17th Annual Judiciary Reception
Presented by San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association
July 2026 | San Diego, California
presented by
17th Annual Judiciary Reception
by San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association
July 2026 | San Diego, California
presented by
An Evening of Honor, Community, and Justice
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 draws 300–350 attendees 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.
- When: July 2026
- Where: San Diego, California (venue details to be announced)
- Expected Attendance: 300–350 guests
- Attire: Business Formal / Cocktail
This Year's Honoree
Judge Ruth Bermudez Montenegro
Ruth Bermudez Montenegro is an American lawyer and federal judge who has served as a United States District Judge for the Southern District of California since her confirmation by the U.S. Senate in March 2022. Born in 1967 in Brawley, California, in the Imperial Valley, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree summa cum laude from Clarion University of Pennsylvania in 1989 and a J.D. from the UCLA School of Law in 1992.
She began her legal career in private practice in El Centro, focusing on civil litigation in areas such as employment, labor, and healthcare. Montenegro later held administrative roles, including director of human resources at Imperial Valley College and assistant superintendent for human resources in the El Centro Elementary School District. She first joined the bench as a Family Support Commissioner before being appointed by Governor Jerry Brown in 2012 as a judge on the Imperial County Superior Court – the first Mexican-American woman in that position – serving until 2013, then winning election to a full term in 2014 and serving from 2015 to 2018. In 2018, she was appointed U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of California, where she handled pretrial matters, settlements, and cases in the El Centro courthouse. A trailblazing figure in the legal community, she continues to serve as a district judge based in the Southern District.
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.
Sponsors
Title Sponsor
Silver Sponsors
Become a Sponsor
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 Sponsors (Mariachis, Ballet Folklórico, Photographer, Food, Flowers) | $1,000 each |
| Photo Booth | $600 / $1,500 exclusive |
| Program Ads | Full Page $550 · Half Page $275 |
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.
