Susan L. Pollet, Chair of the Archive and Historian Committee

Interview of Amanda K. Rieben

By:  Susan L. Pollet, Archive and Historian Chair

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

 A: I became involved with the WWBA in 2014 after the birth of my first daughter. I had been practicing at a non-profit in New York County and was looking to work in Westchester County, but I did not have any contacts and/or resources in the Westchester community. I felt that joining a bar association was the best way to make new contacts, as I explored different opportunities in the Westchester County legal community.

      The WWBA and its membership surpassed any expectations that I had. One of the WWBA members assisted me in my vocational search, putting me in contact with members of the community. She also provided me with invaluable advice and guidance on what programs and events to attend to further to make additional contacts and further explore my legal interests. Through her own vocational experiences and stories, she also helped me assess my future goals and aspirations.

Q: In what ways have you been active in the WWBA?

A: I have been active in the WWBA in many ways. I have served on the WWBA Board and as one of the Co-Chairs of the Families, Children and the Courts Committee the “FCC Committee”) since in or about 2018.  In my role as Co-Chair of the FCC Committee, I have helped to plan several continuing legal education programs, as well as other lunch and learn opportunities and seminars.  Additionally, I have served on the Annual Dinner Committee and have acted as a Mentor as part of the Mentorship Committee.         

       I have also served as Recording Secretary, President Elect, and WWBA President. In my term as WWBA President, I made it a priority to further community integration and raise awareness to various social issues impacting individuals, with a particular focus on domestic violence. With the assistance of several non-profits in the legal community, including the Pace Women’s Justice Center, Hope’s Door, My Sisters’ Place, and Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, we hosted eight programs on domestic violence during my term.  As WWBA President, I also focused my attention on the WWBA day-to-day operation and fiscal strength. With the support of our membership, board and officers and directors, we created new fundraising opportunities, membership benefits, and we made other changes to help the WWBA hopefully continue to grow.

      Currently, I am now serving as a WWBA State Director, as well as the WWBA liaison to the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (“WBASNY”) Domestic Violence Committee. In this capacity, I hope to become more involved at the state level with various issues impacting victims of domestic violence

Q: Why do you think there is still a need for a women’s bar association?

A: I believe that a women’s bar association is important to newer lawyers and law students to help them curate their legal interests and pursue various legal endeavors. Additionally, while one can attend CLE and other programs online, I strongly feel that there is no substitute for in-person networking opportunities and the relationships that you develop through in-person events is important. The contacts and friends I have made through the WWBA through the years have been instrumental to my career growth.

      Through the support of the WWBA and its members, I have also been able to become more actively involved and give back to the legal community. The WWBA provides several different educational and volunteering opportunities, as well programs to connect with other members of the organization.

Q: Please tell us about your legal career.

A: I have spent all but one year of my legal career focusing on family and matrimonial law. In law school I interned my 1L and 2L summers at non-profits that worked exclusively with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.  From these experiences I knew that I wanted to devote my career to assisting others with their family law related issues.  

      After law school, I initially accepted a job with a class-action law firm, which provided me with important legal research, writing and communication skills, but I was not able to connect with clients and impact their lies in the same way that my internships had allowed me. After my first year, I pivoted and accepted a job in New York County with an agency called the Center for Family Representation (“CFR”). As a Staff Attorney at CFR, I defended parents in abuse/neglect proceedings under Article 10 of the Family Court Act.  This job provided me with invaluable litigation experience. It showed me the significant barriers that my clients faced given their limited financial resources and the profound impact that effective legal representation can have on their case and family reunification. Many of my clients grew up in the child welfare system, either living in fosters homes and/or having had allegations brought against their parents. Connecting my clients with essential services and resources for themselves and their children was also essential to helping them break the cycle of the child welfare system’s involvement.

      After my employment with CFR, I primarily worked with domestic violence victims, first as a Staff Attorney with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, and later as Director of the Pace Women’s Justice Center’s Walk-In Legal Clinic. In both roles, I zealously advocated and assisted domestic violence victims in family offense, custody, support, and divorce matters. I also participated in several Know Your Rights programs and trainings, speaking to various staff and clients from other agencies in the community, helping them to understand their legal rights and options.

      I am now a Partner at the law firm of Abrams Fensterman, LLP in their Family and Matrimonial Law Department, working out of the firm’s White Plains Office. In this role, I assist clients with several types of family law related legal matters, including pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, divorce, legal separation, custody and child support.  My prior experiences in the public sector play a critical role in my approach toward each case and have provided me with an understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence, and the ways in which it may manifest itself with higher net worth clients. I am empathetic toward each client’s needs, and recognize from my prior vocational experiences, the long-term impact that a case may have not only on my client, but their family, including their children.

Q:  Which community activities are you involved in?

A: In addition to my involvement with the WWBA, I previously served as a Board Member at my youngest daughter’s pre-school. I will also now be serving on the board of the Westchester Women’s Bar Association Foundation, which is the charitable arm of the Westchester Women’s Bar Association.

 

Q: How have you balanced your legal career with your personal life?

A: It is not easy to maintain balance in the legal profession. I think that my three daughters and my husband have provided me with perspective, and much needed reprieve from the demands of this profession. Every day despite various deadlines and the stresses that legal work can pose, I spend time with them, whether attending various sporting or art-related activities, dinners, hikes, or travelling. I cherish this time with my family. I am also grateful to them for the perspective they have given me and continue to provide me with in my career. They are a constant reminder of the importance of family, which I think is essential for lawyers not to lose sight of even when litigating the most contentious family/matrimonial law related issues.

 

Q: What do you wish to accomplish in the future?

A:  I want to continue practicing family and matrimonial law, helping clients to navigate what may often be one of the worst times in their lives. I also intend to remain involved in the community through the Westchester Women’s Bar Association and the WWBAF. In my capacity as WWBA State Director, and WWBA liaison to WBASNY’s Domestic Violence Committee, I would like to help continue to raise awareness on issues impacting domestic violence victims.