Hon. Lourdes G. Baird (Ret.)

30 Jan Hon. Lourdes G. Baird (Ret.)

Hon. Lourdes G. Baird (Ret.) served with distinction in the federal and state courts and enjoys a reputation as an intelligent, fair, and approachable arbitrator and mediator. Following her previous appointments as a United States Attorney and as a judge in the Los Angeles Superior and Municipal Courts, she served for thirteen years in the United States District Court in the Central District of California. Judge Baird is also fluent in Spanish.

Judge Baird served as U.S. District Court Judge for the Central District of California from 1992 to 2005. She also served as United States Attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice in the Central District of California from 1990-1992. Judge Baird served as judge for the Los Angeles Superior Court (1988-1990), Los Angeles Municipal Court (1987-1988), and Municipal Court, East Los Angeles Judicial District (1986-1987). She was a Partner at Baird, Munger & Myers from 1983-1986. She served as Assistant United States Attorney for the Central District of California from 1977-1983.

Judge Baird has received numerous awards and distinctions over time. She was selected as a Southern California Super Lawyer in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution, 2010 and has been recognized as a Top 50 California Neutral, Daily Journal, 2009 and 2010, and as a Top 40 California Neutral, Daily Journal, 2007. The Los Angeles County Bar Association named Judge Baird Outstanding Jurist of the Year in 2001. Judge Baird was named the UCLA School of Law Alumnus of the Year in 1991 and received the UCLA Professional Achievement Award in 1991. She also received the YWCA Silver Achievement Award for the Professions in 1994. The Hispanic Women’s Council named Judge Baird Woman of Promise in 1991.

Judge Baird served as Vice Chair of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee for the U.S. Department of Justice from1990 to1992. She was a Member of the Judicial Advisory Committee to the U.S. Sentencing Commission from 1996 to 1998. Judge Baird served as Chair of the Administrative Office Committee of the Judicial Conference of the United States from 2000 to 2003.

Judge Baird is a member of Rule of Law Delegations in Latin America, Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, Hispanic National Bar Association and California Women Lawyers. Judge Baird received her J. D. from UCLA School of Law in 1976 and B.A. from the University of California Los Angeles in 1973.