On Wednesday, March 6, 2024, Queen’s Bench Bar Association celebrated Women’s History Month with the return of its annual service day, Get Into the Legal Loop, at Apple Infinite Loop in Cupertino, CA. More than 30 legal professionals were in attendance among approximately 100 attendees. As the bar association’s Mentorship Committee co-chairs, Senior Associate Attorney Linda Anderson and Associate Attorney Alexandra Sepolen welcomed college and law students from underrepresented backgrounds to learn more about pathways into the legal profession.
Partner Michèle Bissada was a key panelist during the first half of the event. Moderated by Alexandra Sepolen, the panel featured five attorneys from various backgrounds and levels of experience. Panelists shared how they found their passion for the law, as well as strategies to acquire useful skills in law school that are transferable to the practice of law. Panelists also encouraged students to find opportunities to explore practice areas and settings aligned with their interests. Notably, Michèle Bissada’s contributions on the panel were pivotal in students learning how to meaningfully develop mentoring relationships with attorneys.
After the panel event, students joined legal professionals for a lively networking reception, featuring interactive activities to educate students about various legal careers while helping them identify potential mentors. Attorney volunteers such as Associate Attorney Lily Fulgieri provided meaningful guidance and encouragement to these aspiring future lawyers. As family law was one of the top 3 practice areas of interest among this year’s attendees, FKKB’s contribution during the reception was pivotal for fostering students’ growing passion for family law.
A highlight of the service day was the debut of the Mentorship Committee’s new scholarship program, the Queen’s Bench Law Preview Scholarship, awarded to a college senior from an underrepresented background who is entering their first year of law school. The scholarship provides the recipient with the opportunity to participate in BARBRI’s Law Preview summer program. Linda Anderson and Alexandra Sepolen were not only instrumental in establishing this scholarship program but also in establishing a long-term partnership between Queen’s Bench and BARBRI to provide legal education resources and tools to aspiring future lawyers.
FKKB remains committed to furthering the advancement of women and underrepresented groups in the law through mentorship and volunteerism in the community.