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Public defenders and colleagues back T. Tomasa Gifford for circuit court; nominee pledges to lean on appellate experience while learning civil docket
Summary
Taryn Tomasa Gifford, a 25‑year Office of the Public Defender attorney and current appellate supervisor, told the Senate Judiciary Committee she plans to rely on appellate experience and mentorship from circuit judges as she transitions to a civil circuit‑court calendar. The committee heard strong support from
Taryn Tomasa Gifford, the governor’s nominee for a First Circuit civil‑calendar seat, told the Senate Committee on Judiciary that her more than 25 years at the Office of the Public Defender — including appellate supervision and district‑court management — prepare her to transition to the circuit court bench.
John Ichinaga and Haley Chung of the Office of the Public Defender both testified in strong support, saying Gifford was chosen to lead the district‑court section and later the appellate section because of her management and mentoring skills. John Ichinaga said Gifford’s selection was earned: “She’s one of the hardest workers I know,” he told the committee.
Gifford described a…
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