Attorneys and law firms were recognized for their pro bono contributions at the Hawaiʻi Access to Justice Commission’s 2024 Pro Bono Celebration on October 30. The event took place in the Supreme Court courtroom, with key figures such as 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 in attendance.
The celebration highlighted the efforts of attorneys who provided free legal services to community non-profit organizations, indigent parties, and individuals without legal representation. Awards were presented to several individuals and groups for their contributions. Notable awardees included Corianne Lau from the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai‘i, former dean Aviam Soifer from the Hawaiʻi Justice Foundation, Michael Goodman from the Legal Aid Society of Hawaiʻi, Lisa Swartzfager from the Hawaii State Bar Association, Nancy Youngren from 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 staffing Access to Justice Rooms at Honolulu District Court and Ronald T.Y. Moon Judiciary Complex in Kapolei were also acknowledged. Since 2012, these centers have offered nearly 13,000 consultations free of charge. Honorees included individual attorneys Christine Daleiden and Mike Goodman among others, as well as numerous law firms like Bickerton Law Group LLLP and Cades Schutte LLP.
Further recognition was given to those involved in appellate cases through the Appellate Pro Bono Program Volunteers including Eitan Arom and Daniel Gluck. Family Court Volunteer Settlement Masters received acknowledgment by First Circuit Senior Family Court Judge Dyan Medeiros.
Additionally honored were Appellate Mediator Volunteers led by Anne Marie Smoke from the Judiciary’s Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution Appellate Mediation Program. Honorees included retired Justice Simeon Acoba Jr., Judge Riki May Amano (ret.), and many others.
The event also celebrated winners of a statewide high school essay contest organized by the Access to Justice Commission. Each winner received a $500 cash award funded by various contributors including Bronster Fujikaku Robins AAL.
The Pro Bono Celebration is an annual event held during National Pro Bono Week sponsored by several organizations including the Hawaiʻi Access to Justice Commission which aims to increase access to civil legal services for low- and moderate-income residents in Hawaiʻi.