Special Session Planned to Consider Judicial Nominees

Governor Neil Abercrombie announced Judge Richard W. Pollack as his nomination for Associate Justice to the Supreme Court. Photo courtesy Hawai'i Office of the Governor.

By Wendy Osher

The Hawaii State Senate will hold a special session to consider appointments to fill vacancies on the State Supreme Court and Maui Circuit Court.

Appointees under consideration include Richard W. Pollack to the State Supreme Court and Peter T. Cahill to the Second Circuit Court on Maui.

The Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor will host the public hearings on Pollack’s appointment on June 22, and Cahill’s appointment on June 26, 2012. Both hearings are scheduled at 11:00 a.m.

The special session is set for Thursday and Friday, June 28 and 29, 2012.  Following the submittal of the committee’s recommendations, a final vote by the full state Senate will take place on June 29, 2012.

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. The appointment would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice James E. Duffy, Jr.

Peter T. Cahill was appointed by the Judicial Selection Commission on June 14, 2012.  He is being considered for the vacancy created by the retirement of Maui Judge Shackley F. Raffetto.  Cahill currently serves as partner at his own firm, Cahill & O’Neil.