CELEBRATIONS
Greenwich-based law firm Whitman Breed Abbott & Morgan is welcoming Jevera Kaye Hennessey as a partner in its Trusts & Estates Department.
She is joining the law firm from Kaye and Hennessey in Greenwich.
“It is a privilege to welcome our friend and former colleague to the firm. Jevera’s deep knowledge of the law and her well-known commitment to client service and professionalism will enhance the firm’s ability to provide legal services to our clients, whether in the context of planning, estate and trust administration or probate litigation,” said Charlie Pieterse, co-managing partner at Whitman Breed.
“Years ago, I worked at the predecessor firm to WBAM, along with many of the same attorneys that I will now have the pleasure of working with again,” Hennessey said. “We have since collaborated on many projects, which speaks to the wonderful relationship we’ve maintained. I am excited to serve my clients at my new firm, and to offer them the broad legal service platform available at WBAM.”
Hennessey practices in all areas of estate and trust planning and administration and breaks down complex matters into digestible bites for her clients. She advises on estate and gift tax issues as well as creating documents to carry out her clients’ plans. For many years, she was a regular estate planning course instructor in the Town of Greenwich Continuing Education program.
Hennessey has also lectured on probate and estate planning topics through the Greenwich Bar Association, the Fairfield County Bar Association, Connecticut Bar Association, and other private groups.
“We are excited to have Jevera joining the firm. Jevera is an extremely talented trusts and estates lawyer who will provide additional depth and leadership to our Trusts & Estates Department. Jevera’s addition is yet another reminder of the firm’s continuing commitment to the Trust & Estate practice area,” said Kevin Walsh, Whitman Breed’s other co-managing partner.
Whitman Breed is a full-service law firm with a history dating back more than a century. The firm’s team of attorneys are advocates and advisers providing legal services to businesses and private clients across a broad range of practices and industries from their offices in Greenwich.
Tarrytown concert benefits Ukraine
“A Show of Caring — A Concert to Benefit Ukraine,” which was held at the Tarrytown Music Hall in Westchester County, N.Y., raised nearly $28,000 for charities providing humanitarian and medical aid to the citizens of Ukraine.
The event on March 27 entertained a sold-out audience of more than 700 with a poignant program of songs, visuals and stories reflecting the vibrant culture of the country that was invaded by Russia in late February.
A variety of musical genres was performed on a stage decorated with sunflowers, the national flower of Ukraine. Performers included pianist Irena Portenko; the 30-plus member Ukrainian Dumka Chorus of New York that was recently seen on “Saturday Night Live;” pianist Svetlana Gorokhovich; countertenor Jeffrey Palmer; and Metropolitan Opera bass Stefan Szkafarowsky.
Portenko opened the program with “Toccata,” a lively song by Arkady Filipenko, performed against a backdrop of photographer Jerome Strauss’ colorful aerial views of a peaceful Kyiv photographed before the war.
Bjorn Olsson, executive director of the Tarrytown Music Hall, then introduced U.S. Rep. Mondaire Jones, Westchester County Executive George Latimer, and Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner.
“My heart is heavy just like all of yours, and I’m very angry. But we should also be encouraged by the incredible strength we have seen the Ukrainian people summon, as well as the United States, leading not just our NATO allies but the rest of the free world to bring pressure down on Vladimir Putin and Russia. We’ve got a long way to go, but I sincerely believe that when all is said and done, Ukraine will be free,” said Jones, D-N.Y.
The Russian military has suppressed “the freedom of the people of Ukraine,” Latimer said.
“This concert reminded us that music is a universal language. All across this globe, music unites us, even if our languages are not the same. The people of Ukraine, desire the same thing we all do, freedom. We believe in freedom. We pray for the Ukrainian people, and we stand by them,” he said.
Feiner said it was probably the most inspiring event he has “ever attended as town supervisor.”
“I kept thinking that I want to do more to help. I am sure that others who attended the concert also left with a desire to do more for the cause,” he said.
The concert ended with cry of “Slava Ukraini!” which means “Glory to Ukraine!”
Portenko has established a fund to help musicians made homeless by the conflict at www.gofundme.com/f/help-support-displacedukrainian-musicians.
Purchase College honors five local students
Purchase College is celebrating the achievements of more than 1,250 students who have been named to the Dean’s List for the Fall 2021 semester, including five local students.
The honored students are Sophia Catalano, Ryan Fabacher and Aidan Flaherty, all of Greenwich; Andrew Alford of Riverside; and Kelsey Donovan of Old Greenwich.
Students in Bachelor of Arts and Science programs who earned this academic honor have maintained a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher. For Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Music Performance programs, a semester GPA of 3.75 is required.
Purchase College in Purchase, N.Y., is part of the State University of New York network.
Celebrating the birth of a new baby; a wedding or engagement; a high school or college graduation; or an honor at work? Send information on celebrations involving Greenwich people or places to gtcitydesk@ hearstmediact.com.