The Latina/o Bar Association of Washington (LBAW) honored King County Superior Court Judge Mary Yu, M. Laura Contreras of Columbia Legal Services, and Kevin Diaz of the Northwest Justice Project at its 14th annual awards dinner on January 27.

Each year, LBAW seeks to honor judges, lawyers and community members of exceptional professional and ethical caliber. The awards were created more than 15 years ago to recognize LBAW members who proudly represent the concerns and goals of Latino attorneys and Latino people of Washington. The award categories are Modelo de Excelencia (“Model of Excellence”), Miembro Excepcional (“Exceptional Member”), and La Comunidad (“The Community”).

Judge Yu received this year’s Modelo de Excelencia award. This award recognizes an attorney or judge who has a solid reputation for professionalism among the Washington State Bar, the Latina/o Bar and within the community. This award recognizes a judge or lawyer who demonstrates leadership and innovation in promoting the Bar and holds a reputation for fairness within the judicial community and in the public; demonstrates a commitment to teaching, mentoring or otherwise providing an outstanding example for younger lawyers; shows exceptional leadership by furthering issues that affect members of the Latino community; holds a record of professional excellence within his or her area of practice; and opens doors for Latinos in a variety of job settings that have been historically closed to Latinos.

Contreras was honored with the 2006 La Comunidad award, which recognizes a community member or organization that has made significant and lasting contributions to the Latino community. The recipient shows initiative in heightening community awareness of issues facing Latinos in Washington; demonstrates a substantial and positive influence on the Latino community statewide (or nationally); utilizes innovative approaches for the improvement of the standard of living of the Latino community in Washington; and aids in the advancement of opportunities in employment and education or otherwise for Washington Latinos.

Diaz received the Miembro Excepcional Award, which goes to an LBAW member who represents the Bar with distinguished grace and honor. This award also recognizes a member who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to serve the members and promote the Bar within the general community; exhibits outstanding leadership qualities resulting in the enhanced quality of the Bar; has extensive and active service on Bar committees; holds a record of exemplary professional behavior during his or her tenure as a representative of the Bar; takes significant action to establish or expand a Bar program; and has enthusiastically promoted and supported the Bar in the community.