Gov. Ige Selects Circuit Court, Intermediate Court of Appeals Judges

Lisa Ginoza and James Ashford. Courtesy photo.

Gov. David Ige announced the appointments of Lisa Ginoza as chief judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals and James Ashford to the Circuit Court of the First Circuit.

The governor made the selections from a list of nominees submitted to him by the Judicial Selection Commission.

Gov. Ige selected Ginoza to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Intermediate Court of Appeals Chief Judge Craig H. Nakamura, who retires in March 2018. Ginoza has served on the Intermediate Court of Appeals as an associate judge since May 2010. She was previously first deputy attorney general at the Department of the Attorney General, and as a partner at McCorriston Miller Mukai MacKinnon from 1990 to 2005.

Ginoza is a graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law and Oregon State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science. She was also senior class president at Kailua High School where she was valedictorian for the Class of 1982.

“It is a great honor to be nominated by Gov. Ige,” said Ginoza. “I am grateful for his confidence in me, and I look forward to meeting with members of the Senate as they consider my nomination. I am mindful of the esteemed chief judges who have led the Intermediate Court of Appeals in the past and feel privileged to be considered for the position.”

Gov. Ige selected Ashford to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of former Circuit Court Judge Rhonda A. Nishimura last year. Ashford has served as a Hawai‘i District Court judge since 2013. He worked as an associate attorney and partner at Cades Schutte LLP for most of his career in private practice.

Ashford is a graduate of Loyola Law School and Claremont McKenna College where he was on the wrestling team.

“I am very grateful and honored that Gov. Ige has nominated me for this position,” Ashford said. “I have tremendously enjoyed the last 4½ years serving as a District Court judge, including the time that I have been temporarily appointed to serve in Circuit Court. I look forward to continuing to serve the community.”

Both appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.