Branch Awards

Awards Presented by Chief Justice

Award for Exemplary Service and Leadership
Honors an individual or organization deserving of special recognition by the highest judicial officer of the state, the Chief Justice, for outstanding service to the judicial branch. Award recipients are selected by the Chief Justice and are typically presented on Law Day in May.

Civic Learning Awards
Spotlights school-based efforts that engage students in civic learning. Award recipients serve as models that can be replicated in other schools. The award is co-sponsored by Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye and California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson.

Judicial Council Awards

The Judicial Council presents awards annually to recognize individuals and courts for their extraordinary contributions to California’s court system and the administration of justice.

Distinguished Service Award
This award honors individuals who exemplify the leadership strengths that have improved the administration of justice statewide.

Ralph N. Kleps Awards for Improvement in the Administration of the Courts
(Note: due to the judicial branch budget crisis, the Kleps Award program is currently not an active award program.)
The Kleps Award was established in 1991 and was designed to recognize individual court innovations that improve the administration of justice.

Partnership Awards

Aranda Access to Justice Award
The California Commission on Access to Justice selects the award recipient in consultation with the Judicial Council, the State Bar, and the California Judges Association. This award honors one California trial judge, appellate court justice, or commissioner who deserves recognition for his or her efforts to improve access to our judicial system for low- and moderate-income persons.