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Wednesday, October 21, 2026 · Tom Ham's Lighthouse

The 2026 Bernard E. Witkin Awards Dinner

Honoring excellence in the San Diego legal community. The Witkin Awards Dinner is the San Diego Law Library's signature event and its primary fundraiser.

  • 5:30 p.m.Reception
  • 6:30 p.m.Awards program

2026 honorees

This year's Witkin Award recipients

  • The Honorable Barry Moskowitz

    Excellence in the Adjudication of the Law

  • Robert S. Brewer Jr.

    Excellence in the Practice of Law

  • Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc.

    Excellence in Legal Education

  • Gerald "Jerry" Davee

    Excellence in Public Service

Event details

Join us on Harbor Island

  • Wednesday, October 21, 2026

    Reception at 5:30 p.m., awards program at 6:30 p.m.

  • Tom Ham's Lighthouse

    2150 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92101. Hors d'oeuvres and drinks on the patio overlooking the sunset.

Award purpose

Named for a legend of California law

The Foundation presents the Bernard E. Witkin Awards each year to honor members of the San Diego legal community for civic leadership and excellence in the teaching, practice, enactment, or adjudication of the law, and for expanding access to justice.

Bernard E. Witkin was a lawyer, author, lecturer, and California Supreme Court clerk and Reporter of Decisions who pioneered the Summary of California Law. Funds raised at the dinner support the Law Library’s needs and wish list, including new and continuing titles for its collection.

All past honorees

2025 Witkin Awards

Photos from last year's dinner

8 photos

  • Photos from last year's dinner, photo 1
  • Photos from last year's dinner, photo 2
  • Photos from last year's dinner, photo 3
  • Witkin Awards
  • Photos from last year's dinner, photo 5
  • Photos from last year's dinner, photo 6
  • Photos from last year's dinner, photo 7
  • Photos from last year's dinner, photo 8
See all 2025 photos

Witkin Awards questions

Still have questions?

Send us a message through our contact form and we will get back to you.

Send us a message(619) 531-3904
When and where is the 2026 Witkin Awards Dinner?
Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at Tom Ham's Lighthouse, 2150 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego. The reception starts at 5:30 p.m. and the awards program at 6:00 p.m.
How much are tickets?
Individual tickets are $250 and a table of eight is $1,800. You can also sponsor an attendee. Tickets are sold online through Zeffy, and the dinner sells out every year.
How do I become a sponsor?
Send us a message through our contact page before you buy tickets, and we will share this year's sponsorship opportunities with you.
Where does the money go?
The Witkin Awards Dinner is the primary fundraiser for the San Diego Law Library. Proceeds support the Library's needs and wish list, including new and continuing titles for its collection.

Reserve your seat for October 21

Individual tickets and tables of eight are available. To sponsor, send us a message.

Buy ticketsContact us