Press Release
SAN DIEGO’S LEGAL COMMUNITY TO HOST JUSTICE 250: CELEBRATING YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS
SAN DIEGO, CA — Today, nine different courts and legal organizations officially launched Justice 250: Celebrating Your Constitutional Rights. Justice 250 will take place on July 2, 2026 at 5:30pm aboard the USS Midway Museum, and represents the largest collaboration of its kind in the history of San Diego’s legal community, including co-hosts:
- United States District Court for the Southern District of California
- Superior Court of California, County of San Diego
- Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division One
- San Diego County District Attorney’s Office
- San Diego County Office of the Public Defender
- San Diego Office of the City Attorney
- United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California
- Federal Defenders of San Diego, and
- San Diego County Bar Association
While most Americans think of July 4, 1776 as our date of independence, it was actually on July 2, 1776 that the Continental Congress declared our nation’s freedom from the King of Great Britain. This momentous vote set in motion the signing of the Declaration of Independence two days later and the groundwork it laid for our U.S. Constitution.
Fast forward 250 years, Justice 250 will celebrate the history of our nation, our judicial system and its role in our democracy, and the rule of law. There is no better setting to mark the occasion than on top of the flight deck of the USS Midway, which is often referred to as a “living symbol of freedom.” Justice 250 will feature speeches on the flight deck by prominent California legal community leaders who have committed to the event, including:
- Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, California Supreme Court
- Judge M. Margaret McKeown, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- Timothy Williams, President of the San Diego County Bar Association
In addition to these distinguished speakers, Justice 250 will feature booths from dozens of “Justice Partners” such as local bar organizations, law schools, and other legal organizations and community groups where attendees can learn more about their good work in expanding access to justice and accessibility to our courts. Numerous entities have committed as Justice Partners and more are being added daily.
“The primary goal of Justice 250 is to have attendees from across our community learn about their Constitutional rights,” said San Diego Superior Court Judge Joan Weber (Ret.), whose idea for a 250th anniversary celebration sparked the Justice 250 movement. “We also wanted to be able to share information about legal resources available throughout San Diego County, with business leaders, crime victims, veterans, school-aged children and their parents, and anyone else interested in learning more about the critical role our justice system plays in American society.”
Funding for this public event is thanks in part to the Joseph J. Wheeler Educational Fund for Civility, Integrity and Professionalism and the U.S. District Court, Southern District of California. Justice 250 is also made possible through the generosity of sponsors, including Western Alliance Bank and the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA).
Tickets for Justice 250 are only $10, and attendees will receive exclusive after-hours access to the Flight Deck and Hanger Deck. Plus, there’s no better way to kick off the 4th of July holiday weekend than aboard the most visited naval ship museum in the world. Ticketholders will also receive $10 credit for food that can be purchased on board, essentially making the event free to the public.
To learn more about Justice 250, please visit the official website at justice250.com.
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