| Joan Dempsey Klein 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.
|
Award Criteria
Candidates for the Joan Dempsey Klein Distinguished Jurist Award are judged on the basis of the following attributes which are characteristic of Joan Dempsey Klein:
- Excellence as a jurist;
- Longstanding vigorous service;
- Inspiration to the women lawyers of California; and
- From the southern portion of the California.
The Joan Dempsey Klein Distinguished Jurist Award is presented annually at CWL's Southern California Judicial Reception which is held in the Honoree's home town and organized with the help of the local Affiliate organization.
Past Recipients:
2023: Hon. Michelle Williams Court, Los Angeles Superior Court 2022: Hon. Samantha P. Jessner, Los Angeles Superior Court 2021: Hon. Joan Weber, San Diego Superior Court 2020: Hon. Louise A. LaMothe 2019: Hon. Maria Hernandez 2018: Hon. Beverly Reid O'Connell (Dec.) 2017: Hon. Marguerite D. Downing 2016: Hon. Holly J. Fujie 2015: Hon. Yvonne Campos 2014: Hon. Kathleen E. O'Leary 2013: Hon. Teresa Estrada-Mullaney (Ret.) 2012: Hon. Audrey B. Collins 2012: Hon. Lee Smalley Edmon 2011: Hon. Irma E. Gonzalez (Ret.) | 2010: Hon. Deborah B. Andrews 2009: Hon. Eileen C. Moore 2008: Hon. Patricia Yim Cowett (Ret.) 2007: Hon. Consuelo B. Marshall 2006: Hon. Wendy S. Lindley (Ret.) 2005: Hon. Sandra A. Thompson (Dec.) 2004: Hon. Judith L. Haller 2003: Hon. Pamela Iles (Ret.) 2002: Hon. Fumiko Hachiya Wasserman 2001: Hon. Vaino Spencer (Dec.) 2000: Hon. Veronica Simmons McBeth (Ret.) 1999: Hon. Meredith C. Taylor (Ret.) 1998: Hon. Judith C. Chirlin (Ret.) 1997: Hon. Candace Cooper (Ret.) 1996: Hon. Arleigh Maddox Woods (Ret.) 1995: Hon. Judith McConnell 1994: Hon. Joan Dempsey Klein (Dec.) |