Chief Judge Irma Gonzalez Receives CWL's Joan Dempsey Klein Distinguished Jurist Award

CWL proudly presented Chief Judge Irma E. Gonzalez of the United States District Court of California for the Southern District with the 2011 award on Friday, July 29, 2011.  

Each year, CWL awards one jurist in Southern California, who is a champion of women's rights and an inspiration to women attorneys, with the Joan Dempsey Klein "Distinguished Jurist" award.  CWL was proud to present the award this year to Judge Gonzalez.

Many firsts highlight Judge Gonzalez's legal career.  She is the first woman U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of California.  She is the first Hispanic woman appointed to the San Diego Superior Court and first Latino judge appointed to the United States District Court for the Southern District of California.  And, she is the first Mexican-American woman ever appointed to a federal district court in the United States. 

Judge Gonzalez's inspiration however, goes well beyond what she has achieved on the bench.  Judge Gonzalez is a leader in San Diego's legal community and commits countless hours to public service.  She personally mentors young minority and women lawyers and law students through the Lawyers Club of San Diego, "Latinas in the Law" and La Raza Lawyers Association and is actively involved in numerous other organizations.  She serves with distinction on both circuit and national committees and effectively administrators one of the busiest district courts in the country.  Known for her impartiality, thoughtfulness, and coolheaded decision making, Judge Gonzalez is one of the most respected jurists in San Diego.