STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3475

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 645

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Labor, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 645, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Labor and Industrial Relations Appeals Board

G.M. No. 645

DANNY VASCONCELLOS, for a term to expire 6-30-2020,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominee and finds Danny Vasconcellos to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Labor and Industrial Relations Appeals Board.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Danny Vasconcellos from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officers; United Public Workers, AFSCME Local 646, AFL-CIO; Hawaii State AFL-CIO; International Union of Elevator Constructors, Local 126; Laborers' International Union of North America, Local 368; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union 1357; International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 142; Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters; University of Hawaii Professional Assembly; Hawaii State Teachers Association; Hawaii Injured Workers Association; Work Injury Medical Association of Hawaii; Hawaii Association for Justice; Workers' Compensation Section, Hawaii Association for Justice; and sixty-three individuals.

     Mr. Vasconcellos received his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and subsequently obtained his Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii.  He currently manages and owns a solo law practice, where he specializes in the fields of workers' compensation and labor.  Prior to his solo practice, he was a Partner at Takahashi, Vasconcellos, and Covert, Attorneys at Law, where he provided legal services to clients from public and private sector unions and the non-union workforce.

     Testimony in support of the nominee indicate that due to his twenty-six years of experience in workers' compensation and labor laws, Mr. Vasconcellos possesses a strong understanding and experience in workers' rights as well as the rights of employers.  He has experience in working with injured workers, defense attorneys, insurance adjustors, medical professionals, insurance professionals, vocational rehabilitation professionals, and labor unions.  As a labor attorney, he has handled a large variety of labor cases, including a significant number of appeals before the Labor and Industrial Relations Appeals Board, which has provided him with intimate knowledge and first-hand experience with the Board.  He is characterized as a tough advocate when representing his clients but is able maintain a sense of balance that is based on an understanding of the legislative intent behind workers' compensation and labor laws.

     Accordingly, based on the testimony submitted, your Committee finds that Danny Vasconcellos is exceptionally qualified to serve on the Labor and Industrial Relations Appeals Board.  The nominee's professional experience will serve the Board and public well.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Labor,

____________________________

CLAYTON HEE, Chair