The San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association (SDLRLA) will hold its 17th Annual Judiciary Reception on July 30, 2026, honoring U.S. District Judge Ruth Bermudez Montenegro and Luis Céspedes, Judicial Appointments Secretary for Governor Gavin Newsom. The event, which draws approximately 350 attendees each year, recognizes outstanding contributions to justice, public service, and community leadership.
Judge Bermudez Montenegro, nominated by President Joseph R. Biden and confirmed in 2022, serves as a United States District Judge for the Southern District of California. Born and raised in Imperial Valley, she is the daughter of Mexican immigrants. Before her federal appointment, she served as the sole U.S. Magistrate Judge in Imperial County, the first woman to hold that position, and also served as a Superior Court Judge and Family Support Commissioner. Her initiatives include the "El Centro Project," which expanded federal criminal defense representation for attorneys in Imperial County and improved access to legal services for indigent defendants. She currently chairs the Ninth Circuit Criminal Law Committee and the Southern District of California's Criminal Justice Act Committee.
"It is deeply meaningful to me to be recognized by SDLRLA, an organization that does so much to uplift and ensure that our legal community is strong, vibrant, and accessible to all," Judge Bermudez Montenegro said.
Luis Céspedes will receive SDLRLA's inaugural Service to the Bench and Community Award. Appointed by Governor Newsom in 2020, Céspedes has dedicated his career to public service. Raised in Santa Maria, he began advocating for farmworkers as a teenager before earning degrees from Occidental College and UC Berkeley School of Law. His career includes private practice, legislative service, and work as a pro tem judge, referee, and arbitrator. A co-founder of Sacramento's Unity Bar Association, he has been recognized as a Distinguished Attorney of the Year and named among California's Top 100 Lawyers. His work has helped shape California's judiciary and expand opportunities for underrepresented communities.
"The Judiciary Reception remains one of SDLRLA's signature events, bringing together members of the state and federal bench, San Diego's bar, and members of our broader community to celebrate leadership, service, and the pursuit of justice," said SDLRLA President Hector Tamayo. "This year's honorees exemplify the values of excellence, inclusion, and community engagement that San Diego La Raza Lawyers seeks to recognize."
The reception will take place at the San Diego Wine & Culinary Center, 200 W Harbor Dr., #120, San Diego, CA 92101, from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Registration information is available at www.judiciaryreception.com. Founded to support Latino legal professionals and promote equal access to justice, SDLRLA works to strengthen the pipeline of diverse legal leaders and advance fairness within the justice system. More information can be found at www.sdlrla.com.
