SAN FRANCISCO, CA - July 13, 2025 - This press release was prepared by 2025 President, Elisha Jussen Cooke.

Queen’s Bench Bar Association is proud to support two important advocacy efforts led by the Family Violence Appellate Project (FVAP) to strengthen legal protections for survivors of domestic violence.

First, Queen’s Bench signed on to FVAP’s letter supporting a proposed amendment to Rule 7.3 of the California Rules of Professional Conduct, which would prohibit attorneys from soliciting respondents in domestic violence restraining order (DVRO) cases before they have been served. Survivors often face the greatest risk of harm immediately after leaving an abusive relationship. Pre-service solicitation of restraining order respondents has led to service evasion and to survivors abandoning their restraining order requests because of a respondent’s coercion or intimidation—all of which compromise survivor safety and access to courts. The proposed amendment aligns with established public policy and ensures survivor safety is prioritized without compromising due process for respondents.

Queen’s Bench also joined FVAP in requesting publication of the appellate decision in D.V. v. Mohamed M.—an important and precedent-worthy case affirming a trial court’s issuance of a DVRO, dismissal of contempt charges, and award of sole custody to the survivor. The decision addresses several novel and underdeveloped areas of law, including:

• The standard for contempt charges for purported violations of a Temporary Restraining Order in the Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO) context
• The statutory defense of coercion under Penal Code § 236.24(a)
• Use of expert testimony in DVRO cases 
• Admissibility of secretly recorded conversations under Penal Code § 633.6
• Recognition of immigration-related abuse as domestic violence

Together, these efforts reflect FVAP’s and Queen’s Bench’s shared commitment to advancing gender equity, improving access to justice, and building a trauma-informed legal system that empower survivors and protect their rights.

To learn more about FVAP’s work, visit www.fvaplaw.org.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - July 2, 2025

This press release is published on behalf of 2025 President, Elisha Jussen Cooke. 

Queen’s Bench is proud to congratulate board members Catherine Reagan, Alexandra Sepolen, and Linda Anderson on being named 2025 Super Lawyers Rising Stars in Northern California!

This distinction is awarded to just 2.5% of early-career attorneys through a rigorous selection process that includes peer nominations, independent research, and attorney evaluations. It’s a testament to their excellence in practice, commitment to justice, and leadership in the legal community.

For more than a century, Queen’s Bench has championed the advancement of women in law and promoted equality, professional excellence, and community service. We’re honored to have these three outstanding attorneys carry that legacy forward through their work on our board and in the wider legal community.

Congratulations, Rising Stars!

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - July 8, 2025 - On July 8, 2025, the Queen's Bench Board of Directors met for its monthly Board meeting to review and discuss various Queen's Bench initiatives.

The Board unanimously voted to rebrand the Employment/Work-Life Balance Committee as the Wellness Committee. The committee provides information and hosts events related to balancing a legal career with personal and/or family obligations. Historically, 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.

The rebranding of this committee coincides with recent recommendations at the statewide and national level to promote the well-being of legal professionals. Recent initatives include the the State Bar of California's Lawyer Assistance Program and MCLE promoting wellness as a critical component of attorney competence. The change also aligns with recent publications by the California Lawyers Association and the American Bar Association.

The Board also unanimously voted to welcome two new co-chairs: Kara Wild and Alexandra Sepolen.

• Kara Wild is our Immediate Past President and current President of the Queen's Bench Foundation. Wild has maintained a strong, long-standing presence in Queen's Bench leadership for several years, supporting various initiatives and projects that support the well-being of members and the Greater Bay Area community.

• Alexandra Sepolen sits on the Board of Directors, participating in various Queen's Bench programs since her time as a law student. Prior to practicing law, Sepolen worked in public health and served on various task forces related to attorney and law student wellness.

Members interested in joining the Wellness Committee may email Catherine Reagan, our Membership Chair, at membership@queensbench.org, or the Wellness Chairs directly at wellness@queensbench.org.

SAN JOSE, CA - June 27, 2025 - On June 26, 2025, members of Queen's Bench leadership hosted South Bay members at the Littlest Little Italy in San Jose for a fun afternoon and evening of networking at our South Bay Summer Mixer. The event marks the return of our summer mixers after a programming hiatus in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Board members Alexandra Sepolen and Stephanie Smeekens and Civil and Judicial Appointments Committee Co-Chair Veena Bansal welcomed attendees, including new members and representatives from the bar association's Supporting Underwriter, ADR Services, Inc..

Attendees discussed several important topics as a larger group, including recent developments in judicial appointments throughout the Bay Area, including Santa Clara County Superior Court, the history of Queen's Bench and its Foundation, and opportunities to join committees and attend upcoming events such as the Queen's Bench Gala.

The event also served as a successful business development opportunity, enabling attorneys working in family law and immigration law, as well as in-house and in IP/entertainment, to build business contacts. Law students also attended the event, gaining exposure to new practice areas and useful feedback for their summer internship programs.

Queen's Bench Bar Association looks forward to continuing our Summer Mixer series, including an East Bay Summer Mixer that is tentatively scheduled for August 2025.

Queen's Bench Bar Association has joined the Family Violence Appellate Project (FVAP), along with a group of domestic violence, legal aid, and family law agencies, in submitting comments to three Invitations to Comments from California's Judicial Council. The Judicial Council is the administrative policy-setting body for the state judicial system, and is responsible for, among other things, creating and updating the California Rules of Court and court forms. As part of its process, Judicial Council regularly seeks comments for its proposals from persons and organizations interested in judicial administration.

FVAP submitted comments to the Judicial Council's Invitations to Comment LEG25-01, regarding alternative methods for family courts to give notice of child custody mediation (amending Family Code § 3176), SPR25-25, regarding the clarity and formatting of family law forms and protective orders (and the implementation of SB 599 and AB 3072), and SPR25-26, regarding the clarity and formatting of protective orders and changes to domestic violence and juvenile forms (in order to implement AB 2759).

By supporting this request, Queen's Bench supports FVAP's goal of ensuring that the proposals meet their goals and the law, are readable and usable, and help and support survivors of domestic violence and their children.

Queen’s Bench Bar Association has joined Family Violence Appellate Project (FVAP) and a coalition of domestic violence advocates in requesting a modification to the California Court of Appeal’s opinion in In re Marriage of A.M. and R.Y. (Case No. D084344). Although the Court recently modified its opinion in response to the appellant’s rehearing petition, FVAP and its partners are urging the Court to correct a key omission that could impact the safety and legal protections available to survivors across the state.

The current opinion omits an important portion of the Domestic Violence Prevention Act’s (DVPA) statutory purpose: to “provide for a separation of the persons involved in the domestic violence for a period sufficient to enable these persons to seek a resolution of the causes of the violence” (Fam. Code § 6220). While the opinion acknowledges the DVPA’s purpose of preventing abuse, it excludes this second, important component of the law.

This omission matters. Survivors are at heightened risk of serious harm when attempting to leave abusive relationships. The DVPA was designed not only to prevent further acts of violence but to allow space for safety, stability, and healing. Recognizing the full statutory purpose ensures that courts consider both the need to prevent immediate harm and the need for meaningful separation as part of their analysis when deciding whether to issue temporary restraining orders.

By supporting this request, Queen’s Bench affirms that clarity in the law is critical to ensuring trial courts apply the DVPA as the Legislature intended. We remain committed to advancing survivor safety and the legal protections that reflect the complex realities of domestic abuse.

Queen's Bench Bar Association provides opportunities for members to work on similar projects. If interested in our Amicus Briefs Committee or Domestic & Sexual Violence Committee, email admin@queensbench.org to sign up today.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - May 16, 2025 - This week, Second Vice President and Membership Chair Catherine Reagan welcomed new admittees, Board members, committee chairs, and members to our Spring Meet and Greet Reception and Mixer. Reagan hosted this year's springtime reception and mixer at the Civic Center Courthouse in San Francisco, CA.

In her opening remarks, Reagan shared more information with new members regarding Queen's Bench rich history. As one of the first ten women's bar associations founded in the United States, Queen's Bench remains a leading figure in championing issues of special concern to women both in the Greater Bay Area and nationwide.

This year's remarks were given by 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient and 1988 Past President Judge Mary E. Wiss, who emphasized the significant impact Queen's Bench members have on local leaders. Approximately 15% of prior Queen's Bench leadership later go on to judgeships, reflecting the high standards of excellence and public service embodied by our membership.

The event concluded with remarks from 2025 President Elisha Jussen Cooke, recognizing Immediate Past President Kara Wild for her leadership last year. Wild's achievements as Immediate Past President include establishing the Fighting for Democracy Series, enabling the bar association to partner with long-standing community-based organizations such as League of Women Voters. Wild also spearheaded revisions to the bar association's bylaws, enabling paraprofessionals and affiliates to obtain memberships at accessible rates.

SACRAMENTO, CA - April 25, 2025 - Queen's Bench Secretary and Amicus Briefs Committee Co-Chair Juliane Smith was appointed by the Supreme Court of California to the State Bar of California's Committee of Bar Examiners. Smith will serve on the Committee for a four-year term, ending in 2029.

According to the State Bar of California's website, the Committee of Bar Examiners "exercises oversight over the California Bar Examination, moral character determination process and the First-Year Law Students’ Examination. The committee makes recommendations for rules and guidelines governing admissions functions; recommends qualified applicants to the California Supreme Court for admission to practice law in California; accredits law schools; registers unaccredited law schools; and studies and reports on proposed changes in the law and other matters concerning requirements for admission to practice law in California."

Queen's Bench congratulates Smith on her appointment and is thrilled she is continuing our legacy of leadership in all facets of the legal profession.

The Judicial Branch of California's News Release regarding Smith's appointment is available here.

NAPA VALLEY, CA - MARCH 9, 2025 - Queen’s Bench Bar Association sponsored the sixth annual Bay Area Women Lawyers Network (BAWLN) Retreat from March 7-9, 2025, at the Silverado Resort & Spa in Napa Valley, CA. Founded in 2019, the event provides an opportunity for women lawyers and paraprofessionals from all practice areas, mediators, and judges to develop relationships and learn from various speakers. 

Group photo of all 2025 BAWLN Retreat attendees, including 2025 Queen’s Bench Board Member Alexandra Sepolen

This year’s retreat was hosted by several bar associations, including the Alameda County Bar Association, the Contra Costa County Bar Association, the California Judges Association, the Marin County Bar Association, the Santa Clara County Bar Association, the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association, and the San Mateo County Bar Association. Queen’s Bench was a proud media co-sponsor of this year’s event and was represented by 2025 Treasurer and Diversity Committee Chair Alexandra Sepolen. 

San Francisco Superior Court Judge Monica Wiley moderating the ‘When There Are Nine’ panel

The retreat commenced on Friday afternoon with an inspiring panel discussion, “When There Are Nine,” in honor of the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, providing insights into the experiences and leadership of women at the highest levels of the judiciary across the United States. Moderated by San Francisco Superior Court Judge Monica Wiley, the panel included:

• Chief Justice Luckert of the Kansas Supreme Court;

• Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis of the Illinois Supreme Court;

• Chief Justice Mary R. Russell of the Missouri Supreme Court;

• Chief Justice Debra Lambert of the Kentucky Supreme Court;

• Chief Justice Meagan A. Flynn of the Oregon Supreme Court;

• Chief Justice Monica Marquez of the Colorado Supreme Court; and

• Chief Justice Loretta Rush of the Indiana Supreme Court.

After the panel, attendees reconvened for “Knowing Your Worth: Personal and Professional,” a discussion led by Judge Fannin covering crucial topics such as career transitions, pay negotiations, and setting competitive hourly rates. The day concluded with engaging networking activities, allowing attendees to unwind and build meaningful connections.

Former Queen’s Bench Director Mary Catherine Wiederhold speaking during the Fearless Founders - Women Leaders panel

Saturday’s programming featured thought-provoking discussions on civility, fearless leadership, and the evolving role of AI in legal practice. Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Nahal Iravani-Sani opened the day with a session on the importance of professionalism and civility in the legal field.

Later, the “Fearless Founders – Women Leaders” panel brought together trailblazing women attorneys, including former Queen’s Bench Director Mary Catherine Wiederhold, San Francisco Superior Court Judge Anne Costin, Bobby Shukla, and Renee Livingston, who shared their experiences in launching and managing successful law firms during their careers. 

From left to right: Lorena Campozano; Jody Irons; and Tasneem Nomanbhai

The morning concluded with “AI – Women Centric – Don’t Get Left Behind!” where industry experts, including Tasneem Nomanbhai of WSG and Lorena Campozano of LexisNexis, discussed the impact of bias in AI and strategies for leveraging technology in legal practice. Attendees then explored Downtown Napa followed by networking at various group dinners at local restaurants.

From left to right: Judge Veronica Rios Reddick, Judge Arcelia Hurtado, and Erica Dennings

Sunday began with a celebratory brunch before transitioning into the final sessions for the weekend. “From Bias to Brilliance: Unlocking Potential Through Self-Advocacy” featured an empowering discussion with Judge Veronica Rios Reddick, Erica Dennings, and Judge Arcelia Hurtado on the importance of self-advocacy, pay negotiation, and leveraging mentorship for professional growth. 

Own It panelists and moderators

Following the session was “Own It,” during which Alameda Superior Court Judge Tamiza Hockenhull Stone, Alameda County Commissioner Elena Ramirez, and Alameda County Deputy Public Defender Rebecca Tran shared strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome and claiming confidence in one’s professional journey. 

A final session led by San Mateo County Bar Association Executive Director Deborah Kemper wrapped up the weekend on a high note, reinforcing key takeaways and celebrating the accomplishments of women in law.

Queen’s Bench is honored to have supported our sister bar associations this year’s retreat, reinforcing our commitment to supporting, uplifting, and advancing women in the legal profession. “I am thrilled that Queen’s Bench sponsored such an important retreat in line with our mission during Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day Weekend. Not only did the retreat provide robust educational content and business development opportunities, but it also was an uplifting environment for women lawyers with varying levels of experience. I encourage Queen’s Bench members to attend next year,” remarked Sepolen.

We extend our gratitude to all the speakers, panelists, and attendees who contributed to making this event a resounding success. We look forward to continuing to support initiatives that encourage women lawyers to thrive. 

Founded in 1921, Queen’s Bench Bar Association is a 501(c)(6) organization that promotes equality and opportunity for all, including the professional advancement of women in the legal profession. For more information about our bar association, please email admin@queensbench.org.