Queen's Bench committees serve as the foundation of our mission to advance justice, promote gender equity, and foster professional development within the legal community. Our committees offer opportunities for our members to engage in advocacy, networking, mentorship, and community service while addressing key issues affecting women in the law. Whether through legal education, policy initiatives, amicus advocacy, or diversity and inclusion efforts, each committee plays a vital role in shaping the impact of the bar association on the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Members are encouraged to join committees that align with their interests and/or expertise -- we encourage all members to contribute to skills and collaborate with like-minded professionals interested in making a difference in our communities. Learn more about our various committees below, and contact our committee chairs for more information on upcoming meetings and projects. Queen's Bench members may join a committee by emailing admin@queensbench.org with your full name and the committee(s) you would like to join. We will then connect you with the chair(s) for any committee(s) of interest. If you are not a current member, click here to access our secure online membership form.
Amicus Briefs Committee
The Amicus Briefs Committee reviews and prepares amicus briefs authorized by the Board of Directors. The committee evaluates requests for Queen's Bench to submit or join amicus briefs in cases that align with the bar association's mission. The committee's work contributes to the development of legal precedent on issues affecting women and gender equity. Visit the Amicus Briefs Committee page.
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 Juliane Smith
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 Lacey L. Estudillo
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Awards CommitteeThe Awards Committee selects and advises the Board of Directors on nominees for various awards related to Queen's Bench, including but not limited to: - The Queen's Bench Merit Awards recognized at the bar association's Gala, including our Lifetime Achievement Award, Service Award, and Rookie Award; and
- Nominations of Queen's Bench members for awards given by sister bar associations or other organizations, such as the Minority Bar Coalition's Unity Awards.
Please visit our Awards page to find out more.
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Business Development Committee
The Business Development Committee advances the interests of members in connection with business development and works with other professional associations and businesses as they are available, to coordinate various programs such as: - The annual Lawyers, Engineers, Architects, Accountants, Doctors and Dentists (LEAADD) Reception, encouraging cross-sector collaboration and networking opportunities; and
- Cocktails and Couture, an annual networking event spotlighting the bar association's community partners, including local Bay Area businesses.
Business Development Committee
The Business Development Committee works to advance the interests of members in connection with business development and works with other professional associations, as they are available, to arrange for the annual LEAADD dinner (Lawyers, Engineers, Architects, Accountants, Doctors, and Dentists). One of the BD Committee's most popular events is the annual Cocktails and Couture.
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Lisa Villasenor-Volosing
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Bylaws CommitteeThe Bylaws Committee conducts routine reviews of the bar association's bylaws and periodically proposes revisions to the Board of Directors and Queen's Bench members. Any proposed revisions to the Bylaws are provided to Queen's Bench members in advance of the bar association's Annual Members Meeting held in October or November of each year.
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Kara L. Wild
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Centennial/History The Centennial/History Committee maintains and preserves the bar association's historical archives. The committee also spearheads various programs celebrating the bar association's rich history and traditions, such as our recent Centennial Gala and the Queen's Bench Oral History Project. The committee also supports legacy planning for the bar association by researching and advising the Board of Directors on initiatives and achievements of Queen's Bench Past Presidents, lifetime members, and long-standing members of the bar association. Please visit our Queen’s Bench Archives to find out more.
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Clarissa Kang
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Civic and Judicial Appointments Committee The Civic and Judicial Appointments Committee (CJAC) provides information to the Board of Directors and to the members regarding open positions in all branches and levels of government and information about candidates for those openings. The committee encourages member participation in elections and ensures communication of open positions to members. Visit our Civic and Judicial Appointment Committee page to find out more.
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 Veena Bansal
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Conference of Delegates
The Conference of Delegates Committee prepares and sends Queen's Bench members as our representatives to the Conference of California Bar Associations (CCBA), an annual forum for California lawyers to address important issues and improve state law. The Committee drafts and submits CCBA resolutions on the bar association's behalf, enabling members to participate in programs to support meaningful, substantive changes to state law.
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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) Committee celebrates the diverse backgrounds of Queen's Bench members and the greater Bay Area community. The committee supports various projects related to business development, education, mentorship, public service, legal and policy-based research, and advocacy in service to local students, attorneys, and diverse client populations. The DEIB Committee also serves as a liaison to the Minority Bar Coalition to support cross-collaboration between Queen's Bench and our sister bar associations.
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 Alexandra L. Sepolen
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Domestic & Sexual Violence CommitteeThe Domestic Violence Committee coordinates events for the membership relevant to issues of domestic violence.
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Elisha Jussen-Cooke
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EducationThe Education Committee coordinates Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) programs for Queen's Bench members. Queen's Bench Bar Association is an approved MCLE Multiple Activity Provider (MAP) by the State Bar of California (Provider No. 2907). Do you have an MCLE you’d like Queen’s Bench to host? Please send us your ideas by clicking here.
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Stephanie A. Smeekens
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Employment/Work-Life BalanceThe Employment/Work-Life Balance Committee provides information and hosts events related to balancing a legal career with personal and/or family obligations. The committee supports programs and initiatives covering topics such as family or medical leave, parental leave, resources for remote work, retirement planning, childcare, workplace accommodations, and mental health and wellness.
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Events The Events Committee assists and advises the Board of Directors on planning Queen's Bench signature events, including but not limited to our Annual Gala and/or other large programs hosted for members such as Past Presidents Dinner and Judges Dinner. The committee will support the Board of Directors or committee chairs in planning social events for members and outreach to prospective attendees.
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Lisa Villasenor-Volosing
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Legislative and Reproductive Rights
The Legislative and Reproductive Rights Committee studies and reports to the Board of Directors and members on various legislative developments, including legislation related to reproductive health and reproductive justice. The Committee also hosts various campaigns and initiatives to communicate the position of Queen's Bench on various legislative developments to the appropriate legislative bodies and/or representatives.
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Beth Hodess
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MentorshipThe Mentorship Committee organizes various mentoring programs and initiatives, including: - Get Into the Legal Loop (GILL), an annual Women's History Month service event held annually in March to encourage local students to pursue legal careers;
- Our Law Student Liaison Program (LSLP), inviting 2Ls, 3Ls and 4Ls to engage in leadership development programs while working on a capstone project;
- Shadowing opportunities to observe hearings and alternative dispute resolution processes; and
- Monthly committee meetings, comprised of facilitated group discussions, guest speakers, and/or MCLEs on topics such as bar exam preparation (for students and recent graduates), career/professional development, resume and cover letter reviews, and current topics affecting members' law practice.
Questions regarding the Mentorship Committee may be directed to mentorship@queensbench.org.
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Alexandra L. Sepolen
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Linda M. Anderson, CFLS
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Queen's Bench members may join a committee by emailing Admin@Queensbench.org. Kindly provide your name and the committee(s) you would like to join and we will connect you with the Chair for that committee. If you are not a current member, click here to access our secure online membership form. |
