San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association Honors Judge Ruth Bermudez Montenegro and Luis Céspedes at 17th Annual Judiciary Reception

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, celebrates the judiciary's contributions and reaffirms the legal community's commitment to equality, diversity, and justice.

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, becoming the first woman to hold that position, and also served as a Superior Court Judge and Family Support Commissioner. Her impact includes spearheading the "El Centro Project," which expanded federal criminal defense representation in Imperial County. She 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, Céspedes has dedicated his career to public service, beginning as a teenager advocating for farmworkers. After earning degrees from Occidental College and UC Berkeley School of Law, he worked in private practice, legislative service, and 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.

"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 draw approximately 350 attendees. Event details: July 30, 2026, 5:30 p.m. – 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. Founded to support Latino legal professionals and promote equal access to justice, SDLRLA works to strengthen the pipeline of diverse legal leaders. More information at www.sdlrla.com.