New honor for Public Defender Judge

 

NEWS RELEASE

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES 

                                             Contact:  Judy Hammond, Director of Public Affairs, (213) 974-1363

        Brian Lew, Assistant Director, (213) 974-1652  

 

                                                                                                                                        Nov. 10, 2008   

 

NEW HONOR FOR PUBLIC DEFENDER MICHAEL JUDGE

Los Angeles County Public Defender Michael Judge will receive the prestigious Reginald Heber Smith Award at the annual convention of the National Legal Aid and Defenders Association in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 21.

 

The award, known as the “Reggie,” recognizes the dedicated services and outstanding achievements of a civil legal aid attorney or an indigent defense attorney employed by an organization supporting such services.

 

James P. Fox, San Mateo County district attorney and chairman of the board of the National District Attorneys’ Association, in a letter supporting Judge’s nomination for the award, said:  “He really does exemplify, through his record of exceptional advocacy, leadership and dedication, the very best the equal justice community has to offer.”

 

“ I have always been impressed with Mr. Judge’s intellect and integrity.  He is a passionate advocate with realistic goals.”

 

Michael E. Cantrall, executive director of the California Public Defenders Association, who also supported Judge’s nomination, called him “the most dynamic, energetic and effective leader in the defense community I have ever had the pleasure of working with.”

 

“I have never met anyone in our community as effective as he has been in getting our colleagues from around the state to join in on a wide variety of criminal justice issues that brought about real and measurable effects,” said Cantrall.

 

And Daniel Swanson, counsel to Sen. Richard J. Durbin of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, who also supported Judge’s nomination, cited Judge’s instrumental role in the 2008 passage of the John R. Justice Act.  “The John R. Justice Act is one of the most significant pieces of federal legislation benefiting public defenders to have been enacted in recent years,” said Durbin.  The legislation encourages law school graduates to choose a public service career by providing student loan repayment assistance for public defenders and state and local prosecutors.

 

The new honor is Judge’s fourth major recognition this year. The Daily Journal named him one of the top 100 lawyers in the state in September; California Lawyer Magazine named him one of its Attorneys of the Year in April; the State Bar of California selected him for its 2008 Diversity Award in July; and in August it was announced the Public Defender’s Office was part of a six-agency California team chosen to participate in a select national effort to improve the legal system for indigent youth.

 

Judge, 64, joined the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office more than 35 years ago and was named public defender by the Board of Supervisors in May 1994.

 

--lacounty.gov--