are not using it. Male lawyers tend diverse attorneys trying to break into ADR—now parties to select male arbitrators with whom they have worked need to use it. All agreed that there are many opportuni- before, Judge Freedman said, stating it will take a long ties to break into arbitration and mediation, especially time to change these practices. To the extent the increased through participation on volunteer panels offered by state technology needs during the pandemic pose problems, and federal courts. The New York County Commercial Judge Freedman urged attorneys “to get help with [the] Division now has mediators, and Chief Judge DiFiore is technology,” including setting up trial runs before a me- pushing the use of mediation in state courts. diation proceeding. Finally, the judges agreed that a woman’s style can be Addressing the lack of diversity in arbitration, Judge different from that of a man and still be effective. Justice Scheindlin said the survey showed that the party-ap- Kennedy said that women have valuable traits, empathy pointed panel members are more diverse, but even that and intuition, which are often devalued, but she sees does not necessarily increase the number of diverse at- them as strengths that can be turned to our advantage. torneys selected as the third arbitrator who serves as chair As Judge Scheindlin concluded, “Whatever your style is, of the panel. make it work.”

NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 31 WILS Toolkit Series: Sick and Safe Leave in New York

In April 2020, New York State enacted a statewide Sheryl Galler is an employment lawyer in New paid sick leave program. This relatively new law, which York City and a member of the Executive Committee of went fully into effect as of January 1, 2021, provides em- NYSBA’s Labor and Employment Law Section. She is also ployees statewide with sick leave for reasons not limited Chair-Elect of WILS and Co-Chair of the Section’s Annual to the COVID-19 pandemic. The amount of leave, and Meeting, Program and CLE Committee. whether it is paid or unpaid, depends on the size and net The webinar was part of the WILS Toolkit Series, de- income of the employer. veloped by the Section’s General Counsel Committee and The Women in Law Section presented a webinar on its Chair, Frettra de Silva. The committee has presented May 15, 2020, entitled “Sick and Safe Leave in NYS: Mov- Toolkits on diverse topics including the fintech regulatory ing Beyond COVID-19.” We heard from Sheryl Galler, ecosystem, litigation strategy for in-house lawyers, and who summarized the rights and obligations of employers evolving antitrust challenges. The Toolkit programs are and employees under the New York State paid sick leave useful for attorneys in all types of practice and all fields program. She also discussed the differences between the and have the added benefit of providing CLE credit. The new law and the state emergency leave law that had been General Counsels Committee has additional programs enacted in March in response to the pandemic. Sheryl planned for the Spring of 2021. Please check the NYSBA further noted some open questions that would need to calendar for our next webinar and log on! be addressed by regulations. The New York State Depart- ment of Labor first issued proposed regulations for the paid sick leave law in December 2020.

Randi Rosenblatt (Founder and CEO, Upward Stride) and Amy Goldstein (Founder, Grayson Allen) discussed how to WILS co-sponsored the program “Domestic Violence Trends pivot to improve your practice in“Pivoting: Your Networking, in the Context of Bail Reform and the COVID-19 Pandemic” Your Legal Practice and Your Career” on September 27, 2020. on October 28, 2020, which was presented by the Third Judicial District’s Gender Fairness Committee. The panelists were (top left): Ellen Schell, Hon. Rachel Kretser (ret.), John Caher, Jaya Connors, Heather Dukes, Hon. Richard Rivera and Hon. Andra Ackerman.

Kathleen Massey (Managing Partner of Dechert LLP) discussed litigation strategy and optimizing litigation outcomes for in-house counsel, as part of the General Counsel Committee’s continuing GCs’ Toolkit Webinar Series.

32 NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 Addressing Systemic Racism in the Aftermath of George Floyd’s Murder By Christian Nolan

In the aftermath of the tragic killing of George Floyd The professor opined that litigation, legislation and while in the custody of the Minneapolis police, NYSBA’s protests are the three things that can bring about social Women in Law Section held a timely panel discussion on change. She noted the estimated demographic change by systemic racism and police reform. 2050 where it is estimated that people of color will be the majority. The distinguished panelists agreed that recent and ongoing criminal justice reforms are necessary but that “If we can’t get it together in 2020 what are we going the momentum must continue beyond legislative change to do in 2050?” said Browne-Marshall. to combat centuries of institutional racism. Cohen feels this will be a turning point for prosecu- “There’s been a recognition that there are symbols tors’ offices and that they will work even harder to build of slavery and racism that help perpetuate the belief in the best cases they can to bring corrupt police officers to white superiority and many of those are being removed justice. However, Cohen said we cannot just pass laws after years of discussion,” said former NYSBA President over the next three weeks, feel good about ourselves and Seymour W. James, referring to statues of Confederate become complacent. leaders and noting that NASCAR will no longer permit “I’ve always felt that lawyers are the ones that can Confederate flags to fly at their races. bring about really great societal change,” said Cohen. “We have the ability to do it, the courts are a great place to do “But I think most importantly, white people through- it and we should be pushing forward.” out the country are acknowledging the severe inequities that exist and are calling for reform,” continued James, a Lugo, a founding partner in the first Latina-owned partner at Barket Epstein Kearon Aldea & LoTurco and a law firm in New York City, agrees. criminal defense lawyer for over four decades. “So I don’t “We have to keep on pushing for change. . . . We think it’s going to be a miraculous overnight change but have to continue the conversation and encourage young I’m hopeful that fair-minded people will continue the people and mentor young people of color to get involved discussion and work to change the culture.” in the process, to become lawyers, and to fight for jus- The virtual discussion looked at the history of sys- tice,” said Lugo. “That’s why I became a lawyer.” temic racism, institutional racism and the path forward, When it comes to law enforcement, Lugo believes including proactive steps lawyers can take to effect there needs to be diversity training, sensitivity training, as change and eliminate racism beyond just legislation. well as “cultural awareness training” so police can learn Terri A. Mazur, Chair of the Women in Law Sec- about different religions and ethnic backgrounds. tion, moderated the event, along with Frettra de Silva. “I think history shows that police officers don’t like to The other panelists were Carrie H. Cohen, a Morrison & be trained about this,” said Lugo. “We have to insist. It’s Foerster partner and former assistant U.S. Attorney for sort of like lawyers with continuing legal education, it has the Southern District of New York; Betty Lugo, of Pacheco to be a requirement. It can’t just be given at the academy & Lugo and Chair of NYSBA’s Trial Lawyers Section; and and that’s it.” Gloria Browne-Marshall, a professor of constitutional law, race and the law, gender and justice, and evidence at John James said racist remarks are too commonly accepted Jay College of Criminal Justice. in police departments and officers ignore regulations. Browne-Marshall, when presenting the history of “If you don’t discipline people engaged in brutal- systemic racism, explained that the civil rights movement ity, then that brutality is going to continue,” said James. has gained progress in many ways except criminal justice. “The individual officers have to be held accountable, but I think in addition we need to hold their supervisors “Unfortunately, the criminal justice laws are still based accountable. They are responsible for what their officers in what we had during slavery, what we had as far as seg- do. . . . I think if they’re held accountable, then they’re regation laws, and even our police forces were an amalgam more likely to monitor them and insist that procedures of the militia that were created to put down native Ameri- are followed.” can uprisings, the slave catchers from the time period of slavery and the bobbies from England,” said Browne- Christian Nolan is senior writer at NYSBA. This Marshall. “And this is why we’re wrestling with this issue article previously appeared online on June 16, 2020 at today because we’ve never reformed the criminal justice www.nysba.org/addressing-systemic-racism-in-the- system in the same ways we’ve reformed other systems.” aftermath-of-george-floyds-murder.

NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 33 Juneteenth: An American Holiday By Brandon Vogel

Throughout her career in the news, the story Cheryl Wills didn’t know she was born to tell was that of her grandparents who had a hand in ending slavery. Emmy award-winner Cheryl Wills, anchor for New York 1 News, is the great-great-great-granddaughter of Sandy Wills, an enslaved Civil War soldier. She has spent the last 10 years researching her family history and Judge Kennedy said, “I can tell countless stories of “bringing honor” to her ancestors. having a knee on my neck professionally and personally. “This is my full-time job,” said Wills, who is deter- It really brought to life what we have gone through as mined to right this historic wrong. “This is why June- blacks.” A dear friend recently asked her how she could teenth lives in me. They matter. Their stories are as impor- best support her. “The way that you support me is to tant as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.” speak up and to take action because, when you do that, you support the black community and you’re supporting She spoke at the Women in Law Section program on me,” answered Judge Kennedy. June 19, 2020, “Celebrating Juneteenth: A Conversation With Cheryl Wills,” about her family’s struggles and ultimate Juneteenth stories of hope, as well as the history of Juneteenth. The mod- Juneteenth (short for June Nineteenth) is the old- erator, the Honorable Tanya Renee Kennedy, Supreme Court est nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending Justice, New York County,1 described Wills as a “force” who is of slavery in the United States. It was on June 19th that “passionate, authentic, and willing to help and serve others.” the 2,000 Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas, with news that the Speaking Their Names war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. “This announcement really changed their lives,” said Wills learned her family’s history through the National Wills, who said that Juneteenth is “every day in my heart Archives. She has written four books about her family. Her for me.” She explained that Confederate states did not most recent book, Emma, discusses her grandmother’s suc- enforce the Emancipation Proclamation. cessful fight to secure Sandy’s pension, through the help of a lawyer. Wills discovered her grandmother’s depositions, Governor Cuomo issued an executive order on June which she signed with an X because she was illiterate. 17, 2020 recognizing Juneteenth as a holiday for state em- ployees in acknowledgment of the official emancipation “My grandmother was so much more than an X. of African Americans throughout the United States. The When I sign my name, I think of Emma,” said Wills. “I governor also advanced legislation to make Juneteenth an don’t take that X for granted.” official state holiday next year. Wills recently went to the Mooreland Plantation where “He answered the call,” said Wills, who noted that 47 Sandy and Emma met. She met the family of her ancestors’ states were acknowledging Juneteenth. “I think Governor owners. They were slightly nervous around each other, she Cuomo is responding to the will of the people.” says, but we “needed to talk.” Her ancestors are buried un- der leaves and trees without markers. She has vowed to give Wills said, “In my honest opinion, this is a holiday that her ancestors a proper burial with military honors through should be recognized by all Americans no matter what the help of an archaeological crew and DNA samples. race, creed or color. We are all in this together. When you oppress and hurt someone, you are only hurting yourself.” Sandy and Emma are the “unsung heroes that built this country,” she said. Recent events have led to us She explained that you cannot tell the story of Ameri- “speaking their names.” ca without telling the story of all of her people. “This is an American holiday.” “When we saw George Floyd’s death under the knee of a police officer, we were shocked beyond belief. It This article first appeared online on June 19, 2020 at brought back memories of so many who had been killed https://www.nysba.org/juneteenth-an-american-holiday. by people who wore sworn to protect them and serve them. And it brought back terrible memories of Emmett Till and of so many others, but with all of those deaths, Endnote we have centuries of people who have been lynched and 1. Hon. Tanya Kennedy was appointed associate justice of the killed,” said Wills. “George Floyd’s death did all of this.” Appellate Division, First Department, in July 2020. – Ed.

34 NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 The Unusual Firing of U.S. Attorney General Geoffrey Berman By Brendan Kennedy

Late in the evening on Friday, June 19, United States sion on who would be Attorney General Bill Barr announced that the U.S. At- his successor. torney for the Southern District of New York, Geoffrey “There is no formal Berman, would be stepping down, prompting an unusual legal precedent,” Butler public standoff that lasted over 24 hours and would said. “There is a practice eventually conclude with Berman officially being fired precedent but this whole Saturday. ordeal has broader On July 1, 2020, NYSBA’s Women in Law Section implications about held a virtual panel entitled, “The Unusual Firing of U.S. the president using Attorney Geoffrey Berman: The Process and Is Justice at his power to hire and Stake?,” where two former federal prosecutors, Paul But- fire to reflect his own ler and Jessica A. Roth, discussed the legal basis for firing interests.” a U.S. attorney and the impact his departure could have During his tenure, on the independence of Southern District prosecutors. the actions taken by According to Roth, a former federal prosecutor in the S.D.N.Y. prosecutors, Geoffrey Berman Southern District and professor of law at Cardozo Law according to news re- School, the Berman firing was extremely unusual. ports, have drawn the ire of President Trump. It was the S.D.N.Y. that investigated Trump’s then-personal lawyer “The timing of Berman’s firing, late on Friday night, Michael Cohen’s role in arranging hush-money payments the fact that the Attorney General incorrectly stated in the to women who were alleged to have had affairs with initial letter that Berman was resigning and that an interim Trump, ultimately securing a guilty plea from Cohen. The replacement from outside the office was named,” Roth said. office has also charged two associates of Rudy Giuliani To further complicate things, after Barr’s initial an- with campaign finance violations and it is also investigat- nouncement, Berman issued his own statement denying ing Giuliani. that he had resigned and saying he had no intention of For the time being, Berman’s first deputy, Audrey doing so. Berman went on to say that the office’s impor- Strauss, will succeed him, keeping with longstanding tant cases would continue unimpeded. tradition within the S.D.N.Y. Butler, a former federal prosecutor with the U.S. “It’s understood she will serve out the remainder of Department of Justice and professor at Georgetown Law, Berman’s term,” Roth said. “With an election coming, that agreed with Roth that the ordeal was unusual but noted is the natural point for someone new to take the role. How- that it is legal for the president to fire whomever he pleases. ever, there isn’t a lot of law developed around these issues.”

“It’s quite easy for a president to justify any firing Brendan Kennedy is a content and communica- and install someone of his choosing, temporarily,” Butler tions specialist at NYSBA. This article first appeared said. “The one flaw of our system of law is that it doesn’t online on July 1, 2020 at https://www.nysba.org/ contemplate bad actors and someone that is acting in the-unusual-firing-of-geoffrey-berman. their own interests.” Berman was appointed on an interim basis in January 2018 by then-Attorney General Jeff Ses- sions. That entitled him to serve for 120 days but in April of that year, the judges of the Southern District unanimously appointed Berman for an indetermi- nate term that would last until the vacancy was filled by a presidential nominee who was approved by the Senate. The process by which Berman was named a U.S. attorney was unique and led to some legal questions about who had the authority to fire him. Ultimately, Berman accepted his fate after an apparent conces-

NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 35 ‘I Had to Prove It; They Did Not:’ Kathleen Rice Discusses Campaigning While Female By Brandon Vogel

When Kathleen Rice ran for New York attorney general in 2010 as the sole female candidate, the New York Times asked her press secretary what kind of shoes Rice wore. She questioned if the opposing candidates were asked the same question and pointedly refused to answer the question. Similar questions were asked about how she campaigned wearing high heels all day while being femi- nine and assertive. She also was required to submit a 10-page resume while male candidates only had to submit a one-page re- sume. “It was absolutely absurd and ridiculous. I was far more accomplished than almost every single one of them, but I had to prove it; they did not,” said Rice, United States Representative for New York’s 4th Congressional District. Rice discussed the various sexist attacks she has experienced in her career on the recent CLE webinar, “Campaigning While Female: Congresswoman Kathleen Rice Speaks on Gender and Diversity Issues Facing Vice Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris.” “No one has ever asked Bill Clinton how are you going to run for president and take care of Chelsea at the same time,” said Rice. Terri Mazur, chair of the Women in Law Section, moderated the discussion. She said, “The vice-presiden- tial candidates opened up quite a public discussion and Kathleen Rice obviously even more now that Senator Harris has been and racist comments. These remain barriers for women made the Democratic nominee for vice president. I think achieving leadership positions.” there is heightened awareness about how women are perceived, treated and scrutinized as viable candidates for “This is something we women lawyers sadly confront office.” on a regular basis,” Mazur said. Rice said, “To this day, there is so much conscious She noted that the percentage of equity partners in and unconscious bias facing women in leadership roles. law firms is around the same as the percentage of women It is critical that we continue to work together and keep in Congress. “It’s still a very poor representation of making progress on women’s equality. It is our duty to women in leadership roles across professions,” she said. ensure that the barriers and obstacles I faced over the past Rice has run in nearly 10 races from Nassau County 30 years are not faced by future generations of women. District Attorney to Congress. “In every single race I That’s why I’m committed to supporting women in have run in my career, there is no question that there has public office and encouraging women to run for public been sexism. Women still face the same barriers and they office.” are predictable ones. Until women are 51% of fill-in-the- “We currently have the highest representation of blank, lawyers, doctors, teachers, CEOs, senators, presi- women in Congress in history, yet it is only 23% of Con- dents, we are still going to be dealing with these issues,” gress, in a country where women make up more than half Rice said. of the majority. We have much more work to do,” said She said that women lag behind men professionally Rice. “Sadly, women still are repeatedly met with sexist “for a whole host of historical reasons.” Chief among them are not having the financial infrastructure to run for

36 NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 office and not having the professional contacts “because When asked in 2010 if she had ever taken drugs, Rice we haven’t been in the workforce in this country for as answered honestly and quickly asked her sister to take long as men have,” she said. the paper from her father’s doorstep so he couldn’t read her answer. She said admitting mistakes and moving on One of 10 children who had to work for everything, is essential. “People appreciate that kind of honesty and Rice struggled initially to ask donors for money. “I almost will reward you for it in the end.” passed out,” Rice said. “I can’t ask a stranger for money. But you get used to it.” Rice credited her success to her mother, who im- parted on her, “that you can be anything you want to She learned that “women have to be different asking be.” When she became district attorney, I said I want to for money.” She said that “men are used to giving money be “that mentor for all those women who can’t get ahead to men. Men are not used to giving money to women. because they want to have a family too.” Most of the big political donors are men; we need women to be in positions to contribute at a higher rate than they “It is really, really important not only to find yourself are doing right now.” a mentor, but for women who are halfway up that lad- der, don’t forget, turn around and look at those women Rice believes that Sen. Harris is dealing with the same that you have to help up the ladder behind you. Don’t issues now that she did in 2010. “We all have to defend wait until you hit the pinnacle or the top of the ladder,” Kamala Harris regardless of what your politics are. This is said Rice. “You have to help all the women behind you a really great opportunity to support Kamala Harris. We as you’re going up the ladder yourself. It is important for have to reject outright any attempt by the establishment people to see people who look like them in positions they so to speak to pigeonhole women to try to keep them in want to have.” our place.” Mazur asked Rice if the attacks deterred women from Brandon Vogel is social media manager at NYSBA. running for office. “It absolutely does,” said Rice. “You This article first appeared online on Sept. 10, 2020 at have to have a really thick skin. Every mistake you ever https://www.nysba.org/i-had-to-prove-it-they-did-not- made in your life is held against you, unlike men.” kathleen-rice-discusses-campaigning-while-female.

Law School’s Over: What’s Next? A Conversation on Preparing for the Practice of Law By Laura Sulem

On October 26 and November 12, 2020, WILS hosted candid conversations with law school students and recent graduates on launching their careers and preparing to practice law in a pandemic. Attendees entered a number of virtual “rooms” to meet Section members from the judiciary, private practice, public sector organizations, and cor- porate institutions. Members discussed the various career paths available to law gradu- ates, how to choose an area of legal practice, effective interview strategies, best practice tips on networking, and how the attendees should prepare for their first post-graduation legal jobs. Both events were well attended by law students, graduates, and section members. The program was co-sponsored by the Young Lawyers Section. The Women in Law Section plans to continue these programs in 2021.

NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 37 Women on the Move 2020 Highlights: Resilience and Mindful Lawyering By Jennifer M. Boll

The Women on the Move (WOM) program is an an- and contributed to her professional growth. Then, the nual Continuing Legal Education program sponsored by WOM program brought together three separate panels of NYSBA’s Women in Law Section. WOM is planned by experts to discuss practicing law with mindfulness, active a dedicated subcommittee of WILS, led in 2020 by Co- listening and questioning, and the path of resilience we chairs Jennifer M. Boll and Nancy Sciocchetti. all must travel. Our panels featured an impressive slate of experienced and insightful attorneys and mental health The WOM program is typically a half-day program professionals from private practice, academia, government beginning with lunch and ending with a cocktail hour, held institutions, and wellness organizations. The day ended in person downstate or upstate in alternating years each with an opportunity for all of the attendees to have a ca- fall. The program is designed each year to focus on topics of sual chat with the panelists during a virtual happy hour. particular interest to women lawyers, keeping in mind the mission of WILS: advancing women in the legal profession. For 2021, whether online or in person, the WOM com- mittee will work hard to put on a program to inspire and In 2020, like much of NYSBA’s programming, the WOM encourage women in the legal profession, whatever the program pivoted to an online format for its October 21, year has in store for us. 2020 event. The topic was particularly relevant: “Resilience: Strengthening Your Career Through Mindful Lawyering.” Jennifer M. Boll is a member of Bond, Schoeneck & King. Her practice focuses on corporate, tax and estate With over 60 participants in the live virtual program, planning matters. She co-chairs Women on the Move WOM 2020 opened with an inspiring keynote address by with Nancy Sciocchetti, managing director in the New Angela Winfield, Esq., Associate Vice President for Inclu- York office of Mercury Public Affairs. Her practice fo- sion and Workforce Diversity at Cornell University, who cuses on health care. discussed how her blindness clarified her personal vision

Angela Winfield (lawyer and Associate Vice President for Inclusion and Workforce Diversity, Cornell University) was the Keynote Speaker for the 2020 Women on the Move “Active Listening and Questioning: Tips and Skills For (WOM) program, “Resilience: Strengthening Your Career Meaningful Results” featured Gary Norman, Hon. Karen Through Mindful Lawyering.” Nancy Sciocchetti was Co- Peters (ret.), Leona Krasner (moderator and chair, WILS Chair of the WOM program. Communications Committee), and Betty Lugo (Chair, Trial Lawyers Section).

Panelists Yana Feldman, Morghan Richardson (co-moderator, chair, Women in the Profession Committee), Kathryn Grant Madigan, Rev. Dr. Yvette Wilson-Barnes, JD, and Jennifer Boll Libby Coreno (shown), Robin Belleau and Kerry Murray O’Hara (Co-Chair, WOM and co-moderator) discussed “The Path of presented “Practicing Law With Mindfulness” at WOM. Resilience: Bending but Not Breaking” at WOM.

38 NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 The Legal Process in New York State: How “Revenge Porn” Became a Crime By Kaelyn Gustafson

On October 29, 2020, the Legisla- tive Affairs Committee of NYSBA’s Women in Law Section hosted a webinar explaining the legislative process in New York, including the committee’s active role in identifying, reviewing, and supporting legisla- tion of interest to women. The we- binar focused on the development and passage of New York’s 2019 law criminalizing cyber sexual assault – or colloquially, “revenge porn.” Revenge porn, which is the un- lawful dissemination or publication of an in intimate image, can affect anyone, but it disproportionately affects women, people of color, and LGBTQ individuals. Its repercussions “How Revenge Porn Became Law” drew one of WILS’ largest audiences. Shown are devastating, but prior to the law’s (starting top left) are: Carrie Goldberg, Professor Lauryn Gouldin (Syracuse enactment, survivors of this odious University Law School), NYS Assemblyman Edward Braunstein, NYS Senator Monica conduct had very little legal recourse. Martinez, Lindsay Song (Sanctuary for Families), Katherine Gibson (WILS Legislative Affairs Committee and co-moderator), Terri A. Mazur (Chair, WILS), and Jill The webinar featured the activists Starishevsky (assistant counsel to Governor Andrew Cuomo). and legislators responsible for finally holding perpetrators of revenge porn accountable. Early on, the Legislative Affairs Committee result of Syracuse Law Professor Lauryn Gouldin’s expert had recognized the import of this legislation and drafted moderating, and to the planning and preparation work a memorandum in support of its passage. Panelists Lind- undertaken by committee members Joy Thompson, Kate sey Song, Esq. and Carrie Goldberg, Esq. described their Gibson, and Kaelyn Gustafson and Committee Co-Chairs work as victim advocates and sexual assault attorneys, as Denise Bricker and Sarah Simpson. well as their roles in lobbying for the legislation. Sena- tor Monica Martinez and Congressman Edward Braun- Kaelyn Gustafson is a litigation associate at Fried, stein shared their experience drafting the legislation and Frank, Harris, Shriver, & Jacobson LLP. Prior to join- negotiating with groups opposing it, including big tech ing the firm, Kaelyn served as a judicial law clerk to the and the ACLU. Jill Starishevsky, Esq., associate counsel Hon. James Orenstein in the Eastern District of New to Governor Cuomo, offered insight into the governor’s York (2018-19) and to the Hon. Rebecca R. Freyre on the general considerations when signing a bill into law. Colorado Court of Appeals (2016-18). Kaelyn is a mem- This webinar was one of the Section’s most highly ber of the Legislative Affairs Committee of NYSBA’s acclaimed programs last year and showcased the mean- Women in Law Section. She attended James Madison ingful impact of the Legislative Affairs Committee’s College at Michigan State University (BA), Colorado efforts. It was well attended and reviewed by attendees State University (MA), and the University of Denver as “fascinating” and “wonderful.” This is no doubt the Sturm College of Law.

NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 39 Ivy Slater Gives Impactful Program on Projecting Confidence in Leadership By Laura Sulem

On December 1, 2020, Ivy Slater, CEO of Slater Suc- cess, gave an outstanding presentation called “Owning Your Confidence and Leading with Brilliance” to the Women in Law Section. We were very excited to have Ivy Slater present to our members and other women in the legal community. Ms. Slater is a professionally certified business coach, speaker, international best-selling author, and podcast host. She works with clients and corpora- tions to help them scale and implement sustainable growth practices, hosts roundtables, facilitates meetings, offers training, and speaks nationwide. Dozens of women attended the program and engaged Ivy Slater (speaker, author, coach and consultant) presented in an interactive session during which Ms. Slater gave ter- the interactive program “Owning Your Confidence and rific advice and tips, including how we should specifically Leading With Brilliance” on December 1, 2020 to a large set intentions and goals to create an action plan, actively audience. listen to foster powerful speaking and fruitful network- ing, and consistently keep a success journal to build and on how to effectively prepare for and present when using project confidence. She gave a particularly timely tip for Zoom and other video technology. The feedback from networking during in-person and virtual events, which our members was overwhelmingly positive and we are is to arrive early and act as a host welcoming others to thrilled to have such an impactful and well-received feel comfortable and break the ice. She also gave advice program!

Networking Amidst the Pandemic By Leona Krasner

To many, networking fell by the wayside during these of the conversations that I had with my peers, as well as unprecedented times, and understandably so. However, with leaders in their respective fields, have stayed with the Women in Law Section of the New York State Bar me. WILS’ recent law graduates series made an enormous Association made a decision to lead the way in com- difference for me. I met several fascinating recent gradu- ing together virtually during a time when we were each ates, and hired two as associates of my firm. beginning to miss seeing one another face-to-face. WILS’ I am very much looking forward to additional WILS events made a big impact for me, both personally as well networking events in the weeks and months ahead. While as professionally. there is no substitute for meeting together in person, be- The Women in Law Section organized several net- ing able to see one another and laugh and learn from one working events that gave participants the opportunity another makes for happier, more meaningful days. to hone their elevator pitches and share best practices on how to give, beyond merely offering a referral. Some

WILS hosted a virtual Game WILS held a Virtual Tax Day Our June 19, 2020 Summer Solstice Happy Hour ushered in Night on April 18, 2020. Happy Hour on April 15, 2020. the longest day of the year.

40 NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 WILS Virtual Book Club Corner

After the pandemic hit, and realizing that online get- Emily Giffin’s The Lies That Bind togethers would be the norm for many months to come, the Women in Law Section began hosting virtual book club meetings. We focused on novels written by women attorneys and invited the authors to attend the meetings to discuss their books’ plots and how they transitioned from practicing law to writing full time. Our virtual book club has proven popular and we hosted four of them in 2020.

Reyna Marder Gentin’s Unreasonable Doubts On August 20, 2020, author Emily Giffin joined the virtual book club to discuss her 10th bestselling novel, The Lies That Bind. The Lies That Bind is a gripping and irresistible story that explores the eternal search for love and truth in all as- pects of our lives. Protagonist Cecily Gardner, a Midwest transplant now living in New York City to pursue a career in journalism, is dealing with the end of a long-term relationship when she meets Grant on the next barstool. Just as their relationship takes off, Grant disappears in the chaos of 9/11. Cecily has more questions than answers On June 4, 2020, the Women in Law Section hosted its as she investigates his disappearance and discovers more inaugural virtual book club meeting to discuss the legal information about Grant’s true identity. thriller Unreasonable Doubts by author Reyna Marder Gen- Emily Giffin is one of the biggest selling women’s tin. We were thrilled to have the accomplished author of fiction authors writing today. One of her novels was this exciting novel join our first meeting! Gentin attended adapted into a major feature film and more may be in college and law school at Yale. After working at a large the works. Emily hails from Chicago, and is a graduate law firm and clerking in the Southern District of New of Wake Forest University and the University of Virginia York, she spent almost 20 years handling criminal appeals School of Law. She practiced litigation at a Manhattan at Appellate Advocates. In 2014 she left the practice of firm for several years. But writing was her dream, so she law to pursue a career in writing. Gentin studies at the retired from law to pursue her passion. Emily moved to Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College, and her fic- London in 2001 to write full-time and returned in 2003. tion and personal essays have been published widely. She She now lives in Atlanta with her husband and three chil- lives with her family in Scarsdale, New York. dren, two of whom are identical twins. Gentin spoke about her career and how her experi- We greatly enjoyed hearing from Emily Giffin, who ences as a criminal defense attorney influenced the book. virtually invited us into her home to share her enthusiasm She also answered several questions from her readers for her writing career and her creations. Emily reminisced about the book’s plot, including the novel’s depiction about her time as a practicing attorney at a large firm and of several strong women and the complex relationships even showed off her red lawyer’s diary from those years. between the protagonist and the novel’s other characters. She shared with us the challenges she faced at the start of This well-attended event was hosted by Laura Sulem, co- her career and her advice to aspiring writers. Emily an- chair of the Section’s Annual Meeting, Programming and swered questions from attendees about her inspiration for CLE Committee. her novels, the history of her characters and the plot twists of The Lies That Bind, all while taking care not to reveal any “spoilers.” Thanks to Emily’s warm and engaging man- ner, along with some off-screen cameos by her children, we ended the evening feeling as if we were old friends. The book club was hosted by Sheryl Galler, Chair- Elect of WILS and Co-Chair of the Section’s Annual Meet- ing, Programming and CLE Committee.

NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 41 Jodé Millman’s The Midnight Call Pamela Samuels Young’s Failure to Protect

The virtual book club met on September 24, 2020 to Award-winning author Pamela Samuels Young joined discuss the legal thriller The Midnight Call by author Jodé the virtual book club meeting to discuss her legal thriller Millman. The Midnight Call is an intriguing and suspense- Failure to Protect on December 10, 2020. The novel, which ful courtroom thriller about corporate attorney Jessie takes on the bullying epidemic and its devastating after- Martin, who receives a late-night call from a distraught math, is one book in a series of books featuring protago- family friend and the prime suspect in a grisly murder nists Angela Evans and Dre Thomas. investigation. After she rushes to the crime scene to help, it’s not long before she finds herself entangled in the in- Attorney and award-winning author Pamela Samuels vestigation and battling for justice and freedom. Young is known for writing fast-paced legal thrillers that tackle important social issues. Before retiring from the Jodé Millman is a graduate of Syracuse University’s practice of law, Young worked as managing counsel for Maxwell School of Public Policy and New York Univer- Toyota, specializing in labor and employment law, and sity’s School of Law. She authored the best-selling Seats: spent years as an associate at the Los Angeles office of the New York and Seats: Chicago theatre guidebooks before law firm O’Melveny & Meyers. A former journalist, she publishing her debut novel, The Midnight Call, which was spent several years as a television news writer and associ- designated Best Police Procedural by Chantireviews.com ate producer in Detroit and Los Angeles. Young earned a and was short-listed for the Clue Award. Millman is the bachelor’s degree in journalism from University of South- recipient of many other literary awards, among them the ern California, a master’s degree in broadcasting from 2020 Bronze IPPY Award from Independent Book Pub- Northwestern University, and a law degree from Univer- lishers and an American Fiction Award in the genre of sity of California, Berkeley. She is the author of more than Legal Thrillers. She is an attorney, a member of NYSBA, a dozen books, including the novel Anybody’s Daughter, and the co-host and co-producer of the popular podcast which provides an eye-opening look into the world of Backstage with the Bardavon. She lives with her family in child sex trafficking and won the NAACP’s Image Award the Hudson Valley. for Outstanding Fiction. We were honored that the book’s author joined our Young described the real-life events that inspired meeting. Millman spoke about her impressive career as Failure to Protect and candidly discussed how she juggled a practicing attorney and how actual events inspired the practicing law and writing novels before she began writ- book’s plot. She also answered several questions from at- ing full time. The meeting attracted dozens of attendees tendees about the book’s complex characters, plot twists, and was hosted by Laura Sulem. and sequel, which is in progress. The meeting was well attended and was hosted by Laura Sulem, co-chair of the Section’s Annual Meeting, Programming and CLE Committee.

42 NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 Section Committees and Chairs

The Women in Law Section encourages members to participate in its programs and to volunteer to serve on the Commit- tees listed below. Please contact Section Officers or Committee Chairs for further information.

Awards Committee General Counsels Committee Catherine A. Christian Frettra Miller De Silva New York County DA, Special Victims Bureau Standard Chartered Bank 1 Hogan Place 1095 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10013 38th Floor [email protected] New York, NY 10036 [email protected] Marilyn J. Flood [email protected] Legislative Affairs Committee Denise Bricker Annual Meeting, Programming and CLE Committee National Audubon Society Sheryl Galler 225 Varick Street [email protected] 7th Floor New York, NY 10014-4396 Laura Sulem [email protected] Thomson Reuters 3 Times Square Sarah E. Simpson New York, NY 10036-6564 Suffolk County Legislature [email protected] PO Box 6100 Hauppauge, NY 11788 Champions Committee [email protected] Mark Arthur Berman MAILING PURPOSES ONLY Membership and Engagement Committee Ganfer Shore Leeds & Zauderer LLP Meredith Palermo 360 Lexington Avenue 65 Court Street 14th Floor Brooklyn, NY 11021 New York, NY 10017-6502 [email protected] [email protected] Partners Committee Deborah Kaye Danielle Caroline Lesser [email protected] Morrison Cohen LLP 909 3rd Ave New York, NY 10022-4784 Communications Committee [email protected] Leona Krasner [email protected] Reports, Surveys and Publications Committee Kathleen Scott Emerging Lawyers Committee [email protected] Christina H. Singh-Bedell

MAILING PURPOSES ONLY Development and Sponsorship Committee New York State Office of the Attorney General Linda Redlisky 200 Old Country Road, Suite 240 Rafferty & Redlisky LLP Mineola, NY 11501-4271 629 Fifth Avenue, Suite 301 [email protected] Pelham, NY 10803 Equity in the Legal Profession Committee [email protected] Debra VeyVoda Hamilton Women In the Association Committee [email protected] Morghan Leia Richardson Gender Issues Committee 605 3rd Ave. 34th Floor Pamela Bass New York, NY 10158 [email protected] [email protected]

NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 43 GET ACTIVE! Join a Women in Law Section Committee Get active and join a WILS committee to help address the many critical issues impacting women attorneys today. Committee membership is a great opportunity for you to shape and influence the laws and policies affecting women, develop research initiatives to spotlight issues important to women, and create innovative programs and events that raise your profile and enhance your professional development. We welcome your ideas and participation! Please email our Section Liaison, Carra Forgea ([email protected]), to indicate your preference for up to three committee(s) you wish to join.

WOMEN IN LAW SECTION COMMITTEES Annual Meeting & Programming Committee Organizes programs throughout the year for the Section, including WILS’ Annual Meeting event, the Edith I. Spivack Sympo- sium. Committee members develop and run programs and events, have extensive interaction with leaders in the legal profes- sion, and may have an opportunity to participate as a speaker or moderator of a program.

Awards Committee Chooses recipients for the Ruth G. Schapiro and Kay Crawford Murray Memorial Awards and participates in the awards cere- monies. This committee will also participate in selecting recipients for the newly created Ruth Bader Ginsburg Memorial Schol- arship. Meets September through November and in January.

Champions: Men Advancing Women Committee Engages men as partners to advance women in the profession, the Association, and society-at-large. Activities include planning Drinks & Dialogues events (small get-togethers to discuss gender issues in a “safe environment” for men and women), com- menting on news and issues, and supporting policies that advance women.

Communications Committee Promotes the work and activities of the Section, including on social media and the NYSBA Communities platform.

Development & Sponsorship Committee Develops a financial sponsorship plan to support WILS programs, events, and activities. Committee members also foster rela- tionships with companies, legal vendors, and law firms to provide financial support for the activities and mission of the Section and of NYSBA and works closely with senior leadership on developing and executing WILS’ strategic operational strategy. If you have an interest in finance and developing relationships with companies, vendors, and law firms to support WILS, this is the committee for you.

44 NYSBA WILS Connect | 2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1 Emerging Lawyers Committee Promotes opportunities and relationship-building for women new to the legal profession and supports their professional development and success. Programming includes networking events for women lawyers at varying career stages, panels featuring women leaders in different practice specialties, and the opportunity to learn about the variety of career paths available for women with law degrees (including non-traditional careers for lawyers). For law students, recent graduates, and new attorneys.

Equity in the Legal Profession (EILP) Committee Explores, understands, and advances the equity of women in the law. The committee examines issues that may be delay- ing or derailing the advancement of women in the legal profession due to gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, or dis- ability. Activities include programming, researching and drafting reports, and collaborating with our NYSBA colleagues, law firms, corporations, the public sector, and outside bar associations. We promote scholarship, recognition, networking, and engagement to advance equitable access to leadership positions for women in the legal profession.

Gender Issues Committee Addresses specific issues and rights that may impact women, children, and families. Examples include domestic violence, human trafficking, and gender violence. The committee also helps women secure leadership positions and develop spe- cific skills, such as negotiation skills.

General Counsel Committee Develops strategies and tactics to help advance women lawyers within companies and as outside counsel. The committee supports women in-house counsel to help them advance their careers and find and exploit professional opportunities. For current and former in-house counsel in private, public, and not-for-profit practice.

Legislative Affairs Committee (LAC) Identifies new or existing New York State legislation relating to issues of interest to women, drafts evaluations and memos in support of proposed legislation as it may affect women, and presents such reports to WILS’ Executive Committee (EC) for adoption, and when requested by the WILS’ Chair or EC, to the NYSBA Executive Committee or House of Delegates for their consideration. Members conduct research, make recommendations to WILS regarding the legislation, and pre- pare memos supporting or opposing legislation. Members may also participate in meetings with NYSBA’s lobbyist, plan programs, and develop partnerships with other NYSBA sections. The time commitment is approximately 15-25 hours an- nually. The peak committee activities occur between January and June 30.

Membership & Engagement Committee Recruits, retains, and engages members of the Section and seeks to advance and promote WILS’ mission. Committee members are the membership ambassadors of WILS.

Partners Committee Explores the unique issues faced by women partners in law firms, including maximizing client development, securing firm leadership positions, and finding and acting as mentors and sponsors. Members network with other women partners and foster a strong and supportive community for women partners throughout New York State. For current and former partners or executive level counsel in private practice.

Reports, Surveys & Publications (RSP) Committee Reviews reports submitted to the House of Delegates and drafts memos about such reports to the WILS Executive Com- mittee for consideration. Committee members also conduct surveys on behalf of the Section, prepare WILS’s publication, WILS Connect, and write articles, blogs, and other materials to promote the equality and fair treatment of women in the legal profession and all women under the law.

Women in the Association Committee Works to advance women in the New York State Bar Association.

Women on the Move (WOM) Committee Organizes and runs WILS’ annual Women on the Move CLE conference, which focuses on topics of concern to women at- torneys and is traditionally held in October. Members identify topics and speakers, work with panelists, and have the op- portunity to speak on or moderate panels. This committee meets spring to late October. NEW YORK STATE BAR ASSOCIATION WOMEN IN LAW SECTION NON PROFIT ORG. One Elk Street, Albany, New York 12207-1002 U.S. POSTAGE PAID ALBANY, N.Y. PERMIT NO. 155

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Visit us online at NYSBA.ORG/CLE