Lourdes G. Baird ’73, J.D. ’76

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As a new law school graduate, Lourdes Baird was hired by the U.S. Attorney’s office as a clerk for the summer and was exceptional enough to be hired as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. Over the next 16 years, a successful trial and appellate litigation private law practice followed in addition to appointments to Superior Court, Juvenile Dependency Court and U.S. Attorney-Central District Court.

More extraordinary is the fact that Baird entered college while raising three children, obtaining her undergraduate degree in sociology. Achieving her J.D. with Honors, she passed the California State Bar exam on the first try. A native of Ecuador, she has been a role model to minority women who have raised children and are venturing in to the work force. In 1991, the Hispanic Women’s Council presented Baird with their Woman of Achievement Award.

Baird has served as adjunct professor of Trail Advocacy at Loyola University, on the Western Regional Program-National Institute of Trial Advocacy and on the Faculty of Practicing Law Institute. She has been both director and president of the UCLA School of Law Alumni Association, as well as a member of the Advocates and the Dean’s Council.

Starting late has been anything but a handicap to this talented and determined alumna, an inspiration to the Hispanic community who has brought great distinction to UCLA.