In a special session, the Hawaii State Senate today confirmed James H. Ashford as District Judge of the First Circuit, located on Oahu. … Judge Ashford fills the vacancy created by the selection of Dean Ochiai as First Circuit Court judge.

 “A son of Hawaii and of a well known attorney, Judge Ashford has shown himself to be an individual of great candor.  With his appointment I believe that the people of Oahu will be well-served,” said Senator Clayton Hee, who chairs the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor.

Ashford currently serves as a partner at the law firm of Cades Schutte, where his practice focuses on commercial litigation, including real estate disputes, employment law, construction and condominium disputes, trust and estate litigation and education law. … He will serve a term of six years.

Photo: Hawaii State Senate confirms James H. Ashford as a district judge. (Senate Communications.)

—Chad Blair