By: Susan L. Pollet, Chair of the Archive and Historian Committee
Q: When and why did you become involved with the WWBA?
A: I joined years ago because I first worked in White Plains so I wanted connections and opportunities for growth, such as CLEs and speakers. Initially, my participation was minimal. I attended the holiday party and the cocktail hour for the annual dinner. I was timid around the well-established attorneys who seemed to all know each other, and my networking skills were limited. Then I received an email from Elizabeth Marcus at the beginning of her term as WWBA President asking if I would consider becoming chair of the Judgment Enforcement & Collections Committee. I already knew Lisa Denig and Pat Angley so I discussed the opportunity with them before I agreed to the position. Since becoming a committee chair, my participation has drastically increased.
Q: In which ways have you been active in the WWBA?
A: While it sounds cliché, I did not understand what I was missing until I became involved and experienced a lot of what WWBA has to offer. I attend board meetings, general membership meetings, happy hours and CLEs in addition to the holiday party and annual dinner. About a year ago, the Hon. Kim Berg asked that I consider mentoring a 1L student at Pace, and I agreed to that as well. I enjoy being a mentor and gave my mentee some pointers before her first moot court argument. Before taking office, our current president Sherry Bishko asked that I consider becoming one of the state directors to WBASNY. I was installed as a WWBA State Director at the 2024 annual dinner and am looking forward to all that entails.
Q: Why do you think there is still a need for a women’s bar association?
A: Things have changed and improved in many respects, such as the increase in the number of female judges, but there is certainly more to be done. Inside and outside of the profession there is still the stigma that a strong, outspoken man is a good leader while a woman with the same qualities is bossy or disruptive. At the same time, women who are not outwardly strong are often perceived as weak or emotional and unable to handle the legal profession. And then, of course, there is the work/life balance issue that impacts women more than men. These are complicated issues that women attorneys continue to face and we must continue to address. Also, women’s bar associations such as WWBA give women attorneys a place to speak to someone outside their organization who can guide them, support them, and share experiences. Female law students need that support and guidance too. Even after many years of practice, it is still comforting and beneficial to have camaraderie with other female attorneys and to use them as sounding boards.
Q: Please tell us about your legal career.
A: After earning my undergraduate degree from Binghamton University, I went to Boston University School of Law. Originally, I wanted to work for the government and practice environmental law, but life took me toward private practice and commercial litigation. My first job was at a large firm in White Plains handling primarily collection, vehicle forfeiture and vehicle repossession matters. After 4 years, I left for a firm on Long Island where I began handling banking litigation and other commercial litigation. The firm became Stagg Wabnik Law Group LLP and I was promoted to Senior Counsel. They threw a 20th-anniversary party for me in October 2023, which was wonderful.
My cases run the gamut in value, from hundreds of dollars to hundreds of thousands. I practice in various federal courts, New York, New Jersey, JAMS and the AAA. Many people are shocked to hear that I live in Westchester and commute to Long Island, but I have no intention of leaving Westchester or my firm. Some people I work with insist that I live “upstate,” and I cannot convince them otherwise.
In addition to my supervisory role as Senior Counsel, I mentor the associates I work with. My role is not just to hand out assignments but to teach and help them advance.
Q: Which community activities are you involved in?
A: Before COVID, I volunteered for a therapeutic horseback riding program for special needs children at a barn in the Bronx. I spent many Saturdays there working with the kids. Sadly, the program did not restart.
Ever involved in the law profession, I am still a mentor to a law student and I volunteer as a Moot Court judge at Pace a couple of times a year. Besides the WWBA, I am on the board of the Justice Brandeis Law Society 9th JD. Within the past year or two, I became active with the Westchester County Bar Association as a member of a task force on attorney well-being. That task force became the Attorney Well-Being Committee, and I am now its secretary.
Q: How have you balanced your legal career with your personal life?
A: Like most women, the answer is probably poorly, but I am getting better. It is one reason I was drawn to the task force on attorney well-being. Many people say that COVID helped them focus on work-life balance and spending more time with family. I understand that perspective, but I also think that COVID made us more accessible and tethered to clients, the courts and adversaries. Office calls go to our cell phones so we are reachable at all hours. We can log in at home at any hour to read a document, answer an email or revise a brief. I try to know when I need to turn off work and focus on me – whether it is taking photographs at the New York Botanical Gardens, seeing a Broadway show, or just having lunch with a friend.
Q: What do you wish to accomplish in the future?
A: Definitely a better work-life balance. I do not have a specific goal and am not chasing a brass ring. Perhaps that is a good thing because it means I am content. There is such an emphasis on advancement and needing to shoot for the moon that we sometimes overlook the need to stop and smell the roses. Right now, I am happy with the roses.
