New York State Trial Lawyers Association honors Judges Rivera and Spodek at Women In Law reception

The Women’s Caucus of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association (NYSTLA) gathered at Manhattan Penthouse on Thursday in front of a standing-room-only crowd to honor two trailblazing women in law: Judge Jenny Rivera and Judge Ellen Spodek.

Trial Lawyers President David Scher and President-elect Victoria Wickman hosted the event where Rivera, the second Hispanic woman to serve on New York’s highest court, talked about her mother and immigrant roots.

“A person like myself, born poor on the Lower East Side to migrant parents, I was not meant to have this life, but I’m very grateful I was able to make that possible. But as you know, that is not true for many people today, and frankly, that is not how it should work. The story my mother was told and that she believed in was that she wouldn’t have much but that her children would have more — that’s true — and her children’s children would have more.

“But it’s not necessarily true for people who come with the same story. It’s harder and harder to replicate my story, not because I’m so unique, but because we should keep those doors open for everyone else. So that’s why it’s important you keep working towards opening those doors, and when there are judges from someplace else, from the SCOTUS, who decide that there are certain doors that need to be closed or at least shut and barred, then you’re going to say we’re not going to do that, we’re not going to put up with that, and we’re going to keep the doors open.

“For all of us, we’re always better when we lift someone else up,” said Rivera. 

“I am a trial lawyer because of the trailblazers who fought to be the first women in law school, the first women lawyers, and the first women judges — their examples provided the inspiration and representation that created and illuminated a path for women to labor in law,” said Victoria Wickman, President-Elect of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association. “The exemplary careers of our esteemed awardees, the Hon. Jenny Rivera and the Hon. Ellen Spodek, and the outstanding work of Lenore Kramer and so many other strong, brilliant and successful women in this room are a beacon to us and the young women who will come after us.”

“It is a great honor to address The Women’s Caucus of New York State Trial Lawyers Association and acknowledge the profound influence and enormous achievements of our honorees and attendees,” said David Scher, President of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association. “Civil justice is the cornerstone of our democracy and there can be no doubt that our legal system and our democracy are stronger and more equitable because of the wisdom, insights and efforts of women in law. There could be no finer example of these principles than the inspirational careers and exceptional contributions of our honorees, the Hon. Jenny Rivera and the Hon. Ellen Spodek. Their work inspires and informs me and so many of us here tonight.”