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 celebrates the judiciary’s contributions and reaffirms the legal community’s commitment to equality, diversity, and justice.
Judge Bermudez Montenegro, nominated by President Biden and confirmed in 2022, serves as a United States District Judge for the Southern District of California. She is the daughter of Mexican immigrants and was born and raised in California’s Imperial Valley. Before her federal appointment, she served as the first woman to hold the position of United States Magistrate Judge in Imperial County, and also served as a Superior Court Judge and Family Support Commissioner. Her leadership includes chairing the Ninth Circuit Criminal Law Committee and the Southern District of California’s Criminal Justice Act Committee. She 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.
“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,” Judge Bermudez Montenegro said.
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, beginning as a teenager advocating for farmworkers. He earned degrees from Occidental College and the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, and has served as a pro tem judge, referee, and arbitrator. A co-founder of Sacramento’s Unity Bar Association, he has been recognized as a Distinguished Attorney of the Year and among California’s Top 100 Lawyers.
“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 be held at the San Diego Wine & Culinary Center from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Registration information is available at www.judiciaryreception.com. SDLRLA works to support Latino legal professionals and promote equal access to justice through professional development, mentorship, advocacy, and community engagement, as detailed at www.sdlrla.com.
