17th Annual Judiciary Reception
Presented by San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association
July 30th 2026 | San Diego, California | 5:30PM
presented by
17th Annual Judiciary Reception
by San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association
July 30th 2026 | San Diego, California | 5:30PM
presented by
An Evening of Honor, Community, and Justice
Glad you could join us for the 17th Annual Judiciary Reception – one of San Diego’s most distinguished legal community gatherings. Each year, SDLRLA brings together judges, attorneys, law students, community leaders, and allies to celebrate the contributions of the judiciary and reaffirm our shared commitment to equality, diversity, and justice.
This beloved event drew over 400 attendees including 93 Judges and serves as a highlight of the San Diego legal calendar. We are proud to recognize a different judge each year for their exceptional contributions to our community and the rule of law
About the Event
The Judiciary Reception is an annual tradition that honors the outstanding service of San Diego’s judges while uniting the bench and bar in celebration of the Latino legal community’s impact and legacy.
The evening features a formal dinner and program, live Mariachi music, a captivating Ballet Folklórico performance, and the presentation of this year’s distinguished judicial honoree. It is an occasion to connect, to celebrate, and to recommit to the values that drive our work.
2026 Honoree
Judge Ruth Bermudez Montenegro
Honorable Ruth Bermudez Montenegro is a United States District Judge for the Southern District of California. Born and raised in the Imperial Valley to Mexican immigrant parents, Judge Montenegro has dedicated her career to public service, access to justice, and community empowerment.
Nominated by President Joseph R. Biden, she was confirmed and commissioned in March 2022. She previously served as the first female United States Magistrate Judge in Imperial County (2018) and as a Superior Court Judge. Her extensive legal experience includes roles as Assistant County Counsel for Imperial County and attorney representing public agencies, school districts, and nonprofits.
A passionate advocate for education and mentorship, Judge Montenegro co-founded the El Centro Education Foundation, which has awarded over $1 million in scholarships. She established court extern programs for local students, mentors pre-law students, and actively supports civics education. She has held leadership roles in numerous bar associations and community organizations, including MANA de Imperial Valley, which she led as President.
Judge Montenegro graduated from UCLA School of Law (1992) and earned her B.A. summa cum laude in Political Science from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. Her many honors include “Woman of the Year” awards, the Clarion Distinguished Alumni Award, and Imperial Valley College Hall of Fame induction.
2026 Service to the Bench and Community Award
Judicial Appointments Secretary Luis Cespedes
On December 10, 2020, Luis Céspedes was sworn in as Judicial Appointments Secretary to Gavin Newsom. Born in Santa Maria, California, he began advocating for farm workers at age 15. He earned B.A. and M.A. degrees from Occidental College and later attended UC Berkeley School of Law after completing the CORO Fellowship.
Céspedes served as Administrative Assistant and Co-Chief of Staff to Vic Fazio, Principal Consultant to the Assembly Health Committee, and Senior Consultant under Speaker Leo McCarthy. In private practice since 1982, he handled civil and criminal cases in state and federal courts, including the Ninth Circuit.
He also served as a Pro Tem judge, referee, and arbitrator for Sacramento County Superior Court. A co-founder of the Unity Bar Association of Sacramento, he was named Distinguished Attorney of the Year (2018) and a Top 100 Lawyer (2021). He has been married 52 years and has three daughters and six grandchildren.
About SDLRLA
Founded in 1979 with a handful of Latino attorneys, the San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association has grown to represent over three hundred Latino and Latina lawyers practicing in San Diego County. Our members include current and former state and federal court judges, magistrates, referees, law professors, State Bar committee members, county bar board directors, government officials, elected officials, lawyers practicing in all specialty areas, and law students.
Our mission is to advance the cause of equality, empowerment, and justice for Latino attorneys and the Latino community in San Diego County through service and advocacy. We are dedicated to promoting diversity on both the bench and bar, and we support law students through mentorship programs and scholarships.
2026 Sponsors
2026 Title Sponsor
2026 Gold Sponsors
2026 Silver Sponsors
2026 Exclusive Photobooth Underwriter
2026 Underwriters
2026 Advertisers
Become a Sponsor for the 2027 Edition
Sponsoring the Judiciary Reception puts your organization in front of 300–350 of San Diego’s most influential legal professionals – while directly supporting diversity, equity, and the advancement of the Latino legal community.
| Level | Investment |
|---|---|
| Title Sponsor | $10,000 |
| Platinum | $7,500 |
| Gold | $5,000 |
| Silver | $2,500 |
| Event Underwriters (Mariachis, Ballet Folklórico, Photographer, Food, Flowers) | $1,000 each |
| Photo Booth | $1,500 exclusive |
| Program Ads | Full Page $550 · Half Page $275 |
| Branding at Venue: Barrel Logo Branding | $300 |
Past Receptions
The Judiciary Reception has been a cornerstone event of the San Diego legal community for 17 years. Past honorees have represented the finest of San Diego’s judiciary — jurists whose dedication to fairness, equity, and the law has inspired generations of attorneys.
2026 Photos
