Reynoso Awarded ABA Kutak Award

Professor of Law Emeritus Cruz Reynoso has been awarded the American Bar Association's Robert J. Kutak Award.  The Award was established in 1984 by the Section of Legal Education & Admissions to the Bar and the national Kutak Rock Law Firm in memory of a distinguished Omaha lawyer, champion of legal reform, and advocate for legal education.  It is presented annually by the Section's Council to an individual who has contributed significantly toward increased cooperation between legal education, the practicing bar, and the judiciary.  The Award is one of the most prestigious given by the Association.

After considering 19 nominees, the committee selected Reynoso as this year's recipient. Reynoso is recognized for his leadership in civil rights, immigration and refugee policy, government reform, the administration of justice, and legal services for the indigent. Reynoso was also presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom award by President Clinton.

Listed below are a few career highlights.

--Currently Professor Emeritus, University of California School of Law at Davis (formerly, Boochever & Bird Chair for the Study and Teaching of Freedom and Equality); Professor, UCLA, 1991-2001; Professor, New Mexico, 1972-76.

--"One of the leading Chicano civil rights leaders of his generation." Helped found and was director of California Rural Legal Assistance.

--Associate Justice, California Court of Appeals, 1976-82; Associate Justice, California Supreme Court, 1982-87.

--Vice-Chair, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 1993-2005.

--Appointed by President Carter to the Select Commission on Immigration and Refugee Policy.

--Served as U.S. Delegate to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.

--Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Clinton in 2000.

--Past member of State Bar of California Commission on the Future of the Legal Profession and the State Bar.

--Past chair and member of the ABA Section on Individual Rights and Responsibilities.

--Past member of the ABA Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar.

--Awarded the ABA's Spirit of Excellence Award in 1997.

--Recipient of the UC Davis Public Service Award in 2002.

The Award will be presented during the ABA Annual Meeting in San Francisco on Friday afternoon, August 10.