For more than a century, Queen’s Bench has welcomed jurists, scholars, and leaders of national prominence to speak at our signature events throughout the year. In conjunction with our Centennial Celebration, this tradition was formally renamed the Annual Keynote Series. Held annually, the Series is directed by the First Vice President, who invites a speaker of national acclaim to address our membership on topics of contemporary significance. 
2026
Karen Musalo
Professor of Law, UC Law San Francisco; Founding Director, Center for Gender & Refugee Studies
Annual Gala “Stronger Together,” November 19, 2026
2025
Hon. Victoria Kolakowski
Judge, Alameda County Superior Court; the nation’s first openly transgender trial court judge
Annual Gala, The Palace Hotel, October 8, 2025
2024
Mary Ziegler
Martin Luther King Jr. Professor of Law, UC Davis; leading legal historian of the abortion debate
Annual Judges’ Dinner, Hyatt Regency San Francisco, October 9, 2024
2023
Hon. Lucy H. Koh
Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; first Korean American woman on a federal appellate court (pictured right)
Annual Judges’ Dinner, San Francisco War Memorial, September 14, 2023
2022
Chief Justice Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye
Former Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court; first Filipina American and first woman of color to lead the state’s judiciary
Centennial Celebration, San Francisco War Memorial, April 20, 2022
Prior Keynote Speakers
Annual Keynote Series years are drawn from our printed event programs. Speakers listed without years appeared at Queen’s Bench events across our history; as our Centennial Committee’s Archival Library grows, we look forward to adding dates. If you remember when one of these speakers joined us, we would love to hear from you at admin@queensbench.org.
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