San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association to Honor U.S. District 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, held at the San Diego Wine & Culinary Center, draws approximately 350 attendees annually and celebrates leadership in the legal community.

Judge Bermudez Montenegro, a daughter of Mexican immigrants from California's Imperial Valley, was nominated by President Joseph R. Biden and confirmed in 2022 as a United States District Judge for the Southern District of California. She previously served as 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. Her initiatives include the “El Centro Project,” which expanded federal criminal defense representation 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.

Luis Céspedes, appointed Judicial Appointments Secretary in 2020, has dedicated his career to public service. Raised in Santa Maria, 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 roles 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 and recognized as a Distinguished Attorney of the Year. His work has shaped California’s judiciary and expanded opportunities for underrepresented communities.

SDLRLA President Hector Tamayo emphasized the significance of the event: “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 that San Diego La Raza Lawyers seeks to recognize.”

Judge Bermudez Montenegro expressed her gratitude: “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.”

The reception, one of the region's premier legal gatherings, underscores the importance of diversity and access to justice. For registration information, visit www.judiciaryreception.com. More about SDLRLA is available at www.sdlrla.com.

This recognition highlights the ongoing efforts to strengthen the pipeline of diverse legal leaders and advance fairness within the justice system, impacting legal professionals and communities across California.