Passing the Torch: La Raza Lawyers Gala Honors Leaders and Future Latino Attorneys

Civil Rights Attorney John Gomez middle blue suit poses for a photo with La Raza Board members including outgoing President Marco Garcia and Agustin Pena.

By San Diego Monitor News Staff

Chula Vista, Calif. — The San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association hosted its annual gala on Friday, October 24, 2025, at the newly opened Gaylord Pacific Resort in Chula Vista, bringing together attorneys, judges, community leaders, and students for an evening celebrating service, leadership, and the power of education.

This year’s gala—the primary fundraiser for the SDLRLA Scholarship Fund—continued its long-standing tradition of empowering the next generation of Latino legal professionals. The fund provides critical financial assistance to Latino law students pursuing justice and equality in the legal field.

Among the evening’s highlights was the presentation of the Service to La Raza Award to Attorney John Gomez, founder of Gomez Trial Attorneys, in recognition of his enduring commitment to community empowerment and advocacy for Latino justice. Gomez Trial Attorneys, a key sponsor of the event, was also represented by Attorney Lara Dietz, a board member of La Raza Lawyers and a highly respected trial attorney at the firm, who was honored for her contributions to both the association and the broader San Diego legal community. Other honorees included Michelle Diaz Agha, recognized for her tireless defense of Latino rights and her leadership at Bankers Hill Law Firm as well as her work with MANA de San Diego, an organization dedicated to empowering Latina leaders.

The event also celebrated twelve scholarship recipients whose passion and promise represent the future of Latino leadership in law. Among them was Melissa Moreno, a second-year law student at the University of San Diego, whose interests in business litigation and cross-border commerce embody the binational spirit of the San Diego–Tijuana region. These scholars were celebrated not only for their academic excellence but for their dedication to advancing equity and representation within the legal profession. Outgoing SDLRLA President Marco Garcia (2024–2025) delivered his final address, reflecting on a year marked by collaboration, mentorship, and advocacy. He then ceremoniously passed the baton to Incoming President Hector Tamayo, who pledged to continue building upon the organization’s mission of justice and opportunity for all.

The event also drew several high-profile guests, including San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan, who celebrated her birthday at the gala, and San Diego City Attorney Heather Ferbert, whose presence underscored the organization’s influence across the region’s legal landscape. In his heartfelt remarks, Attorney John Gomez spoke of the power of unity and the responsibility of Latino attorneys to uplift one another.

“Now more than ever, we must come together to fight for each other and for our community,” Gomez said. “The fight against anti-Latino racism is not just a legal battle—it’s a moral one. Together, we can build something bigger than ourselves.”

His message of solidarity and collective action drew a standing ovation, resonating deeply with attendees and reaffirming the association’s mission to foster leadership through service.

The gala was supported by numerous law firms and organizations, including Jackson Lewis, Gomez Trial Attorneys, and many others, reflecting the legal community’s shared commitment to diversity and inclusion. As the night concluded under the glittering lights of the Gaylord Pacific ballroom, the 2025 La Raza Lawyers Association Gala stood as a powerful reminder of the enduring spirit of community—where advocacy meets mentorship, and where the next generation of Latino leaders continues to rise.