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, one of the region's premier gatherings of legal professionals, judges, law students, and community leaders, draws approximately 350 attendees each year and celebrates the judiciary's contributions while reaffirming the legal community's commitment to equality, diversity, and justice.
Judge 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 by the United States Senate in 2022, she serves as a United States District Judge for the Southern District of California. Before her federal appointment, she served as the sole United States Magistrate Judge in Imperial County, becoming the first woman to hold that position. She also served as a Superior Court Judge and Family Support Commissioner, earning recognition for her commitment to public service and access to justice.
Beyond the courtroom, Judge Bermudez Montenegro spearheaded the "El Centro Project," which expanded federal criminal defense representation opportunities 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," she said.
SDLRLA will also present its inaugural Service to the Bench and Community Award to Luis Céspedes. Appointed in 2020 by Governor Newsom as Judicial Appointments Secretary, 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 the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. His career includes private practice, legislative service, judicial service as a pro tem judge, referee, and arbitrator, and leadership within California's legal community. 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 event will take place on July 30, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the San Diego Wine & Culinary Center, 200 W Harbor Dr., #120, San Diego, CA 92101. For registration information, visit www.judiciaryreception.com. More information about SDLRLA is available at www.sdlrla.com.
