The HSBA’s longstanding role in the confirmation of judicial nominees has recently been criticized, especially by those members and others who disagreed with the Board of Directors’ (“Board”) evaluation of qualifications of the Governor’s nominee for Chief Justice.   The HSBA Board, comprised of ten men and ten women from various backgrounds and widely diverse legal practices, applied the HSBA policy without political or gender based considerations interfering in the process.  Although the Board welcomes constructive suggestions about existing policies, the negative media coverage was unwarranted.

The Board’s procedures provide members with a confidential, not anonymous, process to safely express opinions on all nominees without fear of reprisals or retribution.  This is similar to the confidential process utilized by the Judicial Selection Commission---ensuring that members are free to come forward with any concerns.

Following the announcement of the Board’s “unqualified” vote, I received many messages from members of the Bar who appreciate a confidential process to voice their views and who thanked the Bar for its leadership during this period.  I and others on the Board also received criticism of our evaluation, both the result and the process.   Thus, immediately after I presented the Board’s testimony to the Senate,  I reached out to all members of the Bar to let them know that their opinions matter.  The HSBA is a membership organization and comment expressed by our membership about the existing policy will be given very serious consideration.

You have my assurance as your President that your opinions matter and the Board will review and modify, if necessary, what is an important mechanism for our membership to have a role in the judicial confirmation process.
The HSBA Board wishes Judge Leonard the best as she resumes her admirable service to the people of Hawaii as an Associate Judge on the Intermediate Court of Appeals.  And, whomever is confirmed as our next Chief Justice will have the full support of the HSBA as it confronts the challenges that lay ahead.

--Hugh Jones- HSBA President

August 15, 2010

"We Invite You!"

Get your financial house in order and come to the YLD’s Professional & Personal Development Seminar on "Financial and Retirement Planning 101" on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 from 12 Noon - 1 p.m. at Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel, 1099 Alakea Street, 20th Floor Conference Room, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813. The speakers with be Jimmy Bennett, Certified Financial Planner with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney and Billy Pieper, Vice President and Manager, Retirement Plan Services with Bank of Hawaii. Seating is limited so please call early to reserve a space. Deadline to sign up will be Friday, August 20. Please contact the HSBA at 537-1868 to sign up or for more information. A light lunch will be provided.   For more information contact the YLD at yld@hsba.org.