Lisa Ginoza and Vladimir Devens Sworn In as Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Associate Justices

HONOLULU - Lisa M. Ginoza and Vladimir P. Devens were sworn in today as Associate Justices of the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court by Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald at Aliʻiōlani Hale.

The Supreme Court courtroom was filled with proud family and friends of the new Associate Justices, while others watched in an overflow room and on the Judiciaryʻs YouTube channel.

Chief Justice Recktenwald presided over the ceremony, which included the announcement of commissions by Governor Josh Green, M.D. Green nominated Ginoza and Devens in October and they were confirmed by the Hawaiʻi State Senate in November.

The speakers in order of appearance were Hawaii State Bar Association President-elect Mark M. Murakami, Hawaiʻi State Trial Judges Association President Judge Kirstin M. Hamman, Judicial Selection Commission Chair Kamani B. Kualaʻau, House of Representatives Speaker Scott K. Saiki, Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi, and Gov. Green. The new justices also made remarks after being sworn in, expressing deep appreciation to those who nurtured them and supported their careers throughout the years.

Ginoza was appointed the Chief Judge of Hawaiʻi Intermediate Court of Appeals in 2018. She joined the ICA as an Associate Judge in 2010. Prior to that, she was First Deputy Attorney General of the Department of the Attorney General from 2005 to 2010. From 1990 to 2005, Ginoza was a litigation attorney at McCorriston Miller Mukai McKinnon, LLP, where she became a partner in 1996. She is a graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

Devens is the founding partner of the Law Office of Vladimir P. Devens, which was established in 2013. He practiced in a variety of areas, including litigation, appeals, labor relations, land use, and more. Prior to that, he was a partner in Meheula & Devens, LLP (formerly known as Winer, Meheula & Devens, LLP) since 1997, where he started as an associate in 1995. Devens is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.

Associate Justices Ginoza and Devens will each serve 10-year terms from Jan. 12, 2024 to Jan. 11, 2034.