Hon. Tilisha Martin, Sandra Morris, and Tarina Mand Awarded by Lawyers Club of San Diego
SAN DIEGO (June 10, 2024) -- At last week’s Lawyers Club of San Diego Annual Dinner, three distinguished California Western alumni were honored. Sandra J. Morris ‘69 received the Belva Lockwood award, the Honorable Tilisha Martin ’02 received the Community Service Award, and Tarina Mand '16 received the C. Hugh Friedman New Lawyer Award.
The Belva Lockwood Award recognizes Lawyers Club members whose contributions to the organization are outstanding. The award is named for Belva Anne Lockwood (1830-1917), who devoted her life to improving the social, economic, and political status of women and to advocating equality for all. Sandra Morris helped form the Lawyers Club in 1972 and has continuously advocated for women, children, and families in and out of the courtroom throughout her career. Sandra ran her own Family Law firm in San Diego for over 40 years, a Certified Family Law Specialist since 1980 and a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers since 1981.
The Community Service Award honors a Lawyers Club member whose local community activities have served to improve the status of women and promote equality. In 2015, Tilisha Martin became the fifth African American woman attorney appointed to the San Diego Superior Court. Her current role involves hearing dependency and juvenile justice cases related to youth who have been abused, neglected, or accused of violating the law. Currently, she serves on the California Child Welfare Council and Center for Excellence in Family Finding and Engagement and Support.
Lawyers Club established the C. Hugh Friedman New Lawyer Award to recognize members in practice seven years or less who are champions in advancing Lawyers Club's mission and demonstrating leadership and professionalism within the San Diego legal community. Tarina Mand is an attorney at the Dixon Firm representing plaintiffs in complex litigation matters, including class action and mass tort cases, as well as employment matters including discrimination, harassment, and assault. She is a Board member of the California Asian Pacific American Bar Association and the Past President of the South Asian Bar Association of San Diego.