Judicial Officer of the Year
Presented each year at the Chapter’s Annual Institute of Trial Advocacy, the Judicial Officer of the Year Award is one of the highest honors conferred by the Southern California Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Before a gathering of judges, Fellows, and family law practitioners from across the region, the Chapter recognizes a judicial officer whose work reflects excellence on the bench through command of the law, disciplined judgment, fairness in difficult cases, and respect for litigants and counsel. It recognizes judicial leadership that shapes courtroom standards, strengthens confidence in the family courts, and leaves a lasting impact on the bench, the bar, and the community.
- 2026 | Judge Eric J. Wersching
- 2025 | Judge Laura H. Miller
- 2024 | Judge Shelly L. Kaufman
- 2023 | Judge Linda L. Miller
- 2022 | Judge Sharon L. Kalemkiarian
- 2021 | Judge Margo Lewis Hoy
- 2020 | Judge Lawrence P. Riff
- 2019 | Judge Amy M. Pellman, Judge Julie A. Palafox, Judge Gerald C. Jessop
- 2018 | Judge Christine Goldsmith
- 2017 | Judge Harvey A. Silberman, Judge Mark S. Millard, Justice Patricia Guerrero
- 2016 | Judge Hank M. Goldberg, Judge Erick L. Larsh, Judge Thomas Ashworth, III
- 2015 | Judge William Liebmann, Commissioner David S. Weinberg, Commissioner Patti Ratekin
- 2014 | Judge Diana Gould-Saltman, Commissioner Michael J. Gassner, Judge Susan D. Huguenor
- 2013 | Judge John E. Chemeleski, Judge Clay M. Smith, Judge Maureen F. Hallahan
- 2012 | Judge Fredrick C. Shaller, Judge Lon F. Hurwitz, Judge Christine K. Goldsmith
- 2011 | Judge Scott M. Gordon, Judge James L. Waltz, Justice Joan K. Irion
- 2010 | Judge Thomas T. Lewis, Judge Claudia J. Silbar, Commissioner Jeannie Lowe
- 2009 | Judge Mark A. Juhas, Judge Francisco Firmat, Judge Lorna Alksne
- 2008 | Commissioner Maren Nelson, Judge Mark Millard, Judge Norbert Ehrenfreund
- 2007 | Commissioner Nori Ann Walla, Judge Michael Naughton, Judge Edward Huntington
- 2006 | Judge John Smiley, Commissioner Richard Vogl, Judge Harry Powazek
- 2005 | Judge Richard Denner, Commissioner Gale P. Hickman, Judge William Howatt
- 2004 | Commissioner Jill Robbins, Judge Nancy Wieben Stock, Judge Christine Goldsmith
- 2003 | Judge Roy Paul, Judge Myron Brown (posthumous), Judge Wesley Mason
- 2002 | Judge Aviva Bobb, Commissioner Alan Clement, Judge James Compton
- 2001 | Judge Jonathan Cannon