Thursday, October 23, 2025
The 2025 Witkin Awards
Celebrating access to justice. Thank you to everyone who joined us, and congratulations to the 2025 Bernard E. Witkin Award recipients.
2025 honorees
The 2025 Witkin Award recipients
Judge Roderick Shelton
Excellence in the Adjudication of the Law. The first African American Criminal Supervising Judge of the San Diego Superior Court, elected Assistant Presiding Judge for 2026, and President of the Association of African American California Judicial Officers.
Eric Alan Isaacson, Esq.
Excellence in the Practice of Law. An appellate lawyer whose briefs and arguments produced dozens of published federal precedents, with thousands of pro bono hours on amicus briefs for social justice.
California Western School of Law: Community Law Project
Excellence in Legal Education. A clinic marking 20 years of free legal help for community members across the County while training law students in pro bono work.
Homeless Court of San Diego
Excellence in Public Service. Founded in San Diego in 1989, a nationally recognized model of collaborative justice that resolves cases through treatment, housing and services.
Gallery
Photos from the 2025 Witkin Awards
34 photos
Thank you
Our 2025 sponsors
Our sponsors’ generous contributions support the San Diego Law Library through the Foundation.
Gold sponsors: Dinsmore; Law Offices of Emily E. Howe; San Diego Public Defender Association
Silver sponsors: Bernard E. & Alba Witkin Charitable Foundation; Law Offices of Casey & Angelos; Christopher Ghio, Esq.
Bronze sponsors: Earl B. Gilliam Bar Foundation; Pan Asian Lawyers of San Diego; San Diego County Bar Association; Tom Homann LGBTQ+ Law Association
Table sponsors: The Hon. Victor E. Bianchini (Ret.); California Western School of Law; Center for Employment Opportunities; Jen and Jon Gray; Homeless Court of San Diego; Eric Alan Isaacson and Susan Weaver
Centerpiece sponsor: Sandy Isaac, Esq.
Supporters: Johanna Schiavoni, Esq. and Amanda Flisher, Leadership Coach; Anthony’s Fish Grotto, for student tickets and the sound system; Leo Fuentes and Lorenda Stern, for public interest tickets
The 2026 Witkin Awards Dinner: Wednesday, October 21
Tom Ham's Lighthouse on Harbor Island. Reception at 5:30 p.m., awards program at 6:00 p.m. The dinner sells out every year.