CWL Awards & Judicial Receptions

CWL Awards and Annual Judical Receptions 

Each year, CWL presents two awards to outstanding members of the Judiciary.
The Rose Bird Memorial Award and Joan Dempsey Klein Distingushed Jurist Award are presented respectively at CWL's Northern and Southern California Judicial receptions.  They are named after and presented to members of the judciary who are pioneers and luminaries for women in the legal profression.

The Rose Bird Memorial Award

The Rose Bird Memorial Award was established in 2000 in honor of the first woman to serve as Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, Rose Bird. Chief Justice Bird was one of the pioneers who founded CWL in 1974. She was a teacher, the first woman to serve in the California cabinet (Secretary of Agriculture). Justice Bird stood strong for her convictions and continued to champion the underdog. After leaving her position as Chief Justice, Rose Bird volunteered for the East Palo Alto Community Law Project. She died on December 4, 1999 after a long battle with breast cancer.

Each year CWL accepts nominees for the Rose Bird Memorial Award who are evaluated for excellence as a jurist and longstanding and/or groundbreaking public service and inspiration to women lawyers in California. Those eligible for consideration are from the northern portion of the State.

The Rose Bird Memorial Award is presented annually at CWL's Northern California Judicial Reception.  To attend CWL's Northern California Judicial Reception please keep an eye on CWL News and Events and the CWL Calendar.

The Joan Dempsey Klein Distinguished Jurist Award

The Joan Dempsey Klein Distinguished Jurist Award was first presented in 1994. At the time, it was the “Distinguished Jurist” Award and its first recipient was Joan Dempsey Klein, a Justice on the Second District Court of Appeal in California. Justice Klein is a champion of women's rights and a pioneer in the struggle to achieve equal opportunity for women in the law. She was a founder and provisional president of CWL and the first president of the National Association of Women Judges, and she has spent considerable time giving support and positive reinforcement to women in the legal profession. She is well known as an excellent judge who listens, encourages dialogue and fosters consensus. She accomplished all of this while raising five children.

Candidates for the Joan Dempsey Klein Distinguished Jurist Award are evaluated for excellence as jurists and for longstanding vigorous service and inspiration to the women lawyers of California. Those eligible for consideration are from the southern portion of the State.

The Joan Dempsey Klein Distinguished Jurist Award is presented annually at CWL's Southern California Judicial Reception.  To attend CWL's Southern California Judicial Reception please keep an eye on CWL News and Events and the CWL Calendar.