CUPERTINO, CA – March 6, 2025 – Queen’s Bench Bar Association proudly hosted another successful Get Into the Legal Loop (GILL) program at Apple’s Infinite Loop campus in Cupertino, continuing our commitment to mentorship, professional development, and fostering the next generation of legal professionals.

This year’s theme, “Strength & Confidence,” resonated throughout the event, inspiring students, law clerks, and early-career attorneys to embrace their unique strengths and chart their legal careers with confidence. “This year’s program emphasized essential skills that support a strong foundation for a successful legal career,” said San Mateo County Bar Association Women Lawyers Section Chair and Queen’s Bench 2025 Treasurer & Mentorship Committee Co-Chair Alexandra Sepolen. “This year’s program covered various strategies to support career advancement in the legal profession, including cultivating inner strength, engaging in positive self-talk, effectively navigating professional environments, developing legal knowledge, and gaining  meaningful work experience.”

The event provided attendees with access to distinguished judges, attorneys, and legal professionals who shared their experiences, insights, and guidance in a supportive networking environment.

From left to right: Lin Zhu; 2025 Board Members Alexandra Sepolen &  Linda Anderson, CFLS; and Hana Hardy Gunther

The program opened with welcome remarks from Lin Zhu, one of GILL’s co-founders and Senior Employment Counsel at Apple. She shared the program’s role in connecting aspiring lawyers with mentors and professional opportunities. “The legal field can be challenging, but it also offers incredible opportunities for growth, change, and influence,” explained Zhu. 2019 Past President and GILL Co-Founder Hana Hardy Gunther followed by reflecting on GILL’s founding mission. “Our goal was to demystify pathways to careers in the law and, in doing so, build the confidence and self-esteem in the next generation of attorneys to pursue successful careers in the law.”

From left to right: Sarah Cook & Judge Elizabeth Manassau Sanada

A major highlight of the event was an inaugural keynote address by Judge Elizabeth Manassau Sanada, recently appointed to the Santa Clara County Superior Court. Introduced by Santa Clara County Bar Association Women Lawyers Section Co-Chair Sarah Cook, Judge Manassau shared her journey from law student to judge, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, resilience, and building confidence in the legal profession. 

From left to right: Administrative Law Judge Dorothy Chou Proudfoot of the San Francisco Rent Board; Avery Dotterer; Annie Persampieri; Tanya Montano O’Malley; Karen Flores; and Alexandra  Sepolen

Following the keynote was a moderated panel discussion introduced by San Mateo County Women Lawyers Section Vice Chair Jessica Agnich. Panelists included:

• Judge Dorothy Chou Proudfoot, Administrative Law Judge from the San Francisco Rent Board; 

• Annie Persampieri, Director of Internet Services at Apple; 

• Tanya Montano O'Malley, Managing Attorney at the San Mateo County Private Defender Program; 

• Avery Dotterer, Associate Attorney at Picone & Defilippis; and 

• Karen Flores, Senior Paralegal at Picone & Defilippis.

This year’s panel was moderated by San Mateo County Women Lawyers Section Chair and Queen’s Bench 2025 Mentorship Committee Co-Chair Alexandra Sepolen. Panelists provided invaluable insight into navigating law school, developing legal expertise, overcoming bias in the profession, and the role of mentorship in career success. Students’ questions during the Q&A session focused on the role of social justice in the practice of law, transitioning to law school from other careers or industries, attending law school while raising children, and the paths taken by international students to pursue legal careers in the United States.

2025 Director Linda Anderson, CFLS

Queen’s Bench Director and Mentorship Committee Co-Chair Linda Anderson hosted this year’s networking reception, consisting of remarks from Queen’s Bench leadership and presentation of awards. In her opening remarks, Anderson stated, “Mentorship provides a strong foundation for success in the legal field. We are excited that GILL has become one of our cornerstone events for aspiring future legal professionals.” 

2025 Foundation President and 2024 Immediate Past President Kara Wild

Immediate Past President and Queen’s Bench Foundation President Kara Wild reinforced this message, sharing her personal experiences and wisdom with students. “Strength and confidence are not a state of achievement, but a process that we develop throughout our lives,” remarked Wild, as she encouraged students to stretch and grow as they explore pathways into the profession.  Wild also announced the Foundation’s commitment to supporting a new mentorship or educational initiative by the end of 2025.

2025 First Vice President Sara Craig of Peiffer Wolf Carr Kane Conway & Wise LLP

On behalf of Queen’s Bench President Elisha Jussen-Cooke, First Vice President Sara Craig delivered powerful remarks on the significance of mentorship and diversity in the legal profession, encouraging students to embrace their strengths and recognize their unique perspectives as assets to the field. “Success in this profession is not about fitting into a mold; it’s about recognizing and leaning into what makes you unique.”

Several panelists also received thank you gifts from Queen’s Bench and Apple, including flowers and a recognition plaque acknowledging their willingness to mentor and guide local students.

As the event concluded, Queen’s Bench Diversity Committee Co-Chair Alexandra Sepolen encouraged attendees to nurture the relationships formed at GILL and take advantage of upcoming Queen’s Bench programs and scholarships. Applications are now open throughout April 30, 2025, for two scholarship programs:

• The Law Preview Scholarship, enabling an incoming first-year law student to take a summer preparatory course; andA scholarship for an incoming law student; and

• The Full Circle Scholarship, a bar exam prep scholarship for recent graduates sitting for the bar exam in any U.S. jurisdiction on or before July 2026.

Students interested in mentorship opportunities, professional development, and Queen’s Bench membership were encouraged to stay engaged through upcoming events, including an MCLE series on the impact of AI and technology on women in the law and an upcoming Fall 2025 signature event celebrating women in leadership.

Queen’s Bench extends heartfelt thanks to its co-sponsors:

• Apple, for graciously hosting the event;

• Santa Clara County Bar Association Women Lawyers Section, for co-sponsoring the keynote address; and

• San Mateo County Bar Association Women Lawyers Section, for co-sponsoring the moderated panel.

Attendees applauding after closing remarks at the GILL 2025 Reception

“As an alumna of the first GILL program, I have personally experienced its positive impact on both personal and professional development. Queen’s Bench has long been committed to community outreach and service, and this program exemplifies our century-old tradition of supporting the pursuit of meaningful legal careers,” commented Sepolen as the event came to a close. Queen’s Bench looks forward to continuing its mission of uplifting diverse voices and fostering meaningful professional connections in the years to come. 

For more information on mentorship programs, contact the Mentorship Committee at mentorship@queensbench.org.

Founded in 1921, Queen’s Bench Bar Association is a 501(c)(6) organization that promotes equality and opportunity for all, including mentorship, education, and diversity-based initiatives. For more information about our bar association, please email admin@queensbench.org.