1. Real Property Law (RPL) Section 424–Basics on Transfer on Death Deeds (TODD), and

2. Supported Decision Making as an Alternative to Guardianship

About the Speakers:

Hon. Brandon R. Sall
Surrogate, Westchester County

Surrogate Sall graduated from the University of Miami in 1982, and thereafter from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in 1985. From October 2014 until he became Surrogate in June 2015, Judge Sall was formerly the managing member of the White Plains law firm of Sall, Geist, Schwarz & Jellinek, PLLC. Prior to that, Judge Sall was a partner in Sall & Geist from 2012 to 2014. Prior to the formation of Sall & Geist in January 2012, Judge Sall was a partner in Schuman & Sall from 1992 to 2002 and of counsel to the Yonkers law firm of Rabin, Panero and Schuman from November 1988 to July 1992. Additionally, until June, 2015, Judge Sall was a partner in the White Plains law firm, Gellert & Rodner, which specializes in tax certiorari matters.

Judge Sall specialized in trusts and estates and real estate law and had a significant transactional and litigation practice. In 2002, Judge Sall became general counsel to the Westchester County Public Administrator and served until June, 2015.

From 2008 to 2015, Judge Sall was a board member of the New York State Thruway Authority and served as the chairman of the Blue Ribbon Selection Committee that chose the winning bidder for the Tappan Zee Hudson River Crossing.

In May, 2015, Judge Sall was appointed by the Hon. Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York, as Surrogate of Westchester County and was thereafter elected Surrogate of Westchester County in November, 2015.

In 2018, Judge Sall became a member of the Statewide ADR Advisory Committee, which has been tasked with formulating policies for the implementation of ADR throughout the court system in New York State.

Judge Sall is a member of the New York State Bar Association and the Westchester County Bar Association as well as the Trusts and Estates sections of the New York State Bar Association and Westchester County Bar Association.

Jean Partridge
Chief Counsel & Managing Member, Benchmark Title Agency LLC

Jean Partridge is a highly respected title insurance attorney with almost 40 years of experience in the title insurance industry. Her career began while she was still in law school, working at L & H Abstract Corporation, which later merged with First American Title Insurance Company of New York.

Throughout her tenure at First American, Jean held significant positions including Senior Vice President, Branch Counsel, and member of the Board of Directors.

In 2005, Jean and Tom DeCaro co-founded Benchmark Title Agency, LLC, where she continues to serve as a principal. She is committed to providing exceptional service to clients and ensuring they have access to current accurate information in real estate and title matters. Jean holds leadership positions in the New York Land Title Association, (having served as President from 2020 – 2021), she also maintains affiliations with several other professional organizations such as the New York State Bar Association, Westchester County Bar Association, and Women’s Bar Association of Westchester County, among others.

Jean's dedication to staying updated with industry trends is demonstrated by her active involvement in professional organizations and her frequent participation as a speaker on real estate matters. Her expertise is recognized through her AV rating for legal ability and ethical standards by Martindale-Hubbell peer review. Additionally, she is certified by the New York State Department of Financial Services as a 'Broad Scope Instructor', enabling her to provide Continuing Education credits on title insurance matters.

Jean's contributions to the field extend beyond her professional engagements; she is also a member of the Advisory Board for the Real Estate Law Institute at Pace University School of Law. Most recently, Jean updated two chapters in the highly regarded New York State Bar Association book entitled “Real Estate Titles”, which is often viewed as the treatise on real estate titles in New York.

Overall, Jean stands out as a distinguished title insurance attorney. Her expertise, leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence have undoubtedly earned her a well-deserved reputation as a prominent leader in the industry.

Samantha Long
Senior Guardianship Advocate, The ARC Westchester

Samantha Long is a Licensed Social Worker and a corporate guardian with over 15 years of experience in the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD/DD) field. As a trained facilitator for Supported Decision Making in New York, she is committed to empowering individuals in making informed choices about their lives.

A passionate advocate and dedicated professional, Samantha brings a unique perspective to her work, drawing on her personal experience as a family member of an individual with disabilities. She is dedicated to supporting individuals and families within the IDD/DD community and is committed to fostering autonomy and dignity for those she serves.