New York Women's Bar Association, 132 East 43rd Street, #716, The Chrysler Building, New York, NY, 10017-4019
Message from the President


Serving Our Members

It is such an honor to take the helm as President of the New York Women’s Bar Association as of June 1, 2014, after having attended our amazing Award Dinner on May 8. When asked during the “Q&A” portion of our Award Dinner last month to give career advice to new attorneys, the Honorable Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, highly recommended joining the NYWBA, an organization of which she is a long-time member. We could not have hoped for a better testament to the importance of the Association.

Justice Sotomayor also spoke of the key role women have played and still play in her world, and celebrated the bond of sisterhood in both her personal and professional life.

As I embark on the humbling and thrilling journey to lead this prestigious Association, I reflect on how immensely grateful I am to the women in my life. Upon relocating to New York City in 2006, I joined the NYWBA on the advice of then Director, and now past President Hon. Lisa A. Sokoloff. I can candidly say that following this advice opened up a world of opportunities for me as I rose through the organization's ranks, starting out by planning CLE programs, becoming CLE Coordinator, and going on to serve as a Director, and then as an Officer in the positions of Recording Secretary, and more recently Vice President. For the past two years, I also served as Liaison to the NYWBA Committee Chairs on behalf of immediate Past President Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann.

As a young and new attorney to New York City, these roles helped me build a strong professional network, and I learned leadership skills and the critical aspects of running an organization. I was blessed with the guidance of NYWBA leaders every step of the way. Equally important as these professional contacts, I have made are the friendships I have developed with so many members and colleagues.

Assessing where we stand on advancing the status of women in the profession, I still fondly recall the time when the NYWBA sent me in 2009 to attend an international conference on gender and justice in Washington, D.C. I remember how I naively thought we need not worry as much about gender parity – after all, I work closely in the Civil Court of the City of New York with so many women judges and women attorneys. The conference opened my eyes to the strides yet to be made to achieve having more women in leadership positions – whether as partners in law firms, as tenured full professors and deans in U.S. law schools, in corporations and government offices, or in the higher levels of the Court system. In New York State, we have seen a growing number of women Justices serving on the Appellate Term and the Appellate Divisions of the Supreme Court, but this progress has varied widely in the different departments.

While progress has been made in gender equality, a wider representation of women in the higher echelons of our profession and heightened awareness of subtle forms of gender discrimination are still necessary. This is particularly relevant now in light of our changing legal employment market, which has adversely impacted new lawyers, minorities, and women. We need to be more aware and focused on ways to provide support to underrepresented groups in the profession. To echo Justice Sotomayor’s address at our Award Dinner, there is still an urgent need to mentor young women lawyers to achieve their professional goals and to foster the kind of change necessary to make this a truly equal society. I couldn’t agree more with our honoree.

On the subject of highly accomplished leaders, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann has completed two distinguished terms as President, and she has left us an Association with thriving Committees, soaring membership numbers, and free CLE programs for all members. I know I have big shoes to fill, but fortunately, I will have alongside me a talented and dedicated team of Officers, Directors, and Committee Chairs, as well as our distinguished Advisory Council – consisting of Past Presidents and members who served on our Board of Directors for more than 15 years. I shall rely on these past, current and future leaders as I take on the challenges of the office of President.

The Association was founded in 1934 and incorporated in 1935, so in 2014-2015 we will be celebrating our 80th anniversary! On September 30, we will kick off our anniversary celebrations at an Installation Dinner, where we will officially induct our 2014-2015 Officers, Directors and Delegates. The anniversary year will culminate with our 2015 Annual Dinner, and we will have several other celebratory events and articles throughout the year.

In the meantime, we will continue our mission to serve all of our members and develop CLE programs to provide substantive training as well as tools to prepare lawyers -- whether new or experienced, from small, medium or large firms, from the nonprofit, corporate, or judicial world -- to face the challenges and changes in our profession, and hopefully also to achieve a better work-life balance.

Speaking of nurturing and mentoring new attorneys, I am thrilled that we will again hold our annual “Summer Program” on “What It’s REALLY Like to Practice Law as a Woman” on July 15, 2014. Congratulations to Chairs Cassandra Porter and Victoria Turchetti and to the entire Summer Program Committee.

Let us continue working together as part of the NYWBA, which has created a natural environment where women support women, act as sounding boards, provide each other referrals and where there is a sense of a shared community. In this challenging and evolving legal world, this is ever so important.

Yacine




Archives

May 2014

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "Legacy and Transition".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

April 2014

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "Our Extraordinary Members".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

March 2014

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "NYWBA Reaches Major Milestone!".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

February 2014

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "Honoring Our Judiciary and Planning for the Future".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

January 2014

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "Our Struggling Family Courts".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

November 2013

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "A Busy Fall Season".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

October 2013

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "A Sense of Community".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

September 2013

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "An Exciting Year Ahead!".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

June 2013

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "A Time for Celebrating and Making Plans".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

May 2013

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "Reflecting on Our Extraordinary Year".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

April 2013

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "Fighting for Equality".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

February 2013

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "So Much To Celebrate!".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

January 2013

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "Happy New Year".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

November 2012

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "Strength in Numbers".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

October 2012

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "The Power of Membership".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

September 2012

In her President's Message, Hon. Jacqueline W. Silbermann titled her message "Our Important Mission".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

June 2012

In her President's Message, Patricia Ann Grant titled her message "Opportunities and Transitions".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

April 2012

In her President's Message, Patricia Ann Grant titled her message "Discrimination Against Women Continues".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

January 2012

In her President's Message, Patricia Ann Grant titled her message "A New Year".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

February 2011

In her President's Message, Gretchen Beall Schumann titled her message ""Growth, Education & Advancement".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

January 2011

In her President's Message, Gretchen Beall Schumann titled her message "Happy New Year!".
To view the President's Message in full, click here.

November - December 2010

In her President's Message, Gretchen Beall Schumann titled her message "Season's Greetings". To view the President's Message in full, click here.

October 2010

In her President's Message, Gretchen Beall Schumann titled her message "Harvest". To view the President's Message in full, click here.

September 2010

In her President's Message, Gretchen Beall Schumann titled her message "The Benefits of Sharing". To view the President's Message in full, click here.

June 2010

In her President's Message, Gretchen Beall Schumann titled her message "In Remembrance". To view the President's Message in full, click here.

May 2010

In her President's Message, Donna M. Praiss titled her message "Mothers and Role Models". To view the President's Message in full, click here.

April 2010

In her President's Message, Donna M. Praiss titled her message "Spring Cleaning". To view the President's Message in full, click here.

March 2010

In her President's Message, Donna M. Praiss titled her message "The Reality of Elder Care". To view the President's Message in full, click here.

February 2010

In her President's Message, Donna M. Praiss titled her message "Helping Hands". To view the President's Message in full, click here.

January 2010

In her President's Message, Donna M. Praiss titled her message "The New Life Balance ". To view the President's Message in full, click here.

December 2009

In her President's Message, Donna M. Praiss titled her message "Beyond Firsts". To view the President's Message in full, click here.

November 2009

In her President's Message, Donna M. Praiss titled her message "Finding Inspiration". To view the President's Message in full, click here.

October 2009

In her President's Message, Donna M. Praiss titled her message "Can I Give You A Hug?". To view the President's Message in full, click here.

June 2008

In her President's Message, Lisa A. Sokoloff titled her message "STAND UP FOR OURSELVES AND AMERICA". To view the President's Message in full, click here.

April 2008

In her President's Message, Lisa A. Sokoloff spoke about "Re-Evaluating A "Victimless" Crime". To view the President's Message in full, click here.

March 2008

In her President's Message, Lisa A. Sokoloff spoke about celebrating the women in our lives. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

February 2008

In her President's Message, Lisa A. Sokoloff spoke about continuing the struggle against gender bias. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

December 2007

In her President's Message, Lisa A. Sokoloff spoke about making 2008 the best year ever for the NYWBA. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

November 2007

In her President's Message, Lisa A. Sokoloff spoke about the summary of results from our first annual survey on the status of women working in Manhattan law firms. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

September 2007

In her President's Message, Lisa A. Sokoloff spoke about GENERATIVITY. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

June 2007

In her President's Message, Lisa A. Sokoloff spoke about how "Our Work is Not Done". To view the President's Message in full, click here.

May 2007

In her President's Message, Teresa Schiller reviewed this year's events. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

April 2007

In her President's Message, Teresa Schiller reflected on the importance of rainmaking. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

March 2007

In her President's Message, Teresa Schiller reflected on gender diversity in large law firms. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

February 2007

In her President's Message, Teresa Schiller reflected on lessons in humility. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

January 2007

In her President's Message, Teresa Schiller reflected on the benefits of dual membership in the Women's Bar Association of the State of New York. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

December 2006

In her President's Message, Teresa Schiller reflected on the importance of pro bono service. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

November 2006

In her President's Message, Teresa Schiller reflected on military wives as unsung military heroes.To view the President's Message in full, click here.

October 2006

In her President's Message, Teresa Schiller Teresa Schiller reflected on the importance of making our worlds larger again. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

September 2006

In her President's Message, Teresa Schiller Teresa Schiller reflected on the importance of building a network of women lawyers. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

July 2006

In her inaugural President's Message, Teresa Schiller reflected on the importance of community. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

Spring 2006

In her President's column in the Spring issue, President Christina Kallas discussed how women continue to lag behind men when it comes to earning power, and suggests that this is one more item for the legislature to address as it considers 'no-fault' divorce legislation. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

March 2006

For Women's History Month, Christina Kallas reflected upon how far we have yet to go. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

February 2006

In her column for February President Christina Kallas asked us to consider what it is we pay attention to in our culture. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

January 2006

In her column for January President Christina Kallas asked, "Do we (still) need a women's bar association?" To view the President's Message in full, click here.

December 2005

In her column for December President Christina Kallas discusses the Mental Health Court initiative. To view the President's message in full, click here.

November 2005

In her column for November President Christina Kallas asked us all to honor the memory of Ms. Rosa Parks by making one change. To view the President's message in full, click here.

October 2005

In her column for October in honor of Mediation Settlement Month, President Christina Kallas discusses whether mediation is an underused tool in a lawyer's toolbox. To view the President's message in full, click here.

September 2005

In her column for September, President Christina Kallas reflected upon the changes in our country since September 11th. To view the President's message in full, click here.

June 2005

In her column for June, President Christina Kallas discusses change and continuity. To view the President's message in full, click here.

April 2005

In her column in April, President Elizabeth Bryson talked about sexual politics and "women's work." She took issue with Harvard President Lawrence Summers' recent remarks implying that women are innately less suited to pursing careers in science or engineering. Such retrograde thinking is self-defeating. Mr. Summers had to apologize, and Harvard is now actively address the status of women in academia. Ms. Bryson also discussed upcoming events, including the Association's Annual Meeting, a CLE program on "Evolving Opportunities for Women' Lawyers," the Foundation's next fundraising breakfast, the WBASNY Convention, and of course our fantastic 70th Anniversary celebration on June 1st. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

February 2005

In her column in February, President Elizabeth Bryson talked about matters of life and death. She related the experiences of a friend fighting breast cancer and her mother and family addressing the loss of two brothers to AIDS several years ago, and how each circumstance, though very different, teaches us once again the importance of choosing to live life to its fullest every day. By contrast, she considers the proposal in the NYS Legislature to reinstate the death penalty, and WBASNY's brave stance in opposition. To view the President's Message in full, click here.

January 2005

In her column in January, President Elizabeth Bryson discussed the importance of taking steps to ensure that judges in New York have the appropriate qualifications and integrity to ensure the fair and equal administration of justice. She discusses pending legislation and proposed amendments to the Rules of Judicial Conduct that would have an influence on the method of selecting state court judges and the rules that would apply to candidates for judicial office in New York. Ms. Bryson was honored to chair a WBASNY Task Force to look at the proposed legislation and rule changes, and she discusses the process and proposals. She also describes the recent gala celebration WBASNY's 25 Anniversary and the wonderful presentation of the inaugural "Betty Weinberg Ellerin Mentoring Award" to Justice Ellerin. Finally, she reminds everyone of the importance of ensuring that their membership is renewed by January 31, 2005. New members are also welcome, and they can join for half-price dues starting in January! To view the President's Message in full, click here.

December 2004

In her column in December, President Elizabeth Bryson discussed the importance of speaking out and being heard. She demonstrated the value of the Association's screening of candidates for judicial office, particularly now, when the integrity of the judiciary is under attack. Because many of our members practice in solo and small firm settings, Ms. Bryson recommended that members appear before the Commission on Solo and Small Firm Practice, which is holding hearings and looking for comments, concerns and suggestions to make the lives of attorneys in these settings and their clients easier. Members should also plan to join us at several upcoming events that promise to be very exciting, including the NYWBA Foundation's Breakfast Series Speaker Event, a fundraiser scheduled for December 1st, WBASNY's 25th Anniversary Gala on December 2nd that will pay tribute to our own past President, the Honorable Betty Weinberg Ellerin, for her nearly 50 years of mentoring and service to women attorneys and judges throughout New York and across the country, and the New York Women's Agenda's Star Breakfast on December 7th. To view the President's message in full, click here.

November 2004

In her column in November, President Elizabeth Bryson celebrated all the wonderful programs and events that happened this fall, including our Annual Membership Reception. She also discussed the recent controversy with respect to screening the qualifications of candidates for judicial office in New York County, which became the subject of an article in the New York Law Journal. To view the President's message in full, click here.

September 2004

In her column in September, President Elizabeth Bryson asked members to join her in celebrating the Association's 70th Anniversary year (2004-05). Coincidentally, it was also the 25th anniversary year for the Women's Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY), which is the umbrella organization for all 16 women's bar associations across New York State. The NYWBA and its past President Joan Ellenbogen were instrumental in the formation of WBASNY, and it is a joy to see that it is flourishing. This is Beth's second term as President, and in her column she discussed the excitement of continuing programs begun last year and new programs that will begin this year. She also congratulated everyone who was involved in the wonderful year-end festivities, including our Annual Dinner and the WBASNY Convention. To view the President's message in full, click here.

April 2005

In her column for April, President Elizabeth Bryson congratulated several women who make history every day, including the 11 honorees designated for Women's History Month by the National Women's History Project and the New York City Commission on Women. She provided an update on the proposed rules that we have supported to allow asylum for women who are victims of domestic violence or other brutality that is directly or indirectly endorsed by their country's governments. Ms. Bryson also highlighted numerous upcoming events, including the NYWBA Annual Meeting and the Annual Ethics Forum, both in April, and the Women's Bar Convention in New Orleans and the NYWBA Annual Dinner, both in May. To view the President's message in full, click here. .

March 2004

In her March 2004 column, Ms. Bryson notes that NYWBA's membership has increased by over 33 percent from last year, and nearly 50% from two years ago. She praises the terrific work of NYWBA members, Officers, Board members, Committee Chairs, and others who worked on our membership drive and demonstrate why our bar association is so important, strong and vital. She also salutes two people who may not be lawyers but whose contributions are absolutely invaluable to the Association and the NYWBA Foundation - Executive Director Marta Toro and NYWBA Foundation member Denise Coleman. "Our Association is blessed with so many wonderful women and men who contribute their talents." To view the President's message in full, click here.

February 2004

In her February 2004 column, Ms. Bryson discussed the importance of mentoring and networking, especially for women attorneys. She also announces that the Association's Annual Meeting will be on April 28, 2004, when the 2004-05 officers and directors will be elected. Our gala Annual Dinner will be on May 26, 2004. At that event, awards will be presented to Linda Greenhouse, Pulitzer Prize winning author and New York Times reporter covering the U.S. Supreme Court, and the Hon. Jacqueline Silbermann, Administrative Judge of the NY County Supreme Court and Chief Administrative Judge for NYS Matrimonial Courts. To view the President's message in full, click here.

December 2003

In her December 2003 column, NYWBA President Elizabeth Bryson profiled important issues for our military, including the incidents of rape and sexual harassment at our military academies, the scourge of domestic violence, and the shameful track record of "don't ask, don't tell." She also discussed our exciting membership drive and the Reception Honoring Newly Elected and Appointed Judges. To view the President's message in full, click here.

November 2003

In her November 2003 column, NYWBA President Elizabeth Bryson discusses the importance and benefits of membership, as well as the recent visit of distinguished attorneys from Malaysia who were invited by the U.S. State Department to meet with NYWBA representatives. To view the President's message in full, click here.

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