Take Note of These Seven Alumnae Named to an Esteemed Crain’s List
Brooklyn Law School was well represented on Crain’s “Notable Women in Law ” list, with seven alumnae featured in the business publication’s annual homage to top New York City female attorneys who are not only excelling in their respective areas of law but also helping to further justice beyond their positions as partners in their respective firms.
Crain’s, which published the list on July 20, selects women with at least a decade of experience who are at a senior level within a New York City metropolitan area law firm and who have also performed “consequential legal or pro bono work, served as mentors, promoted inclusivity, or assumed leadership roles in civic or philanthropic endeavors.”
Our congratulations to the following alumnae who made this esteemed list.
RoseAnn Branda ’84, executive partner and co-director of the family and matrimonial law department at Abrams Fensterman, is credited as an expert in her field as well as for working on a pioneering online consensual divorce program to help low-income New Yorkers. She also serves as a representative of the Second District on the executive committee of the family law section of the New York State Bar Association and has recently collaborated with Mayor Eric Adams’ Advisory Committee on the Judiciary.
Amy Cococcia ’98, a partner at Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, provides guidance and solutions regarding multijurisdictional compliance matters. “By working with immigration and business professionals in helping skilled refugees connect with employers, Cococcia also provides individuals with equitable employment opportunities,” reports Crain’s.
Harriet Newman Cohen ’74, a founding partner at Cohen Stine Kapoor, handles all aspects of marital law including litigation, and provides representation in contested trials and settlements as a negotiator and trial attorney. In 2022, the Wisconsin Association for Justice presented her with an award and featured her as a keynote speaker. She is on the board of directors for The Lotos Club, a literary and arts club in New York City founded by Mark Twain among others, and the Stecher and Horowitz Foundation, a nonprofit that supports and inspires young musicians. Cohen is active at Brooklyn Law School, including as 2020 Alumna of the Year, and recently presented her grandson Jacob Hirsch ’23 his J.D. at our 2023 commencement ceremony.
Elizabeth Columbo ’94, a partner at Nixon Peabody, specializes in serving clients in public infrastructure projects with an emphasis on public power, transportation, multi-family housing facilities, as well as stadiums and arenas. Columbo prepares wills for low-income cancer patients, assists with private placement adoptions, and works on name changes for transgender individuals as part of her pro bono work. She received the Jeremy G. Epstein Award for Outstanding Pro Bono Service Due for her work with the City Bar Justice Center’s Cancer Advocacy Project.
Dyan Finguerra-DuCharme ’96, a partner and co-chair of the trademark group at Pryor Cashman, manages trademark and copyright portfolios for clients such as Richemont, Honda, L’Oréal, and Natura & Co., and is considered a go-to lawyer for trademark, trade dress, false advertising, and copyright disputes, with a focus on the beauty, fashion, and luxury spaces. She is co-chair of the firm’s women’s leadership initiative and is a member of various boards including the New York County Lawyer’s Association. She was selected for the women’s roll of honor for the town of North Hempstead and honored by the Parent Resource Center at its 2020 gala.
Stephanie Lehman ’96, a partner at Phillips Nizer, heads up the firm’s New York/New Jersey metro family law practice, representing clients in matters such as divorce, pre- and postnuptial agreements and fertility law, a cutting-edge area of the law that includes cases involving egg donation, intended parenthood, surrogacy, frozen embryos, and private and third-party adoption. A regular commentator in the media on family law matters, she also develops her young associates as attorneys by coaching them in business development and other areas.
Julie Schechter ’09, a partner at Armstrong Teasdale in its finance and real estate services practice group, focuses on the representation of boards of cooperative corporations and condominium buildings. In addition, Schechter has been a camp counselor at Camp Erin NYC, a national bereavement program for youth, for the past decade, and volunteers her legal services to CitySquash, a nonprofit after-school enrichment program.