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Member News



2024

Lisa M. Denig, Commissioner of Human Resources at Westchester County and former President of the WWBA, has published her firstnovel, Trial and Error. The novel follows Katie Richter, a divorced mom of two teenage girls, who works full time during the day and attends law school at night, all while fighting to keep her younger daughter

from spiraling into a life of endless partying and drug use. When Katiefinally graduates from law school and begins working as an Assistant District Attorney, one of her daughters is murdered. She is forced to reckon with her failings as a mom as well as the ethical dilemma she faces when she realizes her remaining child might commit perjury to secure the killer’s conviction. The book is available for purchase on Amazon. 

Cindy Kanusher, Executive Director of the Pace Women’s Justice Center (PWJC), has been selected to receive the Visionary of Justice Award at the Elizabeth Haub School of Law, Law Leadership Award Dinner at the Westchester Country Club on March 14, 2024. The PWJC is a not-for-profit legal services provider for victims of domestic

violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse. After becoming the Executive Director in 2015, Cindy spearheaded fundraising efforts that lead to $3 million dollars for the construction of a new walk-in clinic and office space for free legal services. The new clinic resulted in an increase in services by 20%. The PWJC serves over 3,000 victims

and survivors of interpersonal violence each year.

❑ Congratulations to WWBA President Amanda K. Rieben on being elevated to Partner at Abrams Fensterman LLP! Amanda practices in the Family and Matrimonial Law department of the firm’s White Plains office. 


2023

Congratulations to Lucia Chiocchio and Cindy Kanusher who were honored with the 2023 Women Innovators Award from Westfair Communications on October 26, 2023 at the VIP Country Club in New Rochelle. The award is given to women who have been innovators in various fields, advocate for innovation in their organizations and break barriers by making significant contributions to science, technology, arts and other areas. 

Westchester County Executive George Latimer has appointed Lisa M. Denig, Esq.WWBA Board member and Past President, as Commissioner of Human Resources at the Westchester County Department of Human Resources. Lisa has previously served in senior positions within the Office of Court Administration and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, and as the Chief of Staff to the Putnam County Executive.

On March 2, 2023, the Society of Irish-American Lawyers (SOCIAL) honored Kathleen Donelli, Esq., WWBA Past President and Partner at Goldschmidt & Genovese, LLP, with a Distinguished Achievement Award at its annual GALA. The Hon. Sondra M. Miller gave eloquent and meaningful introductory remarks about her mentoring relationship and bond with Kathleen, and the Hon. Colleen D. Duffy, Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, Second Department, presented her with the award. Kathleen gave a rich speech, both educating the audience about Ireland’s history and sharing a personal history of her family and profession.

WWBA President Elizabeth Z. Marcus, and longtime WWBA members Mary F. Kelly, Esq., Past President of both WBASNY and the WWBA, and a founding member of Kelly & Knaplund, and Carla D. Glassman, Esq., a founding member and Of Counsel to Glassman & Brown, LLP, were among those present in support. The WWBA extends heartfelt congratulations to Kathleen on this honor.

 Prolific author and WWBA Archive & Historian Chair, Susan L. Pollet, has published a collection of poems in 2023, entitled “Susiku, And More.” Susan has been writing poems daily for the last three years, and her poems have appeared in various publications, but this is her first book of poetry. Its title is a play on words between haiku and her first name. The first part, “SEEKING CONNECTION, HOWEVER TENUOUS,” contains poems which examine struggles within relationships and in communications between people, as well as poems which explore internal dialogues. The second part, “REDEMPTION AND RENEWAL, ON OCCASION,” probes universal questions about existence, history, survival, violence, beauty, love and more. Looking forward to a warm coffee and inspiration in Susan’s poetry on a spring day. Please visit SusanPollet.com for more information. “Susiku, And More” is available on Amazon.com; Barnesandnoble.com; and other online and local retailers.

The Women in Professional Development group meets on the first Friday of each month, at 1:00pm, at the 445 Café in White Plains. Its goal is to provide WWBA members with informal support to effectively deal with the inevitability of change in our lives and careers. The group aims to provide peer-to-peer networking and conversation, and to leverage the experience and expertise of fellow WWBA members. The next meeting is scheduled for April 1, 2023, with a new discussion topic to be circulated closer to then. Please contact Sakeena B. Naqvi at sakeenan26@gmail.com, or Juliet Gobler, at juliet@goblerlaw.com, with any questions or to join the email list. 

We are happy to share that Immediate Past President Amanda Fried’s daughter, Indie Frances Fried, was born on December 28, 2022. Congratulations to Amanda, and we welcome Indie to the WWBA family!

On December 2, 2022, longtime WWBA member, Gladys G. Ullmann, Esq., was inducted into the Westchester County Senior Citizens Hall of Fame. The awards ceremony, now in its 40th year, was conducted as a multi-platform virtual event and led by Westchester County Executive George Latimer.

The Senior Hall of Fame is a tribute to older adults who have generously given their time and energy to improve the quality of life in their communities or Westchester County at large. This distinction is awarded to those whose contributions have made a positive difference through their professional lives, volunteer work, or both.

Gladys, who is currently 91 years old and practicing law, began her career as a high school teacher in Mount Vernon and Ardsley schools, where she taught French. After retiring for 20 years, she returned to school herself and obtained a law degree at Pace University. Gladys excelled in both careers and raised a family. Gladys continues to be a vibrant participant of the WWBA – she is a valuable contributor to book club discussions and attends many social events. Gladys is also an active member of the Scarsdale Women’s Club and the New Rochelle Bar Association. The WWBA extends congratulations to Gladys for this recognition of her outstanding professional life, and gratitude for her contributions to our community!

Collaboration between the WWBA and the Westchester County Bar Association continued this year with overwhelming support from our members, amounting to a successful second Winter Coat Drive. More than 300 coats, plus scarves, hats, and gloves, were delivered on January 10, 2023 to Lifting Up Westchester, Grasslands Homeless Shelter, and Midnight Run. Thank you, donors!




                                                        Member Moves, Awards & Milestones
Changing firms or in-house positions? Made partner? Receiving an award?
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