The state Senate unanimously approved Friday the nomination of Mimi DesJardins, a private attorney specializing in family law and criminal defense, as a new District Court judge on Maui.

She succeeds Judge Rhonda Lai Loo, who was confirmed as a Circuit Court judge last year.

DesJardins, who has served as a part-time judge since 2006, was rated as qualified by the Hawaii State Bar Association board of directors and was supported by various members of the Maui legal community, including the county prosecutor.

"In her years of practice as both an attorney and a per diem judge, she has garnered the reputation of being highly competent, fair and knowledgeable," said Sen. Rosalyn Baker (D, South Maui-West Maui).

DesJardins received her undergraduate degree in liberal arts from St. John’s College in Annapolis, Md., and her law degree from the University of Puget Sound.

DesJardins was appointed to the six-year term by Hawaii Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald.