Judge Renee C. Reyna Honored with Two Distinguished Awards for Diversity, Leadership and Service

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Hon. Stephanie Garratt, Presiding Judge
Phone: 650 261-5109

Judge Renee C. Reyna Honored with Two Distinguished Awards for Diversity, Leadership and Service

REDWOOD CITY, CA - October 15, 2026 - The Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo, is pleased to announce that the Honorable Renee C. Reyna has been selected to receive two distinguished honors recognizing her commitment to diversity, inclusion, mentorship, and service to the legal profession and the community: the San Mateo County Bar Association (SMCBA) Les Williams Diversity Award and the Judge of the Year Award presented by the San Francisco La Raza Lawyers Association (SFLRLA) and the Bay Area Latino Lawyers Fund (BALLF).

Judge Renee C. Reyna has served as a judicial officer with the San Mateo County Superior Court since January 2019, when she began her judicial career as a court commissioner. In that role, she presided over traffic, criminal, small claims, informal civil discovery conference, and child support calendars. She was appointed to the bench as a judge by Governor Gavin Newsom in September 2021.

Since her appointment, Judge Reyna has served as a family law judge and currently sits in a criminal assignment, where she primarily handles preliminary hearings and criminal jury trials. She also serves as the presiding judge of the court’s Appellate Division, the Civil Grand Jury Judge advisor, and periodically handles probate matters.

Before joining the bench, Judge Reyna served as a Senior Staff Attorney at the California Supreme Court and as a Lead Staff Attorney for Legal Research at the San Mateo County Superior Court. She began her legal career as a criminal defense attorney, primarily representing indigent clients.

A proud alumna of UC Davis School of Law (King Hall) and Stanford University, Judge Reyna has remained deeply committed to giving back to the communities she serves. Her commitment to mentorship and community engagement extends beyond her judicial responsibilities. She has coached her children’s sports teams and, more recently, helped build sets for her children’s school musical. At the court, she currently leads the Judicial Mentorship Program and the Community Outreach Committee.

Judge Reyna also serves as the current Chair of the California Judges Association’s Ethics Committee and as a judicial committee member on the California State Bar’s Committee of Bar Examiners. She is active in the California Latino Judges Association and the California Asian Pacific American Judges Association.

In May 2026, Judge Reyna was also honored by the San Mateo County Bar Association’s Women Lawyers’ Section as the recipient of the Elinor Falvey award, which recognizes an individual or organization that advances the interests of women.

"Judge Reyna exemplifies the very best of judicial service. She leads with integrity, compassion, and a deep commitment to fairness, mentorship, and public service. Her dedication to our profession and our diverse community has made a meaningful and lasting impact. We are incredibly proud to have her serve on our bench," said Presiding Judge Stephanie Garratt.

Judge Reyna expressed her gratitude for the recognition and the organizations presenting the awards. "I feel extremely honored to be recognized this year by the SMCBA’s DEI Committee as well as SF La Raza. I value the mission of both organizations and feel privileged that in my judicial position I am able to foster the goals of promoting diversity in the legal profession and in our communities."

The SMCBA Les Williams Diversity Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate a commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the legal profession and broader community. The SF La Raza Lawyers Association Bay Area Latino Lawyers Fund Noche de Gala – Judge of the Year Award recognizes judicial leadership and service.