Justice Stephen K. Tamura’s name now will grace Orange County Superior Court’s West Justice Center to honor the late Justice’s legacy of trailblazing successes and to serve as recognition of the contributions of Asian Americans to Orange County and the United States.

The ceremony was held on Friday, November 6, 2020, at 11:55 a.m. at 8141 13th Street, Westminster, CA 92683-4593. The event was also livestreamed, in an effort to provide physical distancing to those who choose to attend remotely.  The video is accessible here.

The livestream of the event was broadcasted on the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) website during the regular proceedings of their annual convention.

The late Justice Tamura was the first Asian American attorney in Orange County, the first Asian American to serve as County Counsel in Orange County, the first Asian American Superior Court Judge and Presiding Judge in Orange County, and the first Asian American Justice on an Appellate Court in the continental United States. During his time on the Appellate Court, he also served as Justice Pro Tempore on the California Supreme Court until his retirement. After his retirement, he served as a member of the California Judicial Council from 1979 to 1981. He died in 1982.