Public defenders and colleagues back T. Tomasa Gifford for circuit court; nominee pledges to lean on appellate experience while learning civil docket

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 personal and professional background shaped by economic hardship, public service and long trial and appellate experience. She recounted working multiple jobs to pay for community college and the University of Hawaii and said she later clerked for Judge John Lim. In the public defender’s office she handled jury and bench trials, administrative hearings, wrote nearly 200 briefs and argued before the appellate courts. As district‑court supervisor she administered more than 21,000 cases in a one‑year period and supervised attorneys and staff; she presently supervises the statewide appellate team.

Committee members focused on the transition from a largely criminal‑defense background to a civil circuit docket. Gifford said she has sought advice from sitting circuit judges who made similar transitions, has begun observing civil calendars and will lean on her appellate skill set — issue identification, legal research and written analysis — while seeking mentorship from experienced civil judges. She told senators she had already contacted judges whose calendars she would inherit to arrange a transition and meet staff.

Members also asked about managing pro se litigants, dispute‑resolution skills and policy issues related to legal representation and social services. Gifford said she would treat pro se litigants respectfully, ask counsel to educate the court on unfamiliar areas of law as part of advocacy, and pursue mediation and settlement training if confirmed. She said the legislature’s funding choices for social services affect the stressors that push people into the criminal justice system and that adequate funding helps reduce recidivism.

The Hawaii State Bar Association reviewed the nominee and, through its board process, found her qualified. The committee did not vote; Chair Rhodes reminded members the confirmation vote was scheduled for Thursday, April 24 at 10:00 a.m.

Gifford said she was ready for the civil calendar and would supplement her appellate background with hands‑on calendar observation, training and consultation with experienced circuit judges.