CHENANGO – Local attorneys from Delaware, Chenango and Otsego Counties recently formed the Del-Chen-O Women’s Bar Association, a chapter of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY). The Del-Chen-O Women’s Bar Association supports organizations and causes that advance the status and progress of women in society. Part of the chapter’s mission is to encourage the education of lawyers and to promote improvement in the administration of justice.
The Del-Chen-O Chapter presented its first continuing legal education program in June at the Foothills Performing Arts Center in Oneonta. The program was a mock meeting of the Committee on Professional Standards from the Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department. The program was presented by Monica Duffy, the Chief Attorney for the Committee on Professional Standards in the Third Department, along with four other staff attorneys. The speakers explained the disciplinary process for attorneys in New York State and then reviewed several mock disciplinary cases, using the audience as voting committee members. The panelists were very informative and the discussions were lively. The program was well-attended by many attorneys and judges from Delaware, Chenango and Otsego Counties, including Justice Elizabeth A. Garry, Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department; Hon. Molly R. Fitzgerald, Administrative Judge of the Sixth Judicial District; Hon. Gary A. Rosa, Delaware County Family Court Judge; Hon. Lucy P. Bernier, Oneonta City Court Judge; and Chenango County District Attorney Joseph A. McBride.
Following the continuing legal education program, the Hon. Molly R. Fitzgerald administered the oath of office to each of the founding officers of the Del-Chen-O Women’s Bar Association: Kathleen S. Campbell, President; Renee Albaugh, Vice President; Larisa Obolensky, Treasurer; Norene Palmer, Secretary; and Laura Parker, WBASNY delegate. The chapter also appointed its committee chairs: Justice Elizabeth A. Garry, continuing legal education; Nettie Jean Scarzafava, judicial screening; Beth E. Westfall, awards; and Sarah Cohen, nominations. In addition, Susan Lettis will serve as the legislative chair.
The members were honored to have WBASNY Immediate Past President Andrea Composto, Vice President Deirdre Hay and Vice President Greta Kolcon travel from various areas in New York State to join them for the induction ceremony.
On October 6, 2016, a dinner reception to honor three women attorneys for their contributions to the law, one from each of the counties, will be held at The Silo Restaurant in Greene. The President of the Women's Bar Association of the State of New York will be attending. The honorees are Nancy Deming, MaryJo Long and Patricia Pantaleoni.
The Del-Chen-O Women’s Bar Association members are enthusiastic about the new chapter and look forward to other education and community programs in the future. If you are aware of a community organization in the Delaware, Chenango, or Otsego County area that could benefit from the Del-Chen-O Women’s Bar Association, please email DelChenO@yahoo.com.