President Obama Nominates Clare Connors to U.S. District Court

Today, President Obama announced the nomination of Clare Connors to the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii.  Ms. Connors was among those recommended by U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and the Federal Judicial Selection Commission. The Federal Judicial Selection Commission, which included seven members, three appointed by each Senator and a chair jointly agreed upon, reviewed more than 30 applications for the position.

“Clare's judicial experience and deep community ties make her a strong candidate to serve on the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii,” said Senator Hirono. “Throughout her professional career, Clare has demonstrated a clear commitment to public service. Her legal background spans both criminal and civil work and includes trial experience. Hawaii deserves a full and active bench in the U.S. District Court and I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to ensure a smooth confirmation process.”

“Clare Connors is an excellent choice to serve as U.S. District Court Judge for the District of Hawaii,” said Senator Schatz.  “Her broad experience and legal knowledge make her an outstanding replacement to fill this important vacancy.  With her deep background in public service, I am confident she will serve the federal court and Hawaii well.  I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure a speedy confirmation process.”

Clare Connors is a trial attorney who began her legal career in 2001 with the Tax Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. In 2002, she served as a clerk for the Honorable Judge David Ezra, in his capacity as a federal district court judge. She returned to Hawaii to serve as an Assistant United States Attorney. She continues to practice law as an associate at Davis Levin Livingston in Hawaii.

A graduate of Punahou School, Ms. Connors has a Bachelor’s of Arts degree from Yale College and a Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School.  Ms. Connors has served on the faculty of the William S. Richardson School of Law as a Lecturer in Law for the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Clinic. In 2014, she was appointed to be a Lawyer Representative for the District of Hawaii to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference and previously served as a Lawyer Delegate to the Hawaii District Conference.

The U.S. District Court judge position will become available following Chief Judge Susan Oki Mollway’s retirement from active service on November 6, 2015.