FEBRUARY 8, 2026 - NAPA, CA - Queen's Bench Second Vice President Alexandra Sepolen recently attended the 2026 Bay Area Women Lawyers' Network (BAWLN) Annual Retreat in Napa, joining women attorneys, judges, neutrals, and legal leaders from across Northern California for a weekend focused on leadership, professional development, wellness, and advancement of women in the legal profession.
The retreat featured a diverse lineup of MCLE programming addressing topics ranging from judicial independence and legal ethics to rainmaking, leadership development, civility, implicit bias, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in legal practice. Attendees heard from distinguished jurists, law firm leaders, bar association representatives, and ADR professionals who shared insights drawn from decades of experience in the legal community.
Highlights included discussions on women in leadership roles, strategies for building successful practices, the importance of professional resilience, and navigating challenges unique to women in the legal profession. A panel of Bay Area legal trailblazers reflected on lessons learned throughout their careers, while judicial officers explored the role of professional responsibility and the preservation of judicial independence in today's legal environment.
The retreat also provided valuable opportunities for networking and relationship-building among attorneys from a wide range of practice areas and organizations throughout the Bay Area. Through both formal programming and informal gatherings, participants exchanged ideas, strengthened professional connections, and discussed ways to support and elevate women within the legal profession.
Reflecting on the experience, Sepolen noted that one of the retreat's greatest strengths was the opportunity to learn from accomplished women leaders across different sectors of the legal profession. "It was inspiring to hear candid conversations about leadership, resilience, and the challenges women continue to navigate in the legal profession," said Sepolen. "The retreat reinforced the importance of building strong professional networks, mentoring the next generation of attorneys, and creating spaces where women can openly share their experiences and strategies for success."
BAWLN serves as a collaborative network of women lawyers' organizations throughout the Bay Area and works to promote mentorship, leadership, professional development, and community among women attorneys. The annual retreat remains one of the organization's signature events, bringing together legal professionals committed to advancing excellence, inclusion, and leadership throughout the profession.
Queen's Bench was proud to be represented at the retreat and looks forward to continuing its collaboration with women lawyers' organizations throughout the Bay Area.
