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The Maui News
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously Monday to recommend the judicial appointments of Maui attorneys Chris Dunn and Jim Rouse to the District Court and District Family Court, respectively, in the 2nd Circuit.
Dunn is appointed to fill the seat vacated by now 2nd Circuit Judge Kelsey Kawano.
Dunn has 25 years of trial experience, handling a high volume of cases while representing privately retained and court-appointed clients in District, Family and Circuit courts, as well as administrative proceedings. He has been in private practice on Maui for the past 18 years.
Dunn is a graduate of George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C., and was admitted to the Hawaii State Bar in 2002.
Rouse was appointed to fill the seat of retired Family Judge Lloyd Poelman.
Rouse works as a state deputy attorney general handling Family Court matters. He previously worked as a deputy public defender for almost 20 years, as an associate with Coates and Frey Law Firm on Oahu and the Law Office of David Sereno on Maui, and as Maui County deputy prosecutor. He graduated from Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco and was admitted to the Hawaii State Bar in 1994.
Both Dunn and Rouse were found to be qualified by the Hawaii State Bar Association after being interviewed by its board of directors.
Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald appointed Dunn and Rouse from nomination lists submitted by the Judicial Selection Commission.
The full Senate has until Friday to confirm the appointments. If confirmed, the term of office for both appointees would be for six years.