One of the early casualties of the pandemic was MCBA’s dinner honoring the third recipient of the MCBA Lifetime Achievement Award, Gary T. Ragghianti. It would take two and a half years, lots of work by MCBA staff, and plenty of Gary’s patience before we were able to safely gather with over 200 thoroughly vaccinated guests at Deer Park Villa in Fairfax to honor Gary.

MCBA’s Lifetime Achievement Award honors those with long and distinguished legal and public service careers who have had a profound positive impact on Marin County and our Bar Association. MCBA bestowed this award for only the third time to just such a person in Gary Ragghianti. Over his more than 50 years of practice, Gary established an outstanding reputation for professional excellence and integrity with a unique sense of style, the latter illustrated when one of Gary’s partners, Riley Hurd, brought Gary’s pink feather boa to his award speech.

MCBA was honored to present its Lifetime Achievement Award to acknowledge Gary’s
illustrious career as a former prosecutor, city attorney for San Rafael, Tiburon and Belvedere, and Marin Bar Association president, as well as the founder of a prestigious law firm indelibly intertwined with Marin’s history, where he is a successful litigator and mediator and provider of pro bono legal services to many charitable organizations, including one of the night’s table sponsors, the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael. He follows prior recipients retired Judge Michael Dufficy and beloved Judge Richard Breiner, both also past MCBA presidents. You can learn more about Gary’s accomplishments in MCBA’s announcement of the award.

The evening began with canapés and cocktails under patio lights strung among the Sequoia sempervirens. Guests were jubilant to gather once again in person, reconnect with friends and colleagues, and share laughter and good cheer. MCBA President Robert Rosborough welcomed everyone and quickly handed off the microphone to Mistress of Ceremonies Judge Verna Adams. Guests were soon treated to the extraordinary filmmaking talents of Judge Paul Haakenson, who directed, produced, filmed, and edited several videos honoring Gary with a welcome dose of humor. The program then included poignant recollections and tributes from Gary’s son Matthew Ragghianti, Ragghianti Freitas partners Charles Dresow and Riley Hurd, and friend Diane Glischinski. The honoree closed the evening by thanking everyone who attended and made the event so special for him and remarked on a long legal career that led to many deep and long-lasting friendships.

MCBA would like to thank our major sponsors of the event:

• Dennis & Susan Gilardi, Reception Sponsor
• Litchfield Foundation, Venue Sponsor
• Resolution Remedies, Wine Sponsor
• The Freitas Foundation, Friends of Honoree
• Ragghianti Freitas, Friends of Honoree

And our table sponsors:

• Dominican Sisters of San Rafael
• Heritage Bank of Commerce
• Ragghianti Family
• Sternberger ADR Solutions

Be sure to check out the many wonderful photos of the event!