THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES

 2026 SERVICE AWARD WINNERS

SAN DIEGO (April 16, 2026) – The San Diego County Bar Association (SDCBA), the region’s largest law-related organization serving the needs of attorneys and the legal community in San Diego County, proudly announces the winners of its 2026 Service Awards.

These annual awards celebrate the contributions and commitment of remarkable individuals and organizations serving both the San Diego legal community and the public. Winners are nominated by their peers and reviewed and selected by the SDCBA’s Awards Committee, with approval by the SDCBA’s Board of Directors.

Award winners will be recognized at the SDCBA’s Annual Awards Ceremony & Celebration of Community Service, which will be held on May 14, 2026, at the San Diego Air and Space Museum from 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. The event takes place during the SDCBA’s celebration of Law Week, which includes this year’s Law Week Poster Contest for San Diego 6th through 12th grade students focusing on the theme of “The Rule of Law and the American Dream” Student winners will also be announced at this event.

“As I mentioned at our Stepping Up Gala last December, we in the legal community know that community service and professional success are not mutually exclusive,” SDCBA President Tim Williams said. “Volunteer work serves a tangible purpose in helping someone today, while it lays the groundwork for future opportunities through experience and connections. Our 2026 Service Award recipients reflect the best of the values we share in fostering community through service, and I congratulate each of them on their well-deserved recognition.”

The 2026 SDCBA Service Award winners are: 

Alvin Gomez
Gomez Law Group
Outstanding Attorney Award
An exemplary attorney who, over the course of their career: (1) has demonstrated significant legal expertise; (2) served as a model of civility and professionalism in the practice of law; and (3) has made an outstanding contribution to the legal profession, the justice system, or the public. The SDCBA presents this legacy award to recognize prolonged service to the San Diego legal community. Must be an SDCBA Member to be eligible for this Service Award. 

Hon. Laura J. Birkmeyer
San Diego Superior Court
Outstanding Jurist Award
An exemplary jurist who, over the course of their career, has provided outstanding service to the bench, the legal profession, the justice system, or the public. Must be an SDCBA Member to be eligible for this Service Award. 

Katherine Lee Carey
Cooley LLP
Community Service Award
Outstanding contributions by an attorney, law firm, or organization to the needs of the community (e.g., charitable, cultural, humanitarian, educational), other than directly through the SDCBA. 

Mikhak Ghorban
Ghorban Law, APC
Service to Diversity Award
Outstanding service by a member of the legal profession who (1) has taken intentional and identifiable steps to advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in a legal workplace or the legal profession; (2) has improved access to justice for individuals from demographic groups with historical challenges to access in numerous aspects of the legal profession and community; or (3) has sought to eradicate barriers for historically excluded or disadvantaged legal professionals, including but not limited to legal professionals who are Black, Indigenous, Persons of Color, LGBTQ+, or of different abilities. Must be an SDCBA Member to be eligible for this Service Award. 

Vivian Sapthavee
California Court of Appeal
Service by a Public Attorney Award
Outstanding service to the community, the legal profession, the SDCBA, legal education, or mentoring by an attorney who also has demonstrated excellence in the practice of law in the public sector. Must be an SDCBA Member to be eligible for this Service Award. 

Merrianne Dean
Bellator Law Group, APC
Service to the Legal Community Award
Outstanding long-term or significant contributions that further the goals of the legal profession and promote ethics, integrity, and professionalism in the practice of law through legal education, civics education, mentoring, or service to the SDCBA or the legal community. Must be an SDCBA Member to be eligible for this Service Award. 

Stephanie Germani
Germani Law
Service by a New Lawyer Award
Outstanding service by a New Lawyer who, during their first seven years in practice, has demonstrated a significant commitment to serving the legal profession, the justice system, or the SDCBA through legal education, mentoring, or community service. Must be an SDCBA Member to be eligible for this Service Award. 

New Media Rights
Distinguished Organization Award
Outstanding contributions over a period of time by a group or organization not comprised primarily of attorneys or judicial officers, which resulted in a significant, favorable impact on some facet of the legal system, the legal community or profession, or civics education. 

“The SDCBA is proud to honor these legal community members that exemplify the spirit of unity and commitment to community,” SDCBA Executive Director Scott Carr said. "These award recipients share a commitment to protecting and preserving the rule of law, and we are so incredibly grateful for their contributions to the legal community and beyond."

The San Diego County Bar Association, established in 1899, is the region’s largest law-related organization, dedicated to serving the needs of all attorneys and the legal community in San Diego County.

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