WILS Connect - New York State Bar Association
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
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
Now Includes
Access hundreds of programs Annual Meeting 2021
online and satisfy your MCLE Programs!
requirement for one low price.
> Gain access to all CLE Online video programs and
course materials for one year
> New programs added each month
$495 for
> Monthly billing option
NYSBA Members
For more information visit NYSBA.ORG/ALLACCESSPASS
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
7 WILS Past, Present and Future: Q & A with Terri A. Mazur
and Sheryl Galler
Linda Redlisky
14 WILS Members Contribute to a First-of-Its-
Kind NYSBA Publication: Virtual Lawyering
WILS Connect
16 Fa La La La La and the Practice of Law in the COVID-19 Age
Leona Krasner
2021 | Vol. 2 | No. 1
Regulars
17 Women in Law: Always Working, Gapped Attorneys Are
Returning to Lawyering for Cash
Neva D. Strom 3 Message From the Chair
Terri A. Mazur
18 Sharing a Coffee, Zoom-Style
Leona Krasner
4
Message From the Editors
Terri A. Mazur and
Laura Sulem
Celebrating and Remembering Trailblazing Women
19 Monumental Women Unveil Historic Women’s Rights
Pioneers Monument in Central Park 5 Message From
the President
Scott M. Karson
Terri A. Mazur
20 Remembering Hollis Salzman
Terri A. Mazur 12 Member Spotlight on Kim Wolf
Price, Chair-Elect of WILS
Linda Redlisky
25 The Honorable Tanya R. Kennedy Wins NYSBA’s 2021 John
E. Higgins Diversity Trailblazer Award
27
Robyn M. Frank
Reflections on Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life Committed to
15 WILS Committee Spotlight:
Champions Committee
Deborah H. Kaye
Justice
28
Linda Redlisky
Amy Coney Barrett: 103d Associate Justice to the United
States Supreme Court
43 Section Committee
Chairpersons
Terri A. Mazur
Highlights from the Year
35 The Unusual Firing of U.S. Attorney
Geoffrey Berman: The Process and Is
21 Taking WILS’ Suffrage Exhibit and Presentation to
the Courts
Justice at Stake?
Brendan Kennedy
22 Virtual Reality: Our Year in Photos
36
‘I Had To Prove It, They Did Not’:
Kathleen Rice Discusses Campaigning
While Female
26 2021 WILS Annual Meeting:
Ready to Lead: Advancing Women Leaders Brandon Vogel
During the Pandemic and Beyond
37 Law School’s Over: What’s Next? A
Conversation on Preparing for the
29 2020 WILS Annual Meeting: Staring Down Implicit
Bias in the Legal Workplace Practice of Law
Laura Sulem Laura Sulem
30 Law Day 2020: Achieving Equality for Women in the
Courtroom and in ADR
38 Women on the Move 2020 Highlights:
Resilience and Mindful Lawyering
Jennifer M. Boll
Terri A. Mazur
32 WILS Toolkit Series: Sick and Safe Leave in New York 39 The Legal Process in New York State:
How “Revenge Porn” Became a Crime
Sheryl M. Galler
Kaelyn Gustafson
33 Addressing Systemic Racism in the Aftermath of
George Floyd’s Murder
40
Ivy Slater Gives Impactful Program on
Projecting Confidence in Leadership
Christian Nolan
Laura Sulem
34 Celebrating Juneteenth: A Conversation With
Cheryl Wills 40 Networking Amidst the Pandemic
Leona Krasner
Brandon Vogel
41 WILS Virtual Book Club Corner
WILS Connect Women in Law Section
Co-Editors
Section Officers
Terri A. Mazur Chair
tmazur575@gmail.com Terri A. Mazur
tmazur575@gmail.com
Laura Sulem
laurasulem@gmail.com Chair-Elect
Sheryl Galler
For information and submissions please contact sbgesq@yahoo.com
Kathleen Scott
scot1527@yahoo.com 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 redlisky@randrlegal.com
to scot1527@yahoo.com. 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 msowah@nycourts.gov
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 submission of articles. Bogota, NJ 07603
Information on submission of articles can also be found sharperny@aol.com
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 kwolfprice@bsk.com
in.
Reprint requests can be made to reprint@nysba.org. 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 jboll@bsk.com
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
modations. To request auxiliary aids or services or if you have
60 Centre Street
New York, NY 10007
any questions regarding accessibility, please contact the Bar
tanyareneekennedy@gmail.com
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
laurasulem@gmail.com
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-
Terri Mazur Laura Sulem for their invaluable as-
BA, features on WILS
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 (scot1527@yahoo.com), 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
N E W Y O R K S TAT E B A R A S S O C I AT I O N
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
scot1527@yahoo.com
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.
Lawyer Assistance
Program
Lawyer Assistance Program
Confidential Helpline
1-800-255-0569
NYSBA’s Lawyer Assistance Program offers
no-cost confidential services to help you or
a loved one suffering from a mental health
struggle or alcohol or substance use problem.
Call the helpline at 1-800-255-0569 or
email the LAP Director, Stacey Whiteley at
swhiteley@nysba.org, to find support.
Information shared with the LAP is
confidential and covered under Judiciary Law
Section 499.
You are not alone.
There is help available.
For self-assessment tools and additional
resources go to NYSBA.ORG/LAP
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
in-home schooling, child and elder care.7 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
Among our many virtual events, we marked the
For Women Attorneys in the Courtroom and in ADR”
centennial anniversary of women’s suffrage with both
(“2020 Report”), which updates their groundbreaking
solemnity and rejoicing, holding a number of programs
2017 Report, reveals how little progress we have made in
on the history of women’s suffrage, voting rights, and
three years. The 2020 Report found that women comprise
joining with the Labor and Employment Law Section for
only 25.3% of lead counsel—only a ½% increase in lead
a program on voting rights and voter suppression. WILS’
counsel roles. This is stunning and unacceptable, especial-
widely acclaimed Centennial Suffrage Exhibit has trav-
ly given that clients are increasingly demanding diverse
eled to various New York State courts over the past two
outside counsel as their lead lawyers.
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
WILS drew on its diverse membership to reach out
12% in New York State across a number of organizations
to judges, politicians, professors, media, filmmakers and
such as FINRA, AAA and JAMS, but this remains too low.
others as we strove to address the numerous issues that
The 2020 Report offers excellent strategies to combat these
quickly unfolded as 2020 progressed, including civil
problems and they need to be implemented at every level
rights, systemic racism, bias, voting rights and voting
of our profession.
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
wreaked by the pandemic. We expanded our programs • Congresswoman Kathleen Rice, who provided
and provided a nurturing, constructive environment for fascinating and, at times, painful insight into what
women and men to feel supported and encouraged in it’s like to be a woman campaigning for and hold-
these difficult times. ing elected office, trying to represent her constitu-
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. 1Kamala 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 9Q: 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. 1firms, 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
Serve in State Legislatures in 2021, https://cawp.rutgers.edu/
might include conducting anti-harassment training,
election-analysis/record-number-women-state-legislatures-2021.
drafting sick and family leave policies or reviewing vot-
3. Center for American Women and Politics, Eagleton Institute of
ing leave provisions in employee handbooks. Through 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-
developed-by-women.
same.
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.
pdf.
year, webinars on how to build their brand and enhance
their skills, as well as programs to network and connect 10. NYSBA, Commercial & Federal Litigation Section Task Force on
Women’s Initiatives, The Time Is Now: Achieving Equality for Women
with each other. Attorneys in the Courtroom and in ADR, at 13 (May 11, 2020) (“2020
Report”),https://nysba.org/app/uploads/2020/05/ComFed_-
Last, but certainly not least, to reach out to more of 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/
women/publications/perspectives/2020/january/broken-rungs-
most useful to them. the-career-ladder-new-analysis-problems-encountered-women-
lawyers-private-practice/#:~:text=Men%20earned%20
WILS has 15 different committees offering at
% 2 4 9 5 9 % 2 C 0 0 0 % 2 0 o n % 2 0 a v e r a g e , f o u r % 2 0 p re v i o u s % 2 0
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 11Member 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. 1versity & 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
of WOM and current WILS Executive Committee (EC) Q: As you take on the role of Chair-Elect of WILS,
members, to be creative, smart, welcoming and support- what are the issues you plan to focus on in the upcom-
ive. I ended up co-chairing WOM with Morghan Rich- ing year?
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 13WILS 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-
and the future of virtual lawyering, entitled Virtual Lawyer- monial and family law attorneys.
Virtual
Lawyering:
ing: A Practical Guide. As editor of the e-book, Mark A. Ber- As new virtual options became A Practical Guide
man, partner at Ganfer Shore Leeds & Zauderer, proudly available for divorce and family Editor
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
a Super Lawyers Rising Star and by the American Society
Family Lawyers, by Morghan Richardson
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. 1You can also read
