As a practicing lawyer and as one of the city’s most respected members of the bench, Baguio City Regional Trial Court Branch 4 Judge Mia Joy C. Cawed has always committed and followed the adage, “Do what is right, not what is easy”, where she does what must be done in the circumstances for the best of those concerned.
Orphaned at a young age with the death of her father due to a vehicular accident, she learned that independence, compassion, and hard work are needed in life to be successful. Service for others was also impressed on her while still young.
In a distinguished career, Cawed received a plethora of awards including the Distinguished Award in Legal Development and Empowerment of Women and Children in 2022 by the University of the Philippines Alumni Association; Gintong Tala Luminary Award for Government Service, Judiciary in 2017; Outstanding Woman Awardee, Legal Profession Sector of the City of Baguio in 2016; and Outstanding Legal Aid Lawyer for 2003 to 2005 by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Baguio-Benguet chapter, among other citations.
She has been the convenor at the Baguio Justice Hall since June 13, 2022 and the vice president for Special Projects of the Philippine Judges Association as of 2022 and its regional director from 2020 to 2021. Other positions she held are: regional director of the Philippine Women Judges Association, 2019 to 2020; president, Lady Lawyers of Baguio-Benguet; member, Board of Management, Philippine Mental Health Association, 2006 to present; and member, International Association of Women Judges, 2019 to present.
She is an avowed and tireless advocate of the promotion and protection of the rights of women and children, particularly those at risk and in conflict with the law.
