Northern California Judicial Reception - 6th Annual

Judge Judith Ford Given Rose Bird Memorial Award and Associate Justice Carol Corrigan Honored

by Patricia G. Rosenberg, Second Vice President and Affiliate Governor

CWL President Pearl Gondrella Mann with Rose Bird Memorial Award recipient Judge Judith Ford

CWL presented the Rose Bird Memorial Award to Judge Judith Ford at CWL's Northern California Judicial Reception held March 24, 2006, in San Francisco. CWL President Pearl Gondrella Mann presented the Rose Bird Memorial Award to Judge Ford. Speaking at the presentation were Amilcar Ford, Esq., Assistant District Attorney for Alameda County and the recipient's grandson, the Honorable Charlene Padovani Mitchell from the San Francisco Superior Court on behalf of the National Association of Women Judges, the Honorable Brenda Harbin-Forte from the Alameda County Superior Court, and the Honorable Phyllis Hamilton from the U. S. District Court. In addition, the members of the judiciary enjoyed a video excerpt from Alameda County Women Lawyers' "Daughters of Justice." A glowing letter of congratulations from Chief Justice Ronald George of the California Supreme Court was read aloud and presented to Judge Ford.

Judge Ford remarked that Rose Bird was an inspiration to her, and she felt quite honored to have been selected to receive this award. She stated that Rose Bird had been a pioneer for women and displayed passion and a genuine commitment to justice. Judge Ford's jurisprudence and public service is an inspiration to women attorneys. Her warmth, grace and excellence as a jurist was recounted by her many colleagues.

California Supreme Court Associate Justice Carol Corrigan was also honored at CWL's Judicial Reception. Justice Corrigan's friend and colleague, Appellate Justice Joanne Parrilli regaled the audience with humorous and touching tales of their career paths and friendship. The Honorable Charlene Padovani Mitchell congratulated Justice Corrigan on her elevation to the California Supreme Court. Presiding Justice Joan Dempsey Klein from the Second District Court of Appeal also acknowledged Justice Corrigan and read a congratulatory letter from the President of the National Association of Women Judges. Justice Corrigan warmly thanked CWL for honoring her and inspired all present with her own personal triumphant stories of her career.

California Women Lawyers thanks Bingham McCutchen, LLP for the cocktail buffet and its support of this event. CWL also thanks its corporate sponsor, JAMS; platinum sponsors Bingham McCutchen, LLP, Cotchett, Pitre Simon & McCarthy and Filice Brown Eassa and McLeod, LLP.; gold sponsors Carroll, Burdick & McDonough, LLP, and Wendel, Rosen, Black & Dean, LLP; silver sponsors Haas & Najarian, National Association of Women Judges, and Stoel Rives, LLP. CWL also thanks co-sponsors Fresno County Women Lawyers, Queen's Bench Bar Association, Women Lawyers of Alameda County, and Women Lawyers of Sacramento for making this event such a success.