Judicial Diversity Celebration Honoring Justice Earl and Judge Mudryk

Judicial Diversity Celebration Honoring Justice Earl and Judge

Mudryk By Ashley Harvey

Ashley Harvey is a Board Member of SacLegal, Sacramento’s LGBTQ+ Bar Association, and a consumer fraud and environmental protection prosecutor with the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office. She may be reached at ashleyharvey.fcsl@gmail.com.

On April 21, 2022, the Unity Bar affiliates (SacLegal, Wiley W. Manuel Bar Association, Women Lawyers of Sacramento, SABA of Sacramento – South Asian Bar Association, Cruz Reynoso Bar Association, Leonard Friedman Bar Association, and Asian Pacific Bar Association of Sacramento), along with the Sacramento County Bar Association Appellate Law Section, ABOTA Sacramento Valley Chapter, and Lincoln Law School celebrated the elevation of Justice Laurie M. Earl to California’s Third District Court of Appeal, and the appointment of Judge Andi Mudryk to the Sacramento Superior Court.

Presiding over cases in the Sacramento County Superior Court since 2005, Justice Earl is now the fifth LGBTQ person serving on one of the state’s six appellate courts and the first LGTBQ judge for the Third District Court of Appeals. Judge Mudryk also made history as the first openly transgender person appointed to serve as a judge in California and is the second trans judge on the bench in the State. She previously held the role of Chief Deputy Director at the California Department of Rehabilitation, a member of the disabled community herself.

Many judicial officers, attorneys, and students gathered at Camden Spit and Larder on Capitol Mall to enjoy hors d’oeuvres and drinks on the outdoor patio and adjacent indoor restaurant space. SacLegal Co-Chair AJ Wipfler provided welcoming remarks and introduced the Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus who provided a moving rendition of the National Anthem. SacLegal Board Member Lexi P. Howard highlighted the importance of the night’s event and introduced Jude Mudryk. Lexi remarked, “I’ve known her to be at the forefront of so many efforts for our Sacramento community, an advocate for intersectionality, and a friend to many. She is consistently thoughtful and an expert at finding creative solutions among many different voices.” Judge Shama Mesiwala introduced Justice Earl and provided the follow-

SacLegal Co-Chair AJ Wipfler started the night’s special event.

ing personal insight, “She taught me and so many others the substance of the law, how to run an efficient and effective courtroom, and how to do so with joy. She proudly serves as its first openly gay justice and its ninth female justice.”

Justice Earl and Judge Mudryk gave separate, moving speeches and thanked their family members and supporters. Of the event, Justice Earl said, “The celebration was a true reflection of the character of Sacramento’s legal community. The value SacLegal and our sister bar associations place on recognizing and honoring diversity and achievement among us is very special, and I feel incredibly proud to be a part of this community.” Judge Mudryk also commented, “It is critical that

the court reflects the community that it serves for many reasons, so that those who appear before the courts have confidence that the courts understand their communities.”

The hosts are thankful to all attendees and sponsors of the special night, and to the Unity Bar affiliates who put in endless effort to recognize diversity and inclusion in the Sacramento community and our legal profession. After such a long hiatus on in-person events, it was a joyous time to be in the same room together with both the honorees and numerous guests to celebrate judicial diversity.

Judge Mudryk during her inspirational speech to the large gathering of attendees.

Upcoming Dates

October 1

SCBA 2023 Membership Drive

Renewals for 2023 go out to SCBA Members

October 27

Evening with the Mayors

Hyatt Regency Hotel Sacramento

December 6

Annual Member Meeting

Sheraton Grand Hotel Sacramento

For more information please contact Barbara Souza at bsouza@sacbar.org.