Attorneys who provided free legal services were recognized at the Hawaiʻi Access to Justice Commission’s 2024 Pro Bono Celebration on October 30 in Honolulu. The event honored those who supported community non-profit legal service providers, indigent parties, and individuals without legal representation.
The ceremony took place in the Supreme Court courtroom with notable attendees including Commission Chair Judge Joseph Cardoza (ret.), Hawaiʻi Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, Associate Justices Sabrina McKenna and Vladimir Devens, and Hawaii State Bar Association President Jesse Souki.
Awards were given to attorneys and law firms contributing time and expertise to civil legal service providers. Honorees included Corianne Lau for her work with the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai‘i; Aviam Soifer with the Hawaiʻi Justice Foundation; Michael Goodman from the Legal Aid Society of Hawaiʻi; Lisa Swartzfager representing the Hawaii State Bar Association; Nancy Youngren for her efforts with Hawaiʻi Friends of Restorative Justice; George Apter from The Mediation Center of the Pacific; and Daniel Vermillion from Volunteer Legal Services of Hawaiʻi.
Volunteer attorneys at Access to Justice Rooms in Honolulu District Court and Kapolei's Ronald T.Y. Moon Judiciary Complex were also acknowledged. These volunteers have offered nearly 13,000 free consultations since 2012. Recognized individual attorneys include Christine Daleiden, Mike Goodman, Tatjana Johnson, Lloyd Lim at Honolulu District Court, along with Kevin Adaniya, Amberlynn Alualu among others at Kapolei Family Court.
Additionally honored were participants in the Appellate Pro Bono Program assisting cases before Hawaiʻi’s Intermediate Court of Appeals or Supreme Court without counsel. Volunteers included Eitan Arom, Daniel Gluck, and Branden Nakahara.
Family Court Volunteer Settlement Masters received recognition from First Circuit Senior Family Court Judge Dyan Medeiros. Honorees included Kevin Adaniya, Nicole Cummings among others.
Appellate Mediator Volunteers were commended for their service by Anne Marie Smoke from the Judiciary’s Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution Appellate Mediation Program. This group featured several retired judges including Justice Simeon Acoba Jr., Judge Riki May Amano among others.
Winners of a statewide essay contest for high school students also received $500 cash awards during this event. They are Jazmine Adolfo from Keaʻau High School; Jeremiah Magallones from Nanakuli High School; Rowan Rasha Nuʻuhiwa Satta-Ellis from Konawaena High School; Daphne Takahashi from Maui High School; Brennan Yamaguchi from Maryknoll School; and Ethan Yang from Kaiser High School.
Sponsors for this annual celebration held during National Pro Bono Week include the Hawaiʻi Access to Justice Commission, Hawaii Justice Foundation, Hawaii State Bar Foundation with support from the Hawaii State Bar Association.
The commission was established in May 2008 aiming to increase access to justice in civil matters for low- and moderate-income residents in Hawaiʻi. The Hawaii Justice Foundation serves as a grantmaking organization dedicated to achieving justice statewide since its founding in 1969. Meanwhile, the Hawaii State Bar Association unites all practicing lawyers within Hawai'i promoting justice while serving public interests.