Sheri Sakamoto

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Sheri N. Sakamoto is the chairwoman of the Hawaii Judicial Selection Commission.

Chief justice lawsuit

James Bickerton, a member of the Commission, filed a lawsuit against Sakamoto in September of 2009.

Sakamoto began proceedings to notify the public about the impending vacancy on the high court, and to solicit applications for the opening. Current chief justice Ronald Moon will reach 70, the age of mandatory retirement in the state, in 2010. The deadline for applicants set by Sakamoto is October 5, 2009, just 16 business days after notifications are scheduled to begin running and 11 months prior to the vacancy occurring. Bickerton's suit alleges that that provides "insufficient time for many applicants to do the groundwork and preparation with friends, family, colleagues and business associates necessary to submit their names for this vital public service position". He also takes issue with Sakamoto beginning the replacement process without discussing the matter with the Commission. ^[1][2]

The suit was resolved by pushing the application deadline to November 4, 2009. ^[3]

References