Women in Law Section

8:30 a.m.– 9:00 a.m.

Registration and Coffee Bar

9:00 a.m. – 9:05 a.m.

Welcome and Introduction

Speaker

Kaelyn E. Gustafson, Esq. | Chair, NYSBA Women in Law Section; Litigation & White Collar Criminal Defense Attorney Friedman Kaplan Seiler Adelman & Robbins LLP

9:05 a.m. – 9:35 a.m.

Keynote: Protecting Privacy in the Digital Age: Advocacy, Accountability & Women’s Health Data

Carol C. Villegas recently secured a landmark jury verdict holding Meta Platforms liable for the unauthorized recording and commercial use of sensitive women’s health data — a groundbreaking win for privacy, dignity, and accountability in the digital age. She will explore how evolving technology intersects with New Yorkers’ rights to safety, equality, and freedom from discrimination. She will also discuss how advocacy in its many forms has the potential to shape our careers, our rights, and our lives.

Speaker

Carol C. Villegas, Esq. | Partner | Labaton Keller Sucharow LLP

9:35 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.

Pregnancy and the Law: Understanding Rights and Protections Across All Outcomes

New York law provides broad protections to ensure that individuals who are or can become pregnant are treated with dignity and fairness. This panel will explore the full spectrum of pregnancy-related rights, from workplace accommodations and healthcare access to protections in the event of all pregnancy outcomes, including birth, stillbirth, miscarriage, and abortion. Panelists will discuss the current legal landscape in New York, recent developments expanding rights, and the implications of conflicting interstate legal frameworks regarding reproductive health care and autonomy for those seeking care across state lines. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how pregnancy protections intersect with employment, healthcare, privacy, civil and criminal procedure, and discrimination law — and practical tools to support clients and communities navigating these critical rights.

10:50 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Break

11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

LGBTQ+ Rights in New York: Defending Equality in a Changing Nation

New York has long stood at the forefront of advancing LGBTQ+ rights, offering some of the most comprehensive anti-discrimination protections in the nation. Yet even as state law continues to safeguard equality in employment, housing, healthcare, and family life, true safety and equality remain out of reach for many — both locally and across the country. This panel will examine the current state of LGBTQ+ rights in New York, recent legislative and judicial developments, and the broader national context shaping access to justice and equality. Panelists will explore key areas of focus including access to gender-affirming care, the resilience of marriage equality, protections for transgender and non-binary individuals, and the real-world implications of ongoing legal and political challenges. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how New York’s legal framework operates within a shifting national environment — and leave with practical tools to support, advise, and advocate for LGBTQ+ individuals facing discrimination or barriers to care.

12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Networking Luncheon and Presentation of Kay Crawford Murray Memorial Award

1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Age, Ability, and Caregiving: Ethics of Representation and Rights in New York

As New York’s population ages and caregiving demands continue to grow, attorneys must ensure they are meeting their professional responsibilities when advising clients affected by age discrimination, disability bias, or changing cognitive and health circumstances. This program will examine attorneys’ obligations under the New York Rules of Professional Conduct — including duties of competence, communication, confidentiality, and respecting client autonomy — when representing individuals navigating age-related challenges or disability accommodations, and when assisting caregivers seeking legal protections. Panelists will also highlight key legal frameworks that intersect with these ethical duties, including anti-discrimination laws, workplace rights, and healthcare access. Through practical guidance and examples, attendees will learn how to uphold professional standards, avoid bias, and ethically advocate for dignity, fairness, and informed decision-making on behalf of older adults, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers.

2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Break

3:00 p.m.– 4:00 p.m.

Navigating Rights and Resilience: Strategies for Legal and Emotional Wellbeing

Understanding and exercising your legal rights can feel overwhelming, especially when protections intersect across healthcare, employment, family, and personal life. This panel will address the emotional and practical challenges of navigating complex legal landscapes, with a focus on maintaining mental health, resilience, and self-advocacy. Panelists will explore strategies for managing stress and decision-making when confronting rights violations, and provide practical, actionable steps attendees can take to protect themselves or support clients. The discussion will also highlight tools for accessing legal, community, and mental health resources, and approaches for balancing advocacy with personal wellbeing.

4:00 p.m. – 4:10 p.m.

Business Meeting and Election of Officers

4:10 p.m.– 5:00 p.m.

Cocktail Reception