By now, most of you know that Ken Babcock is this year's recipient of the Judicial Council's Bernard E. Witkin Amicus Curiae Award. This is a very prestigious award, honoring those who have made outstanding contributions to California's courts. Previous winners include Hon. Sandra Day O'Connor, Judges Jim Herman and Andy Guilford, Governors Deukmejian and Wilson, Clark Kelso and Margaret Morrow.

The announcement is on page 4 of this press release.
http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/presscenter/newsreleases/NR45-08.PDF
<http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/presscenter/newsreleases/NR45-08.PDF>

Congratulations, Ken! This is so deserved, and brings great credit to the Access to Justice Commission because of your great work with the Commission on so many of our projects.

Anyone who wants to see Ken get his award can attend the Distinguished Service Awards Luncheon October 14th in Monterey. The Aranda award is being given at the same time to Judge Francisco Firmat of Orange County Superior Court.

To sign up for the luncheon: This year's Summit of Judicial Leaders is being held on October 13-15, 2008 in Monterey. The Distinguished Services Awards Luncheon will be on Tuesday, October 14, from 11:45 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 1 Golf Course Road, Monterey, CA.

If you are planning to be at the Summit or are interested in attending the luncheon, we are providing you with the web link to register for the Awards luncheon. The registration process is very simple with this link.

http://www.register123.com/611820 <http://www.register123.com/611820>

We hope that some of you will be able to attend to represent the Commission and be there in person to see both Ken and Judge Firmat receiving their awards. Please let us know if you are planning to attend, so that we can reserve a table for the Commission.