Welcome to the AWBA
Welcome to the website for the Adirondack Women's Bar Association (AWBA), a Chapter of the Women's Bar Association of the State of New York. The AWBA is a diverse group of private practitioners, judges, government attorneys, court officials, in-house counsel, and law students. Friends of the AWBA include non-attorneys in law-related professions, including paralegals.
ABOUT US
The Adirondack Women's Bar Association is a chapter of the Women's Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY).
WBASNY has a long and honored role in making life better for all women in society by advocating for equality and fair treatment of all women. The Association has long been in the forefront of changing laws in the areas of domestic violence, in achieving equity in marital dissolution, in achieving fairness in custody decisions, in the initiative against crimes of sexual violence, and in the initiative against sexual discrimination in employment. WBASNY will continue to be in the forefront of making policy on issues affecting women, children, and families.
WBASNY's MISSION IS TO:
Promote the advancement of the status of women in society and of women in the legal profession; promote the fair and equal administration of justice; and 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.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Katrin Falco
PRESIDENT
Hannah Hage
VICE PRESIDENT/PRESIDENT ELECT
Kathleen A. Nielson
SECRETARY
Damara Fredette
WBASNY DELEGATE
LEGISLATIVE CHAIR
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
Kara I. Lais
NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE
Douglas Gerhardt
JUDICIAL SCREENING
COMMITTEE
Margaret D. Stephenson
DIRECTOR AT LARGE
Brittnay McAvoy
TREASURER
Jenna Smith
AWARDS COMMITTEE
Janelle A. Pelli
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE
JUDICIAL SCREENING COMMITTEE
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CLINIC
In 2010, the Adirondack Women's Bar Association (AWBA), created the AWBA Legal Clinic to Aid Victims of Domestic Violence. The first clinic was held on November 16, 2010. That evening, six volunteer attorneys assisted six individuals. Each month, volunteer attorneys of all legal backgrounds meet with individuals referred from Wellspring and Catholic Charities of Saratoga, Warren & Washington Counties, to answer their questions about a variety of legal issues, which are indirectly related to the domestic violence issues they are facing, such as divorce, support, custody, tax, bankruptcy, foreclosure and landlord-tenant issues.
Award Winning Services
The AWBA is proud to have been recognized by the New York State Bar Association and New York Conference of Bar Leaders for its efforts in establishing and providing such valuable services to this northern community. In recognition of its efforts, the AWBA was awarded the 2011 Bar Leaders Innovation Award, which is awarded to bar groups whose innovative ideas come to fruition to establish successful programs in their communities.
Please Consider Volunteering
The Clinic provides assistance to survivors of domestic violence, but you do not need to have prior DV legal experience to volunteer. Our clinic provides in-house legal advice and guidance only. Volunteers do not represent attendees, but instead provide legal guidance, assist with filling out paperwork and provide legal and practical advice on a number of issues. Participants seek legal advice on ancillary matters, which may or may not have anything to do with the domestic violence they experienced. Issues which may be addressed include: (a) family court matters; (b) divorce; (c) estate matters; (d) tax matters; (e) real estate matters; (f) landlord/tenant matters; and (g) harassment at work.
The Clinic is held the third Wednesday of every month from 5-6pm, via phone call consults with survivors. Each session is approximately one half-hour. Follow up or representation of the participant is not required.
If you are interested in volunteering for the clinic, please contact us!
JOIN AWBA
Thank you for your interest in becoming a member of the Adirondack Women's Bar Association. As a Chapter of the Women's Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY), new members may join us by signing up for WBASNY membership and designating Adirondack as your Chapter.
Please click the "Join" button below.
GET IN TOUCH
We'd love to hear from you
email us at adirondack.womens.bar@gmail.com
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