Vestry Laight Partners with Human Rights Watch on U Visa Report

A report authored by Sara Darehshori with Human Right Watch, “We Need U”: How the U Visa Builds Trust, Counters Fear, and Promotes Community Safety, examines how current immigration enforcement tactics undermine both protection for undocumented crime survivors and the prosecution of crimes. The U visa was created to help combat gender-based violence, recognizing that undocumented women and children are especially vulnerable to abuse.

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Vestry Laight Welcomes Suzette Ramirez-Carr and Elana Sigall

Vestry Laight welcomes consultants and experts Suzette Ramirez-Carr and Elana Sigall to the team! Suzette is a transformational HR leader, strategist and former CHRO in finance, entertainment and higher education. Elana is a preeminent expert in educational policy and legal matters, including sexual misconduct as well as education issues in religious communities.

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Brande Stellings Speaks at the Power the Pipeline Conference at the NYC Bar

Brande Stellings participated on a panel regarding the current state of diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, hosted at the NYC Bar by its Office for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging for its Third Annual Power the Pipeline conference. Natalie Holder moderated the panel, including panelists Katherine Greenberg, Christina Joseph and Sandra Pullman.

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Brande Stellings Serves as Faculty at DirectWomen Board Institute

Brande Stellings was honored to participate as faculty at the DirectWomen Board Institute in October 2025 with an outstanding class of board-ready General Counsels and law firm partners. Brande moderated a panel discussion with DirectWomen alumnae, featuring Karen Narwold, Maria Green, Stacy Kanter and Nora LaFreniere.

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Silda Palerm’s Next Chapter

After nearly six years of rewarding work at Vestry Laight, co-founder and principal Silda Palerm is moving into a new role as Strategic Advisor. This move allows her to stay connected with Vestry Laight in a different capacity – offering strategic counsel and insights as needed -- while stepping away from day-to-day operations to make more space for life beyond work. Silda remains committed to advancing women’s rights and gender equity, a role she has played on many non-profit boards and as the former Chair of the Mayor’s Commission on Gender Equity for New York City. Vestry Laight looks forward to partnering with her on meaningful opportunities as they arise.

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Brande Stellings at the London Stock Exchange

Brande Stellings joined DirectWomen to ring the closing bell at the London Stock Exchange on June 18, 2025 to celebrate 200+ corporate board appointments of DirectWomen alumnae. She moderated a panel discussion, “Cracking the Code: What Companies Really Want in a Director,” for an audience of General Counsels, law firm partners and other senior executives.

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Sara Darehshori Speaks at Cornell Law School

On March 25th, Sara Darehshori delivered a presentation, “Accountability for Sexual Abuse in 2025?” at Cornell Law School as part of the Berger International Speaker Series. The audience consisted of students and professors. The discussion covered different approaches to reforming outdated institutional response to sexual misconduct in settings ranging from the military and police to Olympic sports and universities.

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Celebrating Silda Palerm’s Decade of Leadership for NYC’s Women and Girls

After 10 years of service, Silda Palerm stepped down from New York City’s Commission on Gender Equity. Vestry Laight congratulates Silda on her efforts — including serving as Chair of the Commission on Gender Equity — to make NYC a more equitable place for women and girls. Although her time on the Commission has come to an end, Silda’s dedication to advancing opportunities and protections for women and girls everywhere remains steadfast. There is still much work to be done.

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Vestry Laight Issues Report on Athlete Safety for United States Biathlon

Following a targeted assessment of policies and perceptions around safety measures, Vestry Laight issued a report outlining recommendations for the US Biathlon Association to enhance the safety of athletes who travel internationally and strengthen team culture. Vestry Laight appreciates USBA’s willingness to undergo an external review and its commitment to implementing reforms. We are also grateful to the members of biathlon community who participated in the investigation and shared their perspective with us.

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