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Highlights 2021 - 2022
In the 2021-2022 year, HWL has:
Written and submitted an amicus brief in Dobbs v. Jackson.
Submitted comments in support of the new proposed rule of the Hawaii Rules of Professional Conduct to specifically address sexual harassment in the legal community, a rule which ultimately passed.
Drafted and submitted a letter to the editor of the Star Advertiser drawing attention to the perpetuation of gender stereotypes in their coverage.
Advocated to urge our Congressional representatives to take action to protect women in Afghanistan, following the devastating humanitarian crisis after the withdrawal of U.S. troops.
Co-sponsored the "Rewriting the Rules: Celebrating 50 Years of Title 9" - a series of programs held throughout the spring to celebrate, honor, criticize, and challenge us to think about the importance of Title IX and its legacy.
Hosted a "Title IX and the Judiciary" panel discussion in May 2022, featuring The Honorable Helen Gillmor, the Honorable Susan Oki Mollway, the Honorable Leslie Kobayashi, and the Honorable Jill Otake.
Co-hosted a lei ceremony on June 23, 2022, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Title IX with featured speakers, First Lady Dawn Amano-Ige, Senator Rosalyn H. Baker, and Justice Sabrina S. McKenna, in front of the Patsy Mink statue.
Resumed the "So You Want to be a Judge" workshop series in December 2021, with a conversation with Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald on the judicial evaluation and selection process.
Served on the Joint Committee on Judicial Selection, established by the Hawaii Legislature, which studied the judicial selection process and issued a report of findings and recommendations to strengthen the process.
Promoted judicial equity by encouraging relevant decisionmakers to appoint and confirm qualified women to the bench
Discussed and began the process of implementing a Judicial Pipeline Program through the use of a survey to gauge interest and discussions with current members of the Judiciary regarding participation.
Co-hosted an HSBA Annual Bar Convention Seminar in October 2021, titled "From Theory to Practice: How Attorneys of All Genders Are Becoming Allies for Women and Changing the Legal Profession."
Presented a CLE on "Civility, Diversity & Inclusion" in January 2022, in conjunction with the HSBA, in January 2022.
Sponsored a CLE presented by the HSBA Well-Being Committee on "Strategies to Develop Well-Being & Resilience" in March 2022.
Hosted a panel on "How to Be Successful in the Government Sector" in March 2022.
Honored our HWL 2021 Annual Awardees with a Legislative Certificate Presentation in front of the Patsy Mink Statue on International Women's Day in March 2022.
Announced our HWL 2022 Annual Awardees, who are:
Outstanding Woman Lawyer: Representative Sylvia Luke
Outstanding Judicial Achievement: Honorable Dayna Dias Beamer (ret.)
Lifetime Achievement: Avi Soifer
Distinguished Service: Jenny Silbiger
President's Award: Lynn Costales
*For more information on our HWL Annual Awardees, please visit our Annual Awards page HERE.
Hosted a panel on "How to Succeed in Rainmaking" in April 2022.
Resumed HWL's popular Mentoring Circles.
Discussed and began the process of implementing a Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Program to complement our traditional mentorship circles.
Began using HWL Connect, providing HWL members with a community space to connect, support one another, and to share practical tips, resources, recommendations, experiences, career opportunites. Members can also use HWL Connect to ask for or give advice, and share other information that is relevant and supports HWL's mission.
Hosted a lighthearted and fun BINGO event via Zoom in October 2021.
HWL's Legislative Committee continued their hard work during the legislative session, monitoring legislation at the State level that may impact the lives of women and families, and provided testimony relating to that legislation, when appropriate.
HWL continued its annual tradition of staffing the Access to Justice Room at the Honolulu District Court in September 2021.
Resumed our traditional After-Holiday Goodies Drive, collecting 75lbs of food that was donated to Aloha Harvest.
Co-sponsored the POWER Act 2022 event to provide education on volunteer and pro bono opportunities to assist survivors of domestic violence.
Written and submitted an amicus brief in Dobbs v. Jackson.
Submitted comments in support of the new proposed rule of the Hawaii Rules of Professional Conduct to specifically address sexual harassment in the legal community, a rule which ultimately passed.
Drafted and submitted a letter to the editor of the Star Advertiser drawing attention to the perpetuation of gender stereotypes in their coverage.
Advocated to urge our Congressional representatives to take action to protect women in Afghanistan, following the devastating humanitarian crisis after the withdrawal of U.S. troops.
Co-sponsored the "Rewriting the Rules: Celebrating 50 Years of Title 9" - a series of programs held throughout the spring to celebrate, honor, criticize, and challenge us to think about the importance of Title IX and its legacy.
Hosted a "Title IX and the Judiciary" panel discussion in May 2022, featuring The Honorable Helen Gillmor, the Honorable Susan Oki Mollway, the Honorable Leslie Kobayashi, and the Honorable Jill Otake.
Co-hosted a lei ceremony on June 23, 2022, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Title IX with featured speakers, First Lady Dawn Amano-Ige, Senator Rosalyn H. Baker, and Justice Sabrina S. McKenna, in front of the Patsy Mink statue.
Resumed the "So You Want to be a Judge" workshop series in December 2021, with a conversation with Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald on the judicial evaluation and selection process.
Served on the Joint Committee on Judicial Selection, established by the Hawaii Legislature, which studied the judicial selection process and issued a report of findings and recommendations to strengthen the process.
Promoted judicial equity by encouraging relevant decisionmakers to appoint and confirm qualified women to the bench
Discussed and began the process of implementing a Judicial Pipeline Program through the use of a survey to gauge interest and discussions with current members of the Judiciary regarding participation.
Co-hosted an HSBA Annual Bar Convention Seminar in October 2021, titled "From Theory to Practice: How Attorneys of All Genders Are Becoming Allies for Women and Changing the Legal Profession."
Presented a CLE on "Civility, Diversity & Inclusion" in January 2022, in conjunction with the HSBA, in January 2022.
Sponsored a CLE presented by the HSBA Well-Being Committee on "Strategies to Develop Well-Being & Resilience" in March 2022.
Hosted a panel on "How to Be Successful in the Government Sector" in March 2022.
Honored our HWL 2021 Annual Awardees with a Legislative Certificate Presentation in front of the Patsy Mink Statue on International Women's Day in March 2022.
Announced our HWL 2022 Annual Awardees, who are:
Outstanding Woman Lawyer: Representative Sylvia Luke
Outstanding Judicial Achievement: Honorable Dayna Dias Beamer (ret.)
Lifetime Achievement: Avi Soifer
Distinguished Service: Jenny Silbiger
President's Award: Lynn Costales
*For more information on our HWL Annual Awardees, please visit our Annual Awards page HERE.
Hosted a panel on "How to Succeed in Rainmaking" in April 2022.
Resumed HWL's popular Mentoring Circles.
Discussed and began the process of implementing a Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Program to complement our traditional mentorship circles.
Began using HWL Connect, providing HWL members with a community space to connect, support one another, and to share practical tips, resources, recommendations, experiences, career opportunites. Members can also use HWL Connect to ask for or give advice, and share other information that is relevant and supports HWL's mission.
Hosted a lighthearted and fun BINGO event via Zoom in October 2021.
HWL's Legislative Committee continued their hard work during the legislative session, monitoring legislation at the State level that may impact the lives of women and families, and provided testimony relating to that legislation, when appropriate.
HWL continued its annual tradition of staffing the Access to Justice Room at the Honolulu District Court in September 2021.
Resumed our traditional After-Holiday Goodies Drive, collecting 75lbs of food that was donated to Aloha Harvest.
Co-sponsored the POWER Act 2022 event to provide education on volunteer and pro bono opportunities to assist survivors of domestic violence.