Davidow Articles
Diversity - The Undeniable Connection
By
Hariklea D. Javaras & Wendy A. Lattibeaudiere, Winter
2010
What is the one element that all people in the world have in common?
What is the one characteristic that defines each and every human
being? It is the one undeniable connection that we all share -
diversity!
While all of us are unique and different in our own right – as a result of gender, religion, race, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and other human conditions -- it is precisely that uniqueness that unites all of us. Diversity can help to make us wiser, stronger, and more efficient in our jobs and our lives.
As our Suffolk County Bar Association President Ilene S. Cooper so eloquently put it in last month’s issue, “Diversity deepens our insight, increases our sensitivities, and heightens our sense of humanity.” If you understand your clients or colleagues, you not only know how you can reach them and help them, but you will also realize how much they in turn can help you.
Cultural awareness can make us better lawyers. Those of us who have culturally diverse clients may not realize that there may be certain times when it would be disrespectful to discuss business. It would be improper to contact our Greek American client, for example, to ask if she has collected her late father’s bank accounts 40 days after his death because that is usually the time when a church memorial takes place to mourn the loss of a loved one. It would be insensitive to ask our Jewish American clients to meet to sign a tax during Chanukah because he might be celebrating with his family. And it could be inconsiderate to schedule a real estate closing for a single working parent at 2:30 pm on a weekday when children need to be picked up from the school bus.
Such bits of information can and do regularly improve your role as a lawyer, a judge, a parent, and a friend. No matter what hat you may be wearing at the time, whether it is a member of the PTA or on the board of your parish council, exposure to and understanding of diversity will help you excel at whatever you do. All we have to do is recognize it, embrace it, and celebrate it! That is exactly what the newest addition to the Suffolk County Bar Association, the Diversity Committee, does.
Apart from educating our members and their communities, our goal is to spread a message: we are all different; we can learn so much from one another, and we are stronger and can do more good together than any one of us can alone. Interacting socially with our diverse members advances dialogue, friendships, and networking connections, and it is through these connections that we ultimately promote more diversity!
We all have a story to tell. Focusing on diversity in the legal community and beyond, our future events will provide an open forum for distinguished speakers and guests to share their trail blazing stories of achievements, ideals, and visions to create diversity within our Bar. In a time where the cultural demographics of our communities are rapidly changing, it is important that we take the time to listen to the stories of those who have paved the way before us, those who have made their mark and continue to do so. More important, these are the stories that will illustrate the truly undeniable connection between us all.
In furtherance of our mission to promote and advance diversity initiatives, the Diversity Committee is working diligently to host various programs and events for the 2010 calendar year. We hope you enjoyed the Meet and Greet event we had at Four, you are going to love the upcoming events we have planned! These events will provide us opportunities to experience a variety of diverse cuisines, music and ideals as we mingle, socialize and network with friends, colleagues and leaders in the community.
As you all know, Haiti was recently hit by a devastating earthquake, and because of the lack of resources and poor infrastructure in the region, immediate fundraising efforts are vital in providing assistance to the thousands of Haitians in need. You can donate now to http://www.redcross.org or http://www.yele.org, and United Way and Salvation Army locations are accepting goods and clothing. Your assistance, ideas and support for further relief efforts are welcome and encouraged.
This is only the beginning. In an effort to promote the benefits of diversity amongst us, the Diversity Committee is here to serve you; with your input we can accomplish the SCBA’s commitment to improve the quality and benefits of being a member. Let us know what issues or suggestions on advancing diversity you would like addressed at the SCBA. What programs, events, or continuing legal education courses would you like the SCBA to offer? Please direct suggestions to Diversity Committee Co-Chairs Bronwyn Black at bronwyn1@optonline.net and Luis Pagan at luisapagan@verizon.net. And for more information on Diversity Committee membership and events, be sure to continually check the SCBA website for updates.
Note: Hariklea D. Javaras is an associate at Davidow, Davidow, Siegel & Stern, LLP, with offices in Islandia, Garden City, and Mattituck. Her areas of practice include Probate and Trust & Estate Administration, Elder Law, Estate Planning, Estate Tax, Business Law, Real Estate, Medicaid, and Guardianship. She also worked at the New York State Law Revision Commission, where she assisted in researching and drafting the recently passed 2009 legislation amending New York State’s General Obligations Law on Durable Powers of Attorney. Lilia is licensed to practice in New York and New Jersey, and is a member of the Trusts & Estates Section of the New York State Bar Association and is a member of the Elder Law Committee, Surrogate’s Court Committee, and Diversity Committee of the Suffolk County Bar Association. Contact her at (631) 234-3030 or hjavaras@davidowlaw.com.
Wendy A. Lattibeaudiere is a recent graduate of Hofstra University School of Law, and an associate at the Law Offices of J. Stewart Moore, P.C. in Central Islip. She practices in the fields of Family Law, and Civil and Criminal Litigation. Wendy is a member of the Diversity Committee of the Suffolk County Bar Association and can be reached at (631) 234-3111 or wlattiesq@ yahoo.com.
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