Senate to Hold Special Session to Consider Judicial Nominees

Honolulu- The Hawaii State Senate will meet in a special session on June 28 and June 29, 2012 to consider appointments to fill vacancies on the State Supreme Court and Maui Circuit Court. Appointees under consideration include Richard W. Pollack and Peter T. Cahill.

Judge Richard W. Pollack was appointed by Governor Neil Abercrombie on June 5, 2012 to serve as an Associate Justice on the State Supreme Court. Judge Pollack has been serving as judge of the Oahu First Circuit Court since 2000, where he presides over civil and criminal calendars. If confirmed by the Senate, this appointment will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice James E. Duffy, Jr.

On June 14, 2012 the Judicial Selection Commission appointed Peter T. Cahill to fill a position opened by the recent retirement of Judge Shackley F. Raffetto from the Second Circuit Court, located on the island of Maui. Cahill currently serves as partner at his own firm, Cahill & O’Neil.

The Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor will hold public hearings on the appointments of Judge Pollack on June 22 and Peter Cahill on June 26, 2012. Both hearings are scheduled at 11:00 a.m. Following the submittal of the committee’s recommendations, a final vote by the full state Senate will take place on June 29, 2012.