On March 30, 2026, at the New York State Judicial Institute, located on the campus of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University in White Plains, the Westchester County Bar Association will present its Multi-Bar Summit on Equity and Allyship, graciously hosted by the Judicial Institute.

This summit represents something special: leaders from across the legal profession and our broader community coming together with a shared purpose—to listen, to learn, and to strengthen the relationships that help our communities thrive.

This program reflects something I believe deeply: that the legal profession has a unique responsibility, not only to uphold the rule of law, but to help strengthen the fabric of the society it serves.

Why This Summit Matters

The legal profession occupies a unique place in our communities. Lawyers and judges stand at the intersection of law, policy, and human experience. Every day, we see how the rule of law protects rights, strengthens institutions, and helps communities thrive. We also see how dialogue, conducted with respect and sincerity, can bring people together in meaningful ways.

That is why this summit matters. It is about understanding. And understanding is where progress begins.

A Collaboration Across Communities

What makes this summit especially meaningful is that it is truly a collaborative effort.

Leaders and members of the Westchester County Bar Association, Westchester Black Bar Association, Hudson Valley Hispanic Bar Association, Justice Brandeis Law Society, Westchester Women’s Bar Association, Columbian Lawyers Association of Westchester County, and the Society of Irish American Lawyers have worked together to shape a program that reflects the experiences, perspectives, and aspirations of many different communities.

Each organization brings a distinct voice, and together those voices create something stronger: a shared commitment to understanding, equity, and lasting relationships.

That kind of collaboration grows when people show up, listen, and work together. And when that happens, the results can be extraordinary.

A Day of Important Conversations

The summit will explore a range of topics that are both timely and deeply relevant.

We will begin with a program on mental health and well-being in the legal profession, an issue that has rightly received growing attention in recent years, and one that speaks directly to the strength and sustainability of our profession. The practice of law is demanding, and lawyers are at their best when they are healthy, focused, and supported. Sustaining a resilient legal community benefits not only individual attorneys, but also the clients, courts, and institutions we serve. The program will offer practical insight and thoughtful discussion on how we can support one another and continue building a profession that is both effective and sustainable. 

We will then turn to a program examining the history of alliance and shared experiences between Black and Jewish Americans, and why it matters now more than ever. From the civil rights movement, including the involvement of Jewish leaders and lawyers in the formation and work of the NAACP, to partnerships in law, education, and public life, these communities have often stood together in pursuit of justice and equal opportunity. 

This conversation will explore both the history and the present, reflecting on what those partnerships have achieved and what they can teach us about building understanding, strengthening solidarity, and working together to meet the challenges of our time. It is a powerful reminder that when communities stand together, they can shape the course of history and open the door to meaningful change.

Another program will address immigration, contemporary civil rights, and constitutional law, examining how courts, lawyers, and scholars are navigating some of the most significant legal questions of our time. The program will explore recent litigation, constitutional principles, and the real-world impact of enforcement policies on individuals, families, and communities across our region and throughout the country, including many within the Latino community.

The discussion highlights not only the complexity of these issues, but also the essential role of the legal profession in safeguarding rights, ensuring due process, and strengthening confidence in our system of justice.

We will also examine protest rights and the First Amendment, with a focus on educating the public and the profession about what constitutes lawful protest and where the legal boundaries are drawn. This is a serious and timely subject, particularly in light of events over the last few years, during which demonstrations on a wide range of issues have drawn significant public attention and, at times, raised concerns about safety, intimidation, and the protection of constitutional rights for all involved. The program will provide practical guidance and legal clarity, helping lawyers and community members better understand both the rights the Constitution protects and the responsibilities that accompany them.

Finally, we will close with a fireside chat, “Where Do We Go From Here?,” bringing together leaders from the judiciary, law enforcement, and the civil rights community, including Hon. Joseph A. Zayas, Chief Administrative Judge of the New York State Unified Court System, Hon. Anne Minihan, Administrative Judge of the Ninth Judicial District, Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacase, and Tejash V. Sanchala, Esq., Executive Director of the Westchester County Human Rights Commission. Together, they will reflect on the themes of the day and the path forward in a highly interactive conversation that invites thoughtful audience participation. 

Each program stands on its own. Together, they reflect the many ways the legal profession serves the public, strengthens institutions, and supports vibrant communities.

The Power of Showing Up

One of the most meaningful lessons I have learned, both in my career and in my work with the Bar Association, is that opportunities to make a difference often begin with a simple decision: to show up. Showing up to meetings. Showing up to conversations. Showing up for one another.

The Multi-Bar Summit itself is the result of people showing up – leaders from different bar associations and organizations coming together, sharing ideas, and committing to work collaboratively. That spirit of partnership reflects the very best of our profession.

Stronger Together

There is a thought that has been on my mind as we prepare for this summit.

History shows us that progress is often achieved when communities come together around shared values and common purpose. When people who may seem different at first recognize what they share – fairness, opportunity, dignity, and respect – they create momentum that is stronger than any one group could achieve alone. 

In many ways, that is the story of our country, and it is also the story of the legal profession at its best. Courts, lawyers, and communities working together have shaped the course of civil rights, expanded access to justice, and strengthened public confidence in our institutions. 

That spirit of partnership is what this summit is about. It is about building understanding, strengthening relationships, and working together to serve the communities that rely on us every day. 

And it is a reminder that when people come together with purpose and goodwill, they have the power to make meaningful and lasting change.

An Invitation

I hope you will join us on March 30 at the Judicial Institute at Pace Law School, and we are grateful to the Judicial Institute and its Dean, Honorable Kathie E. Davidson, for hosting this important program.

The summit will offer a full day of CLE credits, along with breakfast, lunch, and a closing networking reception, providing opportunities not only to learn, but also to connect with colleagues and members of the broader legal community.

Come to learn. Come to listen. Come to be part of a conversation that matters. 

Registration is available on the Westchester County Bar Association website, and I encourage you to reserve your place.

Bar associations are, at their best, communities of professionals who believe in something larger than themselves; the rule of law, the pursuit of justice, and the responsibility to serve.

I look forward to seeing you on March 30, and to continuing the important work of building understanding and strengthening our communities together.