--- title: "James H. Ashford | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-h-ashford-deputy-chief-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-first-circuit-hi" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # James H. Ashford Hawaii Circuit Court, First Circuit · Deputy Chief / Administrative Judge ## Profile - Court: Hawaii Circuit Court, First Circuit - State: Hawaii - Role: Deputy Chief / Administrative Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - As of 2026, he also serves as Deputy Chief Judge (Civil) of the First Circuit Court, and has been considered for further judicial appointments - Sworn in as a First Circuit Court Judge on April 24, 2018, after previously serving on the Oʻahu First Circuit District Court — 2013–2018 - Initially appointed to the District Court by Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald in July 2013 and confirmed by the Hawaii Senate in August 2013 - Joined the Circuit Court by Governor David Ige, replacing retiring Judge Rhonda A. Nishimura - Before joining the bench, Ashford was a partner at the law firm Cades Schutte LLP, where he gained extensive experience in civil and commercial law ### Education - a law degree — Loyola Law School 1988 - Claremont McKenna College — B.A. (1984) ### Additional information - His initial appointment to the First Circuit District Court was September 30, 2013 - Chief judge service: Deputy Chief Judge - His professional background includes significant contributions to Hawaii’s legal community, both as a practicing attorney and as a judge - His education laid the foundation for a career in both private practice and the judiciary - Considered for higher judicial appointments, reflecting his recognized expertise and leadership in Hawaii’s judiciary Judge Ashford’s career demonstrates a trajectory from private legal practice to significant judicial responsibilities, highlighting his role in shaping civil and criminal jurisprudence in Hawaii ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### extended coverage notice Scope: statewide Hawaii requires news media to notify a court coordinator before electronic or photographic coverage of a judicial proceeding, including audio recording, film, videotape, or still photography. Evidence excerpt: The news media must notify a court coordinator of their intent to provide any electronic or photographic coverage of a judicial proceeding. [Cameras and Audio Equipment](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/news_and_reports/media_guidelines/cameras_and_audio_equipment) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### camera microphone placement Scope: statewide Hawaii leaves courtroom camera and microphone placement to the judge and cautions that judges may differ on placement rules. Evidence excerpt: The judge will decide where cameras and microphones can be placed in the courtroom. Judges differ on this - so please ask. [Cameras and Audio Equipment](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/news_and_reports/media_guidelines/cameras_and_audio_equipment) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/judge-james-ashford) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/judge-james-ashford) - [Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/judge-james-ashford) - [Cameras and Audio Equipment](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/news_and_reports/media_guidelines/cameras_and_audio_equipment) - [Remote Court Hearings via Zoom](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/remote-court-hearings-via-zoom-or-webex) - [Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/judge-james-ashford) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-h-ashford-deputy-chief-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-first-circuit-hi", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-h-ashford-deputy-chief-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-first-circuit-hi", "name": "James H. Ashford | KnowJudges", "description": "James H. Ashford, Hawaii Circuit Court, First Circuit. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-10-07", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-h-ashford-deputy-chief-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-first-circuit-hi#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-h-ashford-deputy-chief-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-first-circuit-hi#judge", "name": "James H. Ashford", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-h-ashford-deputy-chief-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-first-circuit-hi", "jobTitle": "Deputy Chief / Administrative Judge", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "Hawaii Circuit Court, First Circuit" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.courts.state.hi.us/judge-james-ashford" ], "alumniOf": [ { "@type": "EducationalOrganization", "name": "Claremont McKenna College" }, { "@type": "EducationalOrganization", "name": "Claremont McKenna College in 1984" }, { "@type": "EducationalOrganization", "name": "Loyola Law School" }, { "@type": "EducationalOrganization", "name": "Loyola Law School" } ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "KnowJudges", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Hawaii", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/hawaii" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "James H. Ashford", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-h-ashford-deputy-chief-judge-hawaii-circuit-court-first-circuit-hi" } ] } ] } ```