Pollack Nominated as Governor’s Supreme Court Selection

Governor Neil Abercrombie today 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

Governor Neil Abercrombie today introduced Judge Richard W. Pollack as his nomination for Associate Justice to the Supreme Court.

The nomination fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice James E. Duffy, Jr., and is still subject to Senate confirmation.

Pollack was selected from a list of names submitted to the governor by the Judicial Selection Commission.

“I am confident that the core values of the constitution and Hawai’i are well met in Judge Pollack,” said Governor Abercrombie in a statement following the announcement.

“I am extremely honored by the governor’s nomination,” said Judge Pollack in a media release. “It is deeply gratifying to be nominated to our state’s highest court whose decisions can have such a beneficial effect on the lives of our island people.”

Judge Pollack, 61, has been serving as a judge in the Circuit Court since 2000, presiding over civil and criminal trial cases. During that time period, he served as a substitute justice and substitute Intermediate Court of Appeals judge.

Judge Pollack is also an adjunct professor at the William S. Richardson School of Law where he currently teaches Law of Evidence and Criminal Procedure.

Prior to his appointment to the circuit court, Judge Pollack served as the State Public Defender from 1987 to 2000.

Today’s appointment marks the second Supreme Court appointment made by the governor.  Last year, the Senate confirmed the governor’s nomination of Judge Sabrina McKenna to an Associate Justice post in the State Supreme Court.

Each justice is initially appointed for a 10-year term.