Deputy AGs Urged Ige to Reappoint Suzuki

CB: … Doug Chin was Ige’s attorney general for most of his first term and gained national attention for representing Hawaii in challenges to President Donald Trump’s travel ban. Chin then served as lieutenant governor before making an unsuccessful run for Congress.

Ige said Thursday the Trump administration has continued to introduce policies that don’t match the values or views of Hawaii. But he added that Connors’ primary duty wouldn’t be to challenge the administration.

“We’d have to look at those issues as they come up,” Ige said. “She’d be working on behalf of the people.”

Ige’s appointment comes several days after a letter circulated among the deputy attorneys general stating their support for Suzuki and urging the governor to reappoint him.

“It is difficult to imagine our department without Russell at the helm. He keeps our department running smoothly and provides the necessary guidance and support to the supervisors of the divisions. Our supervisors are effective leaders, in large part because of the example that Russell sets,” the letter said….

read … Ige Selects Trial Lawyer To Be Hawaii’s New Attorney General

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GOVERNOR IGE ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL

News Release from Office of the Governor, Jan 3, 2019

Link to photo and resume here.

HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige announced today that he is appointing Clare Connors to be the attorney general of the State of Hawaiʻi, subject to senate confirmation.

Connors is an experienced criminal and civil litigator who is leaving the law firm of Davis Levin Livingston where she has represented a variety of clients since October 2011 to take this position. She began her legal career in Hawaiʻi as a law clerk for federal District Judge David Ezra and was an Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Hawaiʻi from 2004 to March 2011. Prior to that she was part of the Attorney General’s Honors program with the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Washington, D.C., and worked as a trial attorney for the DOJ Tax Division. Connors holds two B.A. degrees from Yale College, one in ethics, politics and economics and the other in international studies. She earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School.

“Clare is an accomplished attorney who has experience with both criminal and civil litigation. She has the skills to defend the state in legal proceedings, provide outstanding legal advice and counsel, and manage the largest law firm in the state. She will be a tremendous asset as the chief legal officer and chief law enforcement officer of the State of Hawaiʻi,” said Gov. Ige.

“I am humbled by Gov. Ige’s nomination and honored to serve the people of the State of Hawai‘i. I look forward to joining the Deputy Attorney Generals and professional staff and to contributing to the important work of the office,” said Connors.

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Flashback 2015: Claire Connors Nominated for Federal Bench by Senators' Judicial Selection Commission

2016: Senate runs down the clock