During Southwestern’s first century, the law school has produced hundreds of distinguished members of the bench. Among Southwestern’s first graduates was Justice B. Rey Schauer ‘16, who went on to serve as a distinguished member of the California Supreme Court, setting the path to be followed by other Southwestern alumni such as Justice Stanley Mosk ‘35, the longest serving justice in the Court's history, and Justice Paul Peek ‘30, who also served as California Secretary of State and Speaker of the Assembly. In the many decades since, Southwestern alumni have continued that tradition of leadership in the courts. Among them are many notable trailblazers such as Judge Ronald Lew ‘71, the first Chinese-American district court judge in the continental United States; Justice Arleigh Woods ‘53, the first female African-American appellate court justice; Justice Vaino Spencer ‘52, the first female African-American judge in California; and Judge Frances Muñoz ‘71, the first Latina trial judge in the United States. We gather to celebrate all Southwestern alumni who have nobly served as judicial officers throughout the United States and around the world.

You are cordially invited to a Special Centennial Event in Honor of the Distinguished Southwestern Alumni who have served in the Judiciary during the Law School’s 100-Year History.

“A Century ago Southwestern Law School opened its doors to all qualified applicants at a time when women and minorities were essentially locked out of the legal profession.  The wisdom of the Institution’s early commitment to fairness and diversity can be found in its extraordinary list of alumni and in the ideals of the talented men and women it graduates each year.  The Judiciary especially has been a beneficiary of Southwestern’s policies.”
- Hon. Tani Cantil-Sakauye, Chief Justice of California