NYWBA Annual Luncheon, May 21, 1949

NYWBA Annual Luncheon, May 21, 1949

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NYWBA Judicial Reception, March 3, 2022

NYWBA Judicial Reception, March 3, 2022

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NYWBA 2023 Annual Dinner, the inaugural recipient of the Amanda B. Norejko Award

NYWBA 2023 Annual Dinner, the inaugural recipient of the Amanda B. Norejko Award

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Ceremonial passing of the NYWBA gavel

Ceremonial passing of the NYWBA gavel

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NYWBA Membership Reception, October 5, 2023

NYWBA Membership Reception, October 5, 2023

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Schapiro Reception for Judge Richardson, January 19, 2024

Schapiro Reception for Judge Richardson, January 19, 2024

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NoBL Induction Ceremony

NoBL Induction Ceremony

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NYWBA Judicial Reception 2024

NYWBA Judicial Reception 2024

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MEMBERSHIP: JOIN OR RENEW TODAY

By joining the NYWBA, you become a member of a statewide network of attorneys and judges.  Membership in the NYWBA provides extraordinary opportunities and benefits.  Click here to learn more or join today.

President’s Message

I am honored and excited to serve as President of the New York Women's Bar Association for 2025-2026. I know I stand on the shoulders of the strong women who founded and led our organization, shaping it into the formidable force that it is today.

There is much work to be done. I look forward to working with all of you to advance our mission and to stand up for the principles our organization holds dear: the rule of law, equal justice for all, judicial independence, and women's rights--which include reproductive rights. ~ Lissett Costa Ferreira

Click here to read the President's Message from the most recent newsletter.

New York State Assembly Passes Supervised Visitation Act

The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (“WBASNY”), extends its gratitude to Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi for their leadership and dedication to The passage of A.65-A/S.3938-A, the “Supervised Visitation Act.” This important piece of legislation will establish a statewide supervised visitation initiative to support safe and structured parenting time when a court determines supervised visitation is in the child’s best interest, in matters such as custody, visitation and family offense proceedings.

It is important to note that currently there is no uniform, statewide system of supervised visitation that is supported by public funds and regulated to ensure safety and effectiveness outside of the child welfare context. At the Assembly’s December 2024 hearing, WBASNY’s 2024-2025 President, Marea L. Wachsman, Esq., delivered testimony highlighting the need for adequate funding and a framework to address the critical shortage of supervised visitation programs. Many New York counties lack a supervised visitation program. In those with access, most programs are significantly oversubscribed or are unaffordable and unsustainable for most families.

Click here to read the full press release.

2025 NYWBA ANNUAL AWARDS & INSTALLATION DINNER

Thank you for celebrating the New York Women’s Bar Association’s 2025 Annual Awards and Installation Dinner on June 9, 2025 at Tribeca 360.

The President’s Special Award was jointly presented to U.S. Representative Carolyn B. Maloney and Hon. Betty Weinberg Ellerin, along with Planned Parenthood of Greater New York and Safe Horizon.

Honoring Cecile Richards

The NYWBA mourns the passing of Cecile Richards on January 20, 2025. We honored Cecile at our 2016 Annual Dinner where she graciously accepted the NYWBA President’s Special Award for her work as then-President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and her zealous advocacy for reproductive rights and education.

Honoring Amanda B. Norejko

In August of 2024, the NYWBA sadly announced the untimely death of Amanda B. Norejko, our dynamic friend, Past President, Board Member and Committee Co-Chair.

In Amanda’s honor, we have created a webpage that is devoted to her memory. Click here to view this page.

Press Releases

June 26, 2025: New York State Assembly Passes Supervised Visitation Act

June 17, 2025: New York State Legislature Passes Legislation Supported by WBASNY

May 22, 2025:  WBASNY Wins the 2025 National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations Public Service Award

May 6, 2025:  WBASNY Strongly Supports Equal Access and Safety Within New York State Courthouses

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NYWBA Foundation

The NYWBA Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to eliminate gender bias and discrimination from the legal system and profession; to promote social and economic equality, safety, and well-being of women and children; and to address the unmet legal needs of women and children.

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WBASNY

NYWBA is a founding chapter of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York. WBASNY’s mission is to: Promote the advancement of the status of women in society and of women in the legal profession; to promote the fair and equal administration of justice; and to act as a unified voice for its members with respect to issues of statewide, national and international significance to women generally and to women attorneys in particular.

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JALBCA

JALBCA was founded by a small group of judges and lawyers who were all personally affected by breast cancer, either as survivors themselves or as family or close friends. Our mission is focusing on the intersection of the law and breast cancer, to leverage the legal community’s strength, passion, resources and expertise in the fight against breast cancer.

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