San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association to honor U.S. District Judge Ruth Bermudez Montenegro | State

SAN DIEGO— The San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association (SDLRLA) will honor two distinguished leaders in California’s legal community, one being Judge Ruth Bermudez, at its 17th Annual Judiciary Reception on July 30, 2026, recognizing their outstanding contributions to justice, public service, and community leadership.

The annual reception, one of the region’s premier gatherings of legal professionals, judges, law students, and community leaders, draws approximately 350 attendees each year. The event celebrates the judiciary’s contributions and reaffirms the legal community’s commitment to equality, diversity, and justice.

This year’s honorees are U.S. District Judge Ruth Bermudez Montenegro and Luis Céspedes, Judicial Appointments Secretary for Governor Gavin Newsom. Judge Bermudez Montenegro will be recognized for her distinguished service to the law, education, and the communities of Imperial and San Diego counties. Born and raised in California’s Imperial Valley, Judge Bermudez Montenegro is the daughter of Mexican immigrants Elvia Bermudez and the late Salvador Bermudez. Nominated by President Joseph R. Biden and confirmed by the United States Senate in 2022, she serves as a United States District Judge for the Southern District of California.

Before her appointment to the federal bench, Judge Bermudez Montenegro served as the sole United States Magistrate Judge in Imperial County, becoming the first woman to hold that position. She also served as a Superior Court Judge and Family Support Commissioner, earning broad recognition for her commitment to public service and access to justice.

Judge Bermudez Montenegro’s impact extends beyond the courtroom. 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. She currently serves in several leadership roles within the federal judiciary, including Chair of the Ninth Circuit Criminal Law Committee and Chair of 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,” said Judge Ruth Bermudez Montenegro.