Former Kauai Prosecuting Attorney Michael Soong has been appointed to replace retiring Kauai island District Judge Trudy Senda.

Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald announced the appointment today. Senda is scheduled to retire in December.

Soong served as Kauai County prosecutor from 1996 to 2004, and has been in private practice since then.

Previously, Soong was a deputy corporation counsel for the County of Hawaii from 1986-1987; a deputy public defender from 1987-1989; a deputy prosecuting attorney for the County of Kauai from 1991-1996; and an associate attorney with the Law Office of Walton D.Y. Hong, emphasizing in real estate transactions and land use. He also practiced criminal law and personal injury litigation as a partner in the law firm of Soong & Feldhacker, A.A.L. since 2004, and as a solo practitioner since 2009.

Soong, a graduate of the Southwestern University School of Law, was admitted to the Hawaii State Bar in 1986.

If confirmed by the state Senate, Soong will serve a term of six years.