Women Lawyers in Bergen (WLIB)

We are a dynamic community committed to educating, advocating, networking, and supporting women in the legal profession, located in Bergen County, NJ

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Women Lawyers in Bergen in Action

Jean Robertson Scholarship Fund

WLIB created and funded the Jean Robertson Scholarship Fund which in the last 35 years has given yearly $2500 scholarships to deserving female law students, totaling over $100,000.

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WLIB Mentorship Program

The mission of WLIB Mentorship Program is to support, guide, and inspire women in the legal profession by connecting them with experienced mentors. Our unique program is designed to foster meaningful relationships that empower women to excel in their legal careers.

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Susan Lucianna Breast Cancer Fund

We have begun partnering with the Susan Lucianna Breast Cancer Fund, a local non profit helping breast cancer patients with quality of life needs. We hosted a RALLY AGAINST BREAST CANCER last October outside the courthouse which raised over $7500 for the charity.

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Law Clerks’ Reception & Luncheon

WLIB hosts a reception every fall for the BERGEN COUNTY judges, law clerks and membership so everyone can get to know each other.

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Donations to the Shelter

WLIB passionately gathers generous donations for the shelter during the holiday season, spreading warmth and hope to those in need.

WLIB Member spotlight

Beverly Williams, Esq.

Beverly Williams is a long-time member of WLIB having been a staunch participant in SWAG (Seasoned Women’s Attorney Group) and writing articles for the WLIB Newsletter. Her background and career trajectory are fascinating.

Beverly grew up in a union household, and the labor movement became part of her DNA. Her father was an AFL-CIO staffer, a union president, and a Steelworker. Her mother was a member of the Communication Workers of America. Dinner discussions often involved what had happened on the job or in labor negotiations. To her father’s chagrin, yet pride, Beverly became a management-side labor attorney. Before she was an attorney, she was negotiating successor agreements for management, and her brother was crossing the picket line as an outside vendor’s management employee. Family gatherings were tense.

Tamra Katcher, Esq. — Tamra Katcher
PRESIDENT

SHEILA O’SHEA CRISCIONE — Sheila O’Shea Criscione
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT

Erica L. Fields, Esq. — Erica Fields
TREASURER

Valerie Vladyka WLIB Secretary — Valerie Vladyka
SECRETARY

Young Lawyers Corner

The Young Lawyers Committee of Women Lawyers in Bergen meets on the 1st Wednesday of every month. Each meeting is hosted by one of the members.

If anyone would like additional information including the location of the next meeting or are interested in joining the Committee, please contact Alexandra L. Quirke, Esq. at aquirke@mfmclaw.com.

Women Lawyers in Bergen Upcoming Events:

Date/Time	Event
01/29/2026 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm	Time Management for Healthy Living - VIRTUAL EVENT
06/22/2026 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm	The 50th Anniversary of WLIB Season’s, Township Of Washington New Jersey

Read the latest news

By Tamra Katcher

In NEWSLETTER

Posted January 22, 2026

President’s Message, Winter 2026

Happy New Year to our members, family, friends, and colleagues. Time has flown since our last newsletter. I always feel like we hit November and we quickly run through the rest of the year in the [...]

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WLIB Announcements

WLIB, Pashman Stein Walder Hayden, P.C., and Susan Payne and Associates jointly sponsored a highly informative luncheon CLE program on May 29, 2025, “Plan Well, Age Well: The Power of LongTerm Care Planning.” The event, held at the offices of Pashman Stein, was well attended and sparked lively discussion. The excellent speakers addressed the myriad concerns this issue raises for lawyers both personally and professionally. We thank the sponsors for offering this event.

WLIB members Steven Morey Greenberg, Esq. and Linda F. Spiegel, Esq. presented a WLIB CLE entitled “HELP! A Loved One’s Sudden Medical Emergency” with Jewish Home Family President and CEO, Carol Silver Elliot on May 7, 2025. It was eye opening to hear Ms. Elliott speak about the Jewish Home Family shelter for abused elders and the free services provided to assist them. The Jewish Home Family sponsored the CLE and provided a free dinner to the attendees. We thank the Jewish Home Family for their hospitality

Condolences to our member, friend and former WLIB President, Judge Nina Remson, who lost her mother, Barbara Remson, on July 13, 2025. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to the Friends of Glen Rock Arboretum, Inc. (Thielke Arboretum).

Congratulations to Linda F. Spiegel, Esq. who was appointed Chair of the American Bar Association, Senior Lawyers Division, Alternate Dispute Resolution Committee for the 2025-2026 year. Linda has been the Co-Chair of the BCBA’s ADR Committee since 2014. She has been a panelist with American Arbitration Association (AAA) since 1988 serving on their Commercial, Construction and Consumer panels. Linda was chosen as AAA arbitrator for Super Storm Sandy cases, and has served on over 1,000 matters, including arbitrations and mediations, for the AAA. In addition to Linda’s long term membership with WLIB (since its inception) and BCBA (since 1978), she is also a director of the New Jersey Association of Professional Mediators and a member of the Executive Committee of the Justice Marie Garibaldi American Inn of Court for ADR.

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