Senate Special Session Rubber Stamps Four Oahu Circuit Court Nominees

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Today, the Hawaiʻi State Senate voted to confirm the Governor’s Circuit Court appointments of Rebecca A. Copeland, Brian A. Costa, Dyan M. Medeiros, and Steven R. Nichols to the Circuit Court of the First Circuit (island of Oʻahu). Earlier in the week, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on each appointment, and all testimony received for Copeland, Costa, Medeiros, and Nichols was in support of their appointments. Each of the new judges was deemed “Qualified” by the Hawaiʻi State Bar Association.

“All four appointees demonstrated the experience, curiosity, and commitment required of a judge,” said Senator Karl Rhoads (Senate District 13, Dowsett Highlands, Puʻunui, Nuʻuanu, Pacific Heights, Pauoa, Punchbowl, Pālama, Liliha, Iwilei, Chinatown, and Downtown), Chair of the Senate Committee on Judiciary. “After having met with Judge Copeland, Judge Costa, Judge Medeiros, and Judge Nichols, I am confident that each will serve our State with honor and integrity, and I extend my sincerest mahalo and congratulations to them all.”

Rebecca A. Copeland has been confirmed to the Circuit Court of the First Circuit as a Circuit Court Judge. Copeland will succeed Judge Gary Chang, who is retiring at the end of June 2024. Copeland served as a District Family Court Judge for the Family Court of the First Circuit since 2020. Between 2016-2020, she served as a Per Diem District Court Judge. Copeland has experience in operating the Law Office of Rebecca A. Copeland, LLC, working for Damon Key Leong Kupchak Hastert, and as Adjunct Professor for the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, St. Mary’s University School of Law (in San Antonio), and Texas A&M University-San Antonio. Additionally, Copeland has served as Deputy Solicitor General, Appellate Division, for the State of Hawaiʻi Department of the Attorney General and was a law clerk for Hawaiʻi Intermediate Court of Appeals. Copeland received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Southwest Texas State University and a Juris Doctorate from St. Mary’s University School of Law.

Brian A. Costa has been confirmed to the Circuit Court of the First Circuit as a Circuit Court Judge and will succeed Judge Jeffrey Crabtree, who retired in January 2024. Costa has served as a District Family Court Judge for the Family Court of the First Circuit since 2017 and most recently as the Lead Judge of the Juvenile Division and Presiding Judge of Juvenile Drug Court. Between 2015-2017, he served as a Per Diem District Court Judge. Costa’s professional experience includes being an attorney, member, and manager of the law firm Costa & DeLacy, LLLC, serving as a Honolulu Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, and working as an associate for Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel. Costa additionally was a law clerk for Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Associate Justice Simeon R. Acoba, Jr. Costa received an Associate Degree in Applied Sciences in Business Administration from Erie Community College in Buffalo, NY, a Bachelor of Science in Management from Hawaiʻi Pacific University, and a Juris Doctorate from the William S. Richardson School of Law.

Dyan M. Medeiros has been confirmed to the Circuit Court of the First Circuit as a Circuit Court Judge. Medeiros will succeed Judge R. Mark Browning who retired in December 2023. Medeiros has served as a District Family Court Judge for the Family Court of the First Circuit since 2015 and most recently as the Lead Judge of the Domestic Division and Presiding Judge of Girls Court. Prior to serving as a Judge, Medeiros was a partner with Kleintop, Luria & Medeiros, an associate attorney with Stirling & Kleintop, and an associate attorney with Damon Key Leong Kupchak Hastert. Medeiros received a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and received a Juris Doctorate from the William S. Richardson School of Law.

Steven R. Nichols has been confirmed to the Circuit Court of the First Circuit as a Circuit Court Judge. Nichols will succeed Judge Edward Kubo who retired in December 2019. Most recently, Nichols served as a Per Diem Judge for the Family Court of the First Circuit and operates the Law Office of Steven R. Nichols. Nichols previously served as Deputy Public Defender for twenty years and was a law clerk for First Circuit Judge Dexter Del Rosario. Nichols received a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and a Juris Doctorate from the William S. Richardson School of Law.

SENATE TO CONVENE FOR SPECIAL SESSION TO CONSIDER FOUR JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Next week, the Hawaiʻi State Senate will convene a special session to review the judicial appointments of Rebecca A. Copeland, Brian A. Costa, Dyan M. Medeiros, and Steven R. Nichols to the Circuit Court of the First Circuit (island of Oʻahu).

The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senator Karl Rhoads (Senate District 13, Dowsett Highlands, Puʻunui, Nuʻunau, Pacific Heights, Pauoa, Punchbowl, Pālama, Liliha, Iwilei, Chinatown, and Downtown), will hold a public hearing on the appointees on Monday, June 24, 2024, starting at 10:30 a.m.

The Senate will convene in floor session on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. This will be followed by a separate decision-making meeting of the Judiciary Committee at 11:45 a.m. Final Senate votes on the appointments are expected on Thursday, June 27, 2024, during the floor session that is expected to start at 11:00 a.m.

Rebecca A. Copeland has served as a District Family Court Judge for the Family Court of the First Circuit since 2020. Between 2016-2020, she served as a Per Diem District Court Judge. Copeland has experience in operating the Law Office of Rebecca A. Copeland, LLC, working for Damon Key Leong Kupchak Hastert, and as Adjunct Professor for the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, St. Mary’s University School of Law (in San Antonio), and Texas A&M University-San Antonio. Additionally, Copeland has served as Deputy Solicitor General, Appellate Division, for the State of Hawaiʻi Department of the Attorney General. Copeland received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Southwest Texas State University and a Juris Doctorate from St. Mary’s University School of Law.

Brian A. Costa has served as a District Family Court Judge for the Family Court of the First Circuit since 2017 and currently is the Lead Judge of the Juvenile Division and Presiding Judge of Juvenile Drug Court. Between 2015-2017, he served as a Per Diem District Court Judge. Costa’s professional experience includes being an attorney, member, and manager of the law firm Costa & DeLacy, LLLC, serving as a Honolulu Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, and working as an associate for Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel. Costa additionally was a law clerk for Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Associate Justice Simeon R. Acoba, Jr. Costa received an Associate’s Degree in Applied Sciences in Business Administration from Erie Community College in Buffalo, NY, a Bachelor of Science in Management from Hawaiʻi Pacific University, and a Juris Doctorate from the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

Dyan M. Medeiros has served as a District Family Court Judge for the Family Court of the First Circuit since 2015 and currently is the Lead Judge of the Domestic Division and Presiding Judge of Girls Court. Prior to serving as a Judge, Medeiros was a partner with Kleintop, Luria & Medeiros, an associate attorney with Stirling & Kleintop, and an associate attorney with Damon Key Leong Kupchak Hastert. Medeiros received a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and received a Juris Doctorate from the William S. Richardson School of Law.

Steven R. Nichols currently serves as a Per Diem Judge for the Family Court of the First Circuit and operates the Law Office of Steven R. Nichols. Nichols previously served as Deputy Public Defender for twenty years and was a law clerk for First Circuit Judge Dexter Del Rosario. Nichols received a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and a Juris Doctorate from the William S. Richardson School of Law.

The hearing notice can be viewed here and includes instructions on how to submit testimony. The public hearing and floor sessions will be broadcast on the Senate YouTube page. More information about the special session is available at the 2024 Senate Special Session webpage on the Legislature's website, www.capitol.hawaii.gov.

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HONOLULU — Governor Josh Green, M.D., has appointed four individuals to First Circuit Court vacancies on O‘ahu….

Judges for the Circuit Court of the First Circuit (island of O‘ahu, in alphabetical order):

Rebecca Copeland currently serves as a District Family Court Judge. She was the lead judge for the Special Division and presiding judge for the Truancy Court and Early Education Intervention Program. Prior to serving as a judge, she ran her own law practice and previously worked at several other law offices. Copeland has also served as an adjunct professor at several law schools, including the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa William S. Richardson School of Law. She is a graduate of St. Mary’s University School of Law.

Brian Costa currently serves as a District Family Court Judge. He has presided over matters such as divorce, annulment, paternity, petitions for orders of protection, juvenile delinquency, and much more. Prior to serving as a judge, he worked as an Attorney Member Manager at Costa & DeLacy. Costa is a graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa William S. Richardson School of Law.

Dyan Medeiros currently serves as a District Family Court Judge. She is the lead judge of the Domestic Division where she presides over divorce cases. Previously she was assigned to the Juvenile Division and presided over juvenile criminal cases and child welfare neglect cases. She also was assigned to the Special Division and presided over paternity, temporary restraining order, adoption and guardianship cases, and more. Prior to becoming a judge, she was a partner at Kleintop, Luria & Medeiros LLLP. She is a graduate of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, William S. Richardson School of Law.

Steven Nichols is currently a per diem District Family Court Judge. He also is in private practice with the Law Office of Steven R. Nichols where he focuses on criminal defense cases. Prior to that, he worked as a Deputy Public Defender for the Office of the Public Defender. He is a graduate of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, William S. Richardson School of Law.

The vacancies being filled by these appointees resulted from the retirements of Circuit Judges Jeffery P. Crabtree in January 2024, Robert M. Browning in December 2023, and Edward H. Kubo, Jr. in December, 2019. A fourth vacancy will occur in June 2024 with the retirement of Judge Gary W.B. Chang.

The appointments are subject to confirmation by the state Senate, after which confirmed judges will be sworn in and seated.

HONOLULU ̶ Governor Josh Green, M.D., will name four judges to fill vacancies on the Circuit Court of the First Circuit (O‘ahu), from a list of seven nominees he received from the Judicial Selection Commission.

A fourth vacancy will occur in June 2024 with the retirement of Circuit Judge Gary W.B. Chang.

The Judicial Selection Commission provided the list of nominees to the Governor after a thorough review of the backgrounds and qualifications of all applicants.

The Governor has 30 days from his receipt of the list on May 3, 2024, until Monday June 3, 2024, to make his appointment. The nominations are subject to confirmation by the state Senate.

Under the Constitution of the State of Hawaiʻi, Article VI, Appointment of Justices and Judges, Section 3: “The governor, with the consent of the senate, shall fill a vacancy in the office of the chief justice, supreme court, intermediate appellate court and circuit courts, by appointing a person from a list of not less than four, and not more than six, nominees for the vacancy, presented to the governor by the judicial selection commission.”

The Judicial Selection Commission is pleased to announce a list of nominees for the judicial vacancy of Circuit Judge, Circuit Court of the First Circuit (island of Oʻahu), State of Hawaiʻi. The judicial office has been vacant since the retirement of Circuit Judge Edward H. Kubo, Jr. in December 2019.

The list of nominees selected by the Commission to fill the vacancy for the judicial office of Circuit Judge in the Circuit Court of the First Circuit are listed as follows in alphabetical order:

Lance D. Collins
Brian A. Costa
Harvey M. Demetrakopoulos
Dyan M. Medeiros
Steven R. Nichols

The Governor has 30 days from his receipt of the list today to make his appointment

Government Attorneys: 10
Private Attorneys: 7
Judges: 5
Per Diem Judges: 1
Other: 2

Vacancy was advertised in October 2019 for a total of 90 days. Meetings held in October 2020 but list was not delivered.
Vacancy re-advertised in October 2023 for a total of 180 days.
Meetings held in April and May 2024 and decision made in May 2024 with 9 Commissioners present.

The Judicial Selection Commission is pleased to announce a list of nominees for the judicial office of Circuit Judge, Circuit Court of the First Circuit (island of Oʻahu), State of Hawaiʻi. The judicial office will become vacant upon the retirement of Circuit Judge Gary W. B. Chang in June 2024.

The list of nominees selected by the Commission to fill the vacancy for the judicial office of Circuit Judge in the Circuit Court of the First Circuit are listed as follows in alphabetical order:

Rebecca A. Copeland
Brian A. Costa
Harvey M. Demetrakopoulos
Dyan M. Medeiros
Steven R. Nichols

The Governor has 30 days from his receipt of the list today to make his appointment.

Government Attorneys: 10
Private Attorneys: 7
Judges: 5
Per Diem Judges: 1
Other: 2

Meetings held in April and May 2024 and decision made in May 2024 with 9 Commissioners present.
Vacancy advertised for a total of 90 days.

The list of nominees selected by the Commission to fill the vacancy for the judicial office of Circuit Judge in the Circuit Court of the First Circuit are listed as follows in alphabetical order:

The Governor has 30 days from his receipt of the list today to make his appointment.

Government Attorneys: 10
Private Attorneys: 7
Judges: 5
Per Diem Judges: 1
Other: 2

Meetings held in April and May 2024 and decision made in May 2024 with 9 Commissioners present.
Vacancy advertised for a total of 180 days.

The list of nominees selected by the Commission to fill the vacancy for the judicial office of Circuit Judge in the Circuit Court of the First Circuit are listed as follows in alphabetical order:

Brian A. Costa
Harvey M. Demetrakopoulos
Timothy E. Ho
Dyan M. Medeiros
Steven R. Nichols

The Governor has 30 days from his receipt of the list today to make his appointment.

Government Attorneys: 10
Private Attorneys: 7
Judges: 5
Per Diem Judges: 1
Other: 2

Meetings held in April and May 2024 and decision made in May 2024 with 9 Commissioners present.
Vacancy advertised for a total of 90 days.