STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1915

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 726, 737

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 726 and 737, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Defender Council

G.M. No. 726	ANDREW KENNEDY, for a term to expire 06-30-2029; and
G.M. No. 737	SETSUKO GORMLEY, for a term to expire 06-30-2027,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Andrew Kennedy and Setsuko Gormley for service on the Defender Council.

ANDREW KENNEDY

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Andrew Kennedy from the Office of the Public Defender and seven individuals.

Based on the testimony submitted on his behalf, responses to questions asked by the members of your Committee, and your Committee's review of him and his qualifications, your Committee finds that Mr. Kennedy's experience and background as a criminal defense attorney qualify him for appointment to the Defender Council. Your Committee notes that Mr. Kennedy earned his Bachelor's degree from Villanova University and his Juris Doctor from the Suffolk University School of Law. Your Committee further notes that Mr. Kennedy has been licensed to practice law since 2003 and is licensed to practice in several jurisdictions, including Hawaiʻi, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and New York. Mr. Kennedy is currently a partner at Schlueter, Kwiat, & Kennedy LLLP, where he is responsible for representing clients in federal and state criminal matters. Before working at Schlueter, Kwiat, & Kennedy LLLP, Mr. Kennedy was a Deputy Public Defender for the Office of the Public Defender, where he litigated criminal matters ranging from narcotics offenses to crimes against persons or property rights, and conducted numerous felony trails in circuit court in the State. Mr. Kennedy is also an active member of other professional organizations. He is currently a member of the Hawaiʻi State Criminal Jury Instruction Committee, and previously served as a Federal Delegate for the United States District Court from 2022 to 2024, and Vice President and President of the West Hawaiʻi Bar Association. Your Committee therefore recommends that Andrew Kennedy be appointed to the Defender Council based on his background, knowledge, and extensive experience as a criminal defense attorney.

SETSUKO GORMLEY

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Setsuko Gormley from the Office of the Public Defender and six individuals.

Based on the testimony submitted on her behalf, responses to questions asked by the members of your Committee, and your Committee's review of her and her qualifications, your Committee finds that Ms. Gormley's experience, knowledge, and proven leadership on the Defender Council qualify her for reappointment to the Defender Council. Your Committee notes that Ms. Gormley earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and East Asian Languages and Culture from the University of Southern California and her Juris Doctor from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan. Your Committee further notes that Ms. Gormley has been licensed to practice law since 2007 and is licensed in California, Hawaiʻi, and Nevada. Ms. Gormley currently works as a solo practitioner, where she primarily focuses on criminal defense, family law, and immigration. Before starting her solo practice, Ms. Gormley worked as a Legislative Attorney for the Office of Council Services for Maui County and a Deputy Public Defender for the Office of the Public Defender, where she represented clients in state appellate court proceedings, drafted appellate briefs, and represented defendants in state district and circuit courts. Your Committee also notes that Ms. Gormley is an active member in several professional organizations. She has served as Treasurer for the American Immigration Lawyers Association since 2015 and currently serves on the Defender Council, where she lends her experience as a defense attorney and former Deputy Public Defender. Your Committee therefore recommends that Setsuko Gormley be reappointed to the Defender Council based on her experience, knowledge, and proven leadership on the Defender Council.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that are attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominees, has found the nominees to be qualified for the positions to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nominations.

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

____________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair