By Daily Press staff
A high ranking judge who specializes in resolving disputes will lead the celebration of the life of the man who was killed trying to end them.
U.S. Appellate Court Judge Dorothy W. Nelson — winner of the American Bar Association’s award for outstanding contribution to dispute resolution — will be the keynote speaker at the celebration of the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Jan. 19 at the First United Methodist Church, 1008 11th St., Santa Monica.
The free event, which has become one of the largest celebrations of its kind in Southern California, is scheduled for 9 a.m. The event is coordinated by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Westside Coalition, a nonprofit coalition whose missions are consistent with King’s legacy. It is co-sponsored by Santa Monica College, the city of Santa Monica, and the SMC Associates.
The multi-ethnic, interfaith program also will include inspirational readings, music and presentations of scholarships to those involved in the community. Immediately following the program will be a community involvement fair with informational booths by local organizations and refreshments.
Nelson, a senior judge of the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, was appointed to the position by President Carter in 1979. In 2000 she won the ABA’s D’Alemberte/Raven Award for Outstanding Contribution to Dispute Resolution.
Nelson is active in a wide range of legal, judicial and law school organizations, and has served on several presidential commissions, including the White House Conference on Children. She served as dean of the USC Law Center, where she established a dispute resolution center in 1967. Nelson received her bachelor’s and law degrees from UCLA and an advanced law degree from USC’s Law Center.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 6, 2004. Read the original PDF.