The San Fernando Valley Bar Association recognizes the outstanding achievements and commitment of lawyers, judges, and others that contribute to the profession, access to justice, the general administration of justice, and the betterment of community. 

 

JUDGE OF THE YEAR
This award recognizes a judicial officer that has shown an outstanding commitment to advancing justice, the rule of law, and community throughout the year. This award is celebrated at the annual Judges' Night.

2026 - Hon. Valerie Salkin
2025 - Hon. Michael R. Amerian
2024 - Hon. Stephen Pfahler
2023 - Hon. Martin Barash
2022 - Hon. Firdaus F. Dordi
2020 - Hon. Virginia Keeny
2019 - Hon. David Gelfound
2018 - Hon. Elizabeth Lippitt
2017 - Hon. Paul Bacigalupo
2016 - Hon. Huey Cotton
2015 - Hon. Harvey Silberman
2014 - Hon. Richard H. Kirschner

 

STANLEY MOSK LEGACY OF JUSTICE
This award recognizes a judicial officer that has shown an exceptional commitment to advancing justice, the rule of law, and community throughout his or her career. This award is celebrated at the annual Judges' Night.

2026 - Hon. Huey P. Cotton
2025 - Hon. Mark Juhas
2024 - Hon. Otis Wright II

 

CHAMPION OF ACCESS TO JUSTICE
This award recognizes the remarkable access to justice achievements of a lawyer, judge, non-lawyer, or organization. This award may be celebrated at the annual Judges' Night or the annual Installation Gala.

 

PRESIDENT'S AWARD
This award is bestowed by the President of the San Fernando Valley Bar Association. The award recognizes the remarkable achievements of lawyer, judge, non-lawyer, or organization that has impacted the Association or community. This award is celebrated at the annual Installation Gala.

2025 - Luz Herrera
2024 - Steven Sepassi

 

DISTINGUISHED ADVOCATE
This award recognizes a lawyer that participates in the San Fernando Valley Bar Association Attorney Referral Service who has exhibited outstanding advocacy on behalf of clients of the service. This award is celebrated at the annual Installation Gala.

2025 - Richard T. Miller
2024 - Justin Effres

 

COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD
This award recognizes a lawyer, judge, non-lawyer, or organization that has shown an outstanding commitment to community service. This award is celebrated at the annual Installation Gala.

2026 - Hon. Thomas Rubinson
2025 - Maria Hall

 

SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS
Special Recognitions are awards that are given to a lawyer, judge, non-lawyer, or organization that may not fit within another award description. These awards may be celebrated at the annual Judges' Night or the annual Installation Gala.

2026 - Lifetime Achievement Award: Linda Temkin (Judges' Night)
2026 - Judge of the Century Award: Tani Cantil-Sakauye (Judges' Night)
2025 - Lifetime Achievement Award: Gary Weyman (Installation Gala)
2025 - MultiCultural Bar Alliance of Southern California
2025 - Neighborhood Legal Services
2024 - Inspiration Award: Hon. Valerie Salkin. (Judges' Night)

SFVBA EVENT BOOKLETS
2026 - Judges' Night