Ashford confirmed as district judge

Honolulu attorney James H. Ashford was unanimously confirmed by the state Senate on Tuesday to a six-year term as a district judge on Oahu.

The confirmation, by a vote of 22-0, came after two days of questioning in his confirmation hearing. The questions focused on concerns raised about a procedural matter that led to Ashford’s filing of a false affidavit in a 2007 real estate transaction, and on his pro bono work as a member of the Hawaii State Bar Association.

Ashford had filed the 2007 affidavit with an incorrect signature, even though the opposing attorney had called prior to the filing to advise that his client had not properly signed the document.

When questioned on the matter, Ashford acknowledged the mistake and said in hindsight he now agreed that he should have exercised better judgment.

Sen. Clayton Hee, chairman of the Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee, said he was satisfied with Ashford’s responses to the questions posed.

Hee (D, Heeia-Laie-Waia­lua) said the committee agreed that if Ashford had to do it over again, he "would have done things a little differently."

Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald nominated Ashford from a list of candidates from the Judicial Selection Commission. Ashford, a partner in the firm of Cades Schutte, focused on commercial litigation, employment law, construction and condominium disputes, and other types of civil cases. He succeeds Dean Ochiai.