SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association (SDLRLA) will recognize two distinguished leaders in California’s legal community during its 17th Annual Judiciary Reception on Thursday, July 30, 2026, celebrating their dedication to justice, public service, and advancing diversity within the legal profession.
The annual event, considered one of San Diego’s premier legal gatherings, is expected to bring together approximately 350 judges, attorneys, law students, elected officials, and community leaders. The reception celebrates the contributions of the judiciary while reaffirming the legal community’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and equal access to justice.
This year’s honorees are U.S. District Judge Ruth Bermudez Montenegro and Luis Céspedes, Judicial Appointments Secretary for Governor Gavin Newsom.
Judge Bermudez Montenegro will be honored for her distinguished judicial career and longstanding commitment to expanding access to justice throughout Imperial and San Diego counties. A native of California’s Imperial Valley and the daughter of Mexican immigrants, she became a United States District Judge for the Southern District of California after being nominated by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2022.
Prior to her appointment, she served as the only U.S. Magistrate Judge in Imperial County and was the first woman to hold that position. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for improving legal access for underserved communities and for mentoring future generations of legal professionals.
“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.
The association will also present its inaugural Service to the Bench and Community Award to Luis Céspedes.
Since his appointment by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2020 as Judicial Appointments Secretary, Céspedes has played a key role in helping shape California’s judiciary. Raised in Santa Maria, California, he began advocating for farmworkers as a teenager before pursuing a distinguished legal career that has included private practice, legislative service, judicial appointments, and leadership within California’s legal community.
A co-founder of Sacramento’s Unity Bar Association, Céspedes has earned statewide recognition for his commitment to increasing diversity within the legal profession and expanding opportunities for historically 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 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.”
The 17th Annual Judiciary Reception will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the San Diego Wine & Culinary Center, located at 200 W. Harbor Drive, Suite 120, San Diego.
Registration information is available at www.judiciaryreception.com.