A Tribute to Justice Reynoso

by SF La Raza Lawyers and the HNBA Region XVII

A Tribute to Cruz Reynoso by Jose Padilla in 2007 (thank you Jose)

Justice Reynoso on poverty and the law (thank you CRLA and Jose)

We extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Justice Cruz Reynoso who passed away on May 7, 2021.

Justice Reynoso, co-Founder of the San Francisco La Raza Lawyers Association and the Hispanic National Bar Association, changed the landscape of the Latinx legal community for the better.  Leaders of the San Francisco Bay Area Latinx legal community shared their thoughts on Justice Reynoso:

Cruz Reynosa was a beacon of light for not only Latinx lawyers but for all Californians and beyond. He stood for Justice in the face of adversity and public pressure. He did not waver in his principles especially in terms of protecting those who were least able to protect themselves. Despite his incredible achievements, he always remained gracious and unassuming. His legacy will endure for generations to come. We will miss him dearly.

-Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers

I met Cruz Reynoso during my first year of law school when he spoke to my class and implored us to have a plan for change.  He grew up picking grapes and plums with his family in the Valley and rose to become our first Latinx Supreme Court Justice. Along the way Justice Reynoso dedicated his life to defending civil rights and mentoring countless Latinx lawyers, including myself, making it possible for us to be where we are today. Because of the struggles and sacrifices of Justice Reynoso, America is a better place today than it was when he started his career. 

So now, armed with your law degree and the knowledge and skills it represents, you too can make history and change lives for the better. Justice Reynoso taught us that change requires more than informed debate it often requires reinterpreting and perhaps even changing the law. With a plan, you can do that too. Organize your community, start a dialogue with your Representative, work with them to bring about reform and hold them accountable if they do not.  You can make our country a better place for all of those who will graduate in the years to come. Honor Justice Reynoso. Have a plan for change and make it happen.            

-Judge Suzanne R Bolanos

Justice Cruz Reynoso leaves a vibrant legal legacy that will continue to guide lawyers and advocates for justice for centuries. In San Francisco, we are particularly grateful to Justice Reynoso for being so generous with his time with the SF La Raza Lawyers Association. Justice Reynoso was always willing to participate in our local events and to swear in our board members. His warm humility and gentle mentorship were cherished by all whom experienced it. He will be dearly missed.

-Judge Daniel Flores

Justice Cruz Reynoso was a dear friend and mentor to so many of us. Cruz came from humble beginnings. He worked as a farmworker, along with this father and brothers. From those humble beginnings, he went on to serve in the Army, then to Berkeley Law and was appointed to the California Supreme Court -- the first Chicano to ever serve on the high court. So many of us have been inspired as lawyers by Cruz’ continued leadership and presence in the struggle for equity and diversity in the legal profession and by his lifelong passion for creating a more just society for everyone.

I first met Cruz when I was in law school in Berkeley. I will never forget Cruz’ genuine smile, his quick wit and his infectious laughter. Seeing another Chicano with the stature of Cruz sitting on the highest court in our state motivated me to continue to work hard in law school even though I didn’t see many people like me in the classroom or on the faculty.

Yes, we just lost a giant among us – but we must continue to fight for social justice and equal treatment under the law. That is what Cruz is confident we would do for many more years and decades to come.

Rest in power, Cruz!

-Sergio Garcia, Board Chair, Centro Legal de la Raza

Cruz Reynoso was a giant in our community whose greatness was only matched by his humility. He devoted his life to the cause of justice without ever once taking credit for his accomplishments. We must go out of our way to tell his story, because it will help restore faith in humanity and inspire everyone to seek to do good for others. Every time I had the opportunity to be in his presence, it made me a better person.

-Mary Hernandez, Past President, Hispanic National Bar Association

Justice Cruz Reynoso was a pillar of the legal profession in California and the United States. He is an icon not only for the Latino community but for all who devote their lives to uphold the rule of law. "Cruz" as we affectionately call him, upheld the rule of law in the most inclusive and equitable way possible for all – he understood that Black and Latinos and economically disadvantage people where disproportionately on death row and therefore stood up against the cruel and unusual punishment of the death penalty in California. As a co-founder of San Francisco La Raza Lawyers Association and the Hispanic National Bar Association, and former Executive Director of California Rural Legal Assistance Inc., he opened doors and broke glass ceilings in a gentle and effective way which paved the way and opened doors for so many of us lawyers from all walks of life. Cruz should be remembered with the likes of Cesar Chavez, Mario G. Obledo, Justice Ruth Bader Gingsburg, Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and other civil and human rights leaders. His gentle spirit and humble beginnings as a farm worker and as an Associate Justice on the California Supreme Court served us all and made this world a better place.

Thank you, dear friend. Rest in Peace.

- Victor M. Marquez, Past President, Hispanic National Bar Association & Past President, SF La Raza Lawyers Association

I had the privilege over the years of meeting Cruz Reynoso on several occasions while serving on the Board of the San Francisco Lawyers Association. He always had kind words and sage advice. My heartfelt condolences go out to his surviving family members.

-Arturo E. Sandoval, Past President, SF La Raza Lawyers Association

Justice Cruz Reynoso, one of our country’s most passionate and effective advocates for social justice, one of San Francisco La Raza’s most dedicated mentors, an excellent lawyer and judge, and a hero and role model for all of us who knew him. 

- Sigrid Irias, Past President, SF La Raza Lawyers Association 

Justice Reynoso paved the way for me and so many others. I would not be where I am today without his fighting spirit and high bright and shining light leading the way. His life’s work will continue through the many lives he has touched.

-Cal Gonzales, Past Board member, SF La Raza Lawyers Association

Cruz Reynoso, on the short list of Latinx heroes, stands next to César Chavez, Ernesto Galarza and Dolores Huerta. But instead of an eagle flag or a writer’s pen in his hand, Justice Reynoso holds a gavel and the Scales of Justice. He was “Hero, Jurist, Justice Champion” all in one person, a man of humble heart, who never sacrificed love of family in his daily living. God has broken that mold, in Cruz’s passing.

CRUZ REYNOSO- PRESENTE!

-Jose Padilla, Executive Director, CRLA

"Justice" was both Cruz Reynoso's title and his life calling. He was an advocate from the time he was about ten years old and organized people three-, four- and five times his age to successfully persuade the U.S. Postmaster to provide home postal delivery for his predominantly Mexican American neighborhood. He was tremendously respectful of everyone he met and generous with his time and advice with law students, young people and newcomers to this country. We all feel we had a special relationship with him. I will always be grateful for his mentorship spanning the past 40 years. As Latino attorneys, we have the responsibility to continue to carry his work forward.

-John Trasvina, Immediate Past President & General Counsel, MALDEF

Justice Reynoso helped build CRLA, SF La Raza Lawyers, and the HNBA, all places that have been home to me and many other Latinx lawyers. So many of us would never have had the experiences and opportunities if not for him. Justice Reynoso is a reminder that one person can make a difference.   

-Raymond Manzo, President, SF La Raza Lawyers Association & Regional President, Hispanic National Bar Association

Justice Reynoso will be deeply missed by us all.

Thank you to Alfred Baltazar Baca, Mary Hernandez, and Sigrid Irias for the pictures of Justice Reynoso.