Ramona Garrett '80 to Receive Rose Bird Memorial Award

Solano County Superior Court Judge Ramona Garrett '80 has been selected to receive the California Women Lawyers (CWL) 2010 CWL Rose Bird Memorial Award.  The award, which honors judicial excellence, public service, and inspiration to California's women lawyers, will be presented at the CWL's 10th Annual Northern California Judicial Reception on May 21 in Fairfield.

Judge Garrett overcame childhood poverty and the challenges of being an unwed teen mother to become the first female and first African American Superior Court judge in Solano County.  After graduating from King Hall in 1980, she joined a Vallejo civil law firm, then worked as a prosecutor in Contra Costa County before joining the Solano County District Attorney's Office in 1984, where, among other accomplishments, she successfully prosecuted People v. Stanley Verketis, a high-profile murder case that drew intense media scrutiny.  Garrett was chosen for the Northern Solano Municipal Court bench by Governor Pete Wilson in 1992 and became a Superior Court Judge through court consolidation in 1997.  In 1992, the UC Davis Cal Aggie Alumni Association awarded her the Citation for Excellence award.  She also spearheaded the foundation of the Solano County Drug Court, which launched in 1996. 

"Congratulations to Judge Ramona Garrett upon receipt of the 2010 Rose Bird memorial Award," said Dean Kevin R. Johnson.  "Judge Garrett's career -- and her commitment to justice and inclusion --  exemplifies what is best about the legal profession; she serves as a shining role model for all attorneys and judges.   We are extremely proud that Judge Garrett is an alum of UC Davis School of Law."

Alumni Profile: Judge Ramona Garrett '80