The San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association (SDLRLA) will honor U.S. District Judge Ruth Bermudez Montenegro and Luis Céspedes, Judicial Appointments Secretary for Governor Gavin Newsom, at its 17th Annual Judiciary Reception on July 30, 2026. The event, held at the San Diego Wine & Culinary Center, celebrates the judiciary's contributions and reaffirms the legal community's commitment to equality, diversity, and justice.
Judge Ruth Bermudez Montenegro will be recognized for her distinguished service to the law, education, and the communities of Imperial and San Diego counties. Born and raised in California's Imperial Valley, she is the daughter of Mexican immigrants. Nominated by President Joseph R. Biden and confirmed in 2022, she serves as a United States District Judge for the Southern District of California. Before her federal appointment, she was 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. She spearheaded the El Centro Project, expanding federal criminal defense representation and improving access to legal services for indigent defendants. She chairs the Ninth Circuit Criminal Law Committee and the Southern District of California's Criminal Justice Act Committee.
SDLRLA will also present its inaugural Service to the Bench and Community Award to Luis Céspedes. Appointed in 2020 by Governor Newsom, Céspedes has dedicated his career to public service and the legal profession. Raised in Santa Maria, California, 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 judicial service as a pro tem judge, referee, and arbitrator. A co-founder of Sacramento's Unity Bar Association, he has been named among California's Top 100 Lawyers. His work has helped shape California's judiciary and expand opportunities for underrepresented communities.
“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,” said Judge Ruth Bermudez Montenegro. SDLRLA President Hector Tamayo added, “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. This year's honorees exemplify the values of excellence, inclusion, and community engagement.”
The reception draws approximately 350 attendees annually, including legal professionals, judges, law students, and community leaders. For registration information, visit www.judiciaryreception.com. SDLRLA, founded to support Latino legal professionals and promote equal access to justice, serves as a vital voice for diversity, representation, and inclusion within San Diego's legal community.
