Bay Ridge Lawyers Association delayed holiday party a big success

January 18, 2018 By Rob Abruzzese, Legal Editor Brooklyn Daily Eagle

The Bay Ridge Lawyers Association hosted one of its most successful holiday parties in years this week by holding it nearly a month after Christmas. Pictured from left: Ray Ferrier, BRLA President Margaret Stanton and immediate past President Stephen Spinelli. Eagle photos by Rob Abruzzese

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The collegiality amongst Brooklyn’s legal community often has a positive impact on many areas of the court and the law, however, it can make the holidays quite hectic as every bar association, law firm and courthouse hosts its own holiday party.

In order to avoid conflicting with other groups’ schedules, the Bay Ridge Lawyers Association (BRLA) decided to change things up and hosted its annual Holiday Party/Judges Night on Wednesday night at Encore on Fourth Avenue in Bay Ridge.

“When trying to pick a date, every day conflicted with something else which is always the case with the Christmas parties,” said BRLA President Margaret Stanton. “It was brought up at a board meeting that we should try January and we figured that if it worked it would be great, but otherwise we could always go back to December.”

The switch certainly worked out as the group garnered at least as many guests as it did in years past and then a few extra attorneys and judges who hadn’t made it to Bay Ridge in years.

“We’ve seen people that you don’t normally see here, lots of spouses. I think it’s worked out really well,” Stanton said. “We’re very happy with the turnout. People didn’t run out the door earlier, either, because they weren’t rushing off to another event.”

BRLA still marked the Christmas season this year when it hosted its inaugural Breakfast with Santa event at the Fort Hamilton Army Base last month. That event, which was open to the public and attracted a few local politicians, was also a big success, and allowed BRLA to continue its annual Toys for Tots tradition where they collect toys for the children of the soldiers living on the base.

There were no speeches on Wednesday night except for a brief greeting from the Stanton and Ray Ferrier, chair of the BRLA judiciary committee, acknowledged the judges in attendance.

“I think we could see this become a tradition,” said Stanton, who noted that continuing with the Breakfast with Santa and the late-holiday party will be up to the next president to decide. “Everybody is so busy during the holidays, but this still gives our members a chance to get together in a setting which is more social than educational. There is no better way to get to know each other, to bond, and to get to know the judges as well.”

BRLA will still host this month’s meeting on Jan. 31. It will start at 6 p.m. at its usual location at the Pearl Room. Past President Andrea Bonina will be the main speaker.