Hawaii Senate Confirms Maui Attorney as District Court Judge

Maui Senators congratulate newly appointed Judge Mimi DesJardins.) (L-R Senate President Shan Tsutsui, Senator Roz Baker, Judge Mimi DesJardins and Senator J. Kalani English. Courtesy photo, Senate Communications.

By Wendy Osher

Mimi DesJardins was confirmed by the Hawaii State Senate today as Maui’s newest District Court of the Second Circuit.

DesJardins fills the vacancy created by the promotion of the Honorable Judge Rhonda Loo to the Second Circuit Court on Maui.

“Judge DesJardins has the reputation of being a person with great integrity and character,” said Senate President Shan Tsutsui. “We are honored to confirm her to Maui’s District Court.”

Fellow Senator J. Kalani English also provided encouraging words saying, “Judge DesJardins has established herself as a hardworking and fair-minded jurist who has keen knowledge and understanding of complex issues.”

DesJardins currently has her own private practice, concentrating in family law.  Areas of of work include paternity, guardianship, divorce, custody, and visitation; child protective proceedings; custody evaluations and guardian ad litem appointments; and juvenile proceedings.

Prior to entering private practice, DesJardins served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Deputy Public Defender, and Deputy Corporation Counsel, all in the County of Maui. Since 2006, she has served as a Per Diem Judge for the District Court of the Second Circuit.

DesJardins also has extensive practice experience in the area of criminal defense, including felony and misdemeanor jury trials; and family and district court bench trials.

“The people of Maui will be well-served with Judge DeJardins’s experience combined with her preparation and even temperament. I believe the qualities that she exhibits are both rare and admirable,” said Senator Roz Baker, who represents South and West Maui.

DesJardins received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts at St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland, and her degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Puget Sound School of Law.

She was appointed to her new post by Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald.