Hawaii State Senate confirms James H. Ashford as a district judge for the First Circuit, located on Oahu.
(Photo Courtesy: Senate Communications.)
In a special session, the Hawaii State Senate today confirmed James H. Ashford as District Judge of the First Circuit, located on Oahu. He was nominated by Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald and was subject to Senate confirmation. Judge Ashford fills the vacancy created by the selection of Dean Ochiai as First Circuit Court judge.
"A son of Hawaii and of a well known attorney, Judge Ashford has shown himself to be an individual of great candor. With his appointment I believe that the people of Oahu will be well-served," said Senator Clayton Hee, who chairs the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor.
Ashford currently serves as a partner at the law firm of Cades Schutte, where his practice focuses on commercial litigation, including real estate disputes, employment law, construction and condominium disputes, trust and estate litigation and education law. He has tried more than 20 cases in state and federal court and is a regular speaker at litigation and employment law seminars in Hawaii and on the mainland.
Ashford earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California, and his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the Loyola Law School.
He will serve a term of six years. View the media release.
On May 2nd, the 2013 Legislative Session officially came to a close and I would like to thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve the last truly rural district on Oahu.
No Na Mamo, this year's Senate Majority theme meaning "for all generations," provided me the focus on the bills heard and passed by the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor, for which I serve as Chairman.
The Judiciary and Labor Committee focused on measures to improve Hawaii's penal code to provide greater protection for the people of Hawaii, strengthen animal cruelty laws, implement further employee rights within the workforce, and continue our effort in preserving Native Hawaiian rights.
Although the 2013 Legislative Session brought with it new leadership in both the House and Senate, I believe we made a step in the right direction to laying a solid foundation to build a stronger economy and move Hawaii forward for all generations for the remainder of the biennium.
Mahalo,
Clayton Hee
Click here to read the 2013 Session Overview.