A New Chapter for Lawyer Wellness

On May 15, I had the honor of being sworn in as President of the Westchester County Bar Association at our 125th Annual Gala. What made the night especially meaningful was being introduced by my daughter, Reese. Her remarks were heartfelt and unfiltered—the kind that stay with you. She spoke about what it meant to grow up with a parent who worked long hours but always showed up.

It was one of the proudest moments of my life.

As WCBA President, one of my top priorities is to support and elevate the voices of underrepresented and overextended groups within our community—including lawyers who are caregivers, whether to children, aging parents, or both. So, I was especially moved when two days later, I received a message from three exceptional WCBA members who had been in the room that night. They told me how much Reese’s introduction, and the themes of the evening, resonated with them. They reflected on how their early involvement with the WCBA helped them form something rare and lasting —not just professional connections, but deep friendships rooted in shared experience. And they spoke candidly about what it is like to juggle a legal career while also serving as caregivers— whether raising children or supporting elderly family members.

They were not just sharing challenges. They were raising thoughtful questions about how our profession can better support lawyers who are also caregivers, and they were offering ideas for real solutions.

That outreach sparked the creation of the WCBA Working Parents Subcommittee, housed under our Attorney Wellness Committee. The goal was simple but powerful: to create space for lawyers who are balancing the demands of practice with the equally demanding responsibilities of parenting and family caregiving, and to recognize that their experience deserves visibility, respect, and support.

The group held its first meeting in June, and the energy in that room was clear: this was a conversation that needed to happen. Members opened up about their daily challenges, shared strategies and frustrations, and, perhaps most importantly, found a sense of community. 

Then, on Sunday, September 28, the Subcommittee hosted its first event: the WCBA Family Fun Day at V.E. Macy Park in Ardsley.

It was a laid-back afternoon filled with kids, snacks, playgrounds, and connection. The turnout was strong, and the feedback was even stronger. For many attendees, this was the first time they had attended a bar event that truly included their families—not just in spirit, but in structure. The message was simple but powerful: we see you, and you belong here.

Too often, the legal profession equates dedication with constant availability. We schedule evening meetings without a second thought. We celebrate those who stay the latest or respond the fastest. And we rarely pause to consider how those expectations land on people who are quietly managing a second (and often third) full-time job when they leave the office.

But let us be clear: working parents are not less committed, they are carrying more.

They are reviewing briefs after bedtime, negotiating deals between daycare pickups, and keeping up with client demands while planning birthday parties, managing doctor’s appointments, and helping with homework. And they do it all with remarkable focus, resilience, and little recognition.

If we want to retain talent, foster equity, and promote wellness in our profession, we need to make space for this reality.

The Working Parents Subcommittee is one way the WCBA is doing that. It is a space for programming, connection, and advocacy. There are more events to come: from wellness-focused discussions to practical strategies and informal networking opportunities.

What makes me the proudest is that this initiative did not come from a committee assignment or a formal directive. It came from members who saw a need, raised their voices, and made something happen.

As I think back to the moment Reese introduced me at the Gala, I realize this work—this effort to support working parents—is an extension of that moment. It is a reflection of what it means to truly show up for your family, your profession, and your community. And it is a reminder that our connections through the WCBA, like the friendships that inspired this initiative, can lead to something deeper. When we create space for honesty, for shared experience, and for one another, we do not just build a better bar association, we build a stronger profession.

The WCBA and I are proud to lead on this issue, and I invite every member—whether you are navigating these challenges yourself or simply want to be part of the solution—to join us. We are building something meaningful, and we are just getting started.