Joanna E. Sokolow at a glance
- Current role
- Family Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Hawaii · State
- Judicial service
- Active
- Term and retention
- Current term ends August 2, 2028
Joanna E. Sokolow
Family Court Judge · Hawaii Family Court, Third Circuit
Biography
Professional career
- District Family Court Judge of the Hawai‘i Third Circuit, appointed in 2022 by Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald to replace Judge Wendy DeWeese
- Before her judicial appointment, Sokolow was a partner at Sokolow & Gibson, LLP (joined in 2021) and held the role of a per diem judge in the Hawai‘i Third Circuit Family Court.
- The swearing-in ceremony was presided over by Chief Justice Recktenwald and featured guest speakers from bar associations, the Judicial Selection Commission, and state legislators
Education
- a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center, and has been licensed to practice in Hawai‘i since 2006
- Georgetown University bachelor’s and Georgetown Law — J.D.
- B.A. from Georgetown University
Additional information
- Hawaii bar since 2006, Legal Aid Society staff attorney, deputy public defender, Children’s Law Project 2019–2021, Sokolow & Gibson partner 2021 and per diem judge before 2022 appointment.
- Sworn in on August 3, 2022 for a six-year term, following her appointment to fill a vacancy created by DeWeese’s elevation to the Third Circuit Court.
- Family Court Judge, Hawaii Family Court, Third Circuit.
- District Family Court of the Third Circuit, based at the Keahuolū Courthouse in Kailua-Kona.
- Judge Sokolow has been active in the Hawai‘i State Bar Association, West Hawai‘i Bar Association, and the Access to Justice Commission
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Extended Coverage Notice
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.
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 ↗
Camera Microphone Placement
Statewide
Hawaii leaves courtroom camera and microphone placement to the judge and cautions that judges may differ on placement rules.
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 ↗
Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked July 26, 2026.
Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster ↗Cameras and Audio Equipment
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Cameras and Audio Equipment ↗Remote Court Hearings via Zoom
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Remote Court Hearings via Zoom ↗Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster ↗www.courts.state.hi.us
Biography source · HTML · Source checked October 5, 2026
View www.courts.state.hi.us ↗data.capitol.hawaii.gov
Biography source · PDF · Source checked October 5, 2026
View data.capitol.hawaii.gov ↗data.capitol.hawaii.gov
Biography source · PDF · Source checked October 5, 2026
View data.capitol.hawaii.gov ↗www.hawaiifreepress.com
Biography source · HTML · Source checked October 5, 2026
View www.hawaiifreepress.com ↗data.capitol.hawaii.gov
Biography source · PDF · Source checked October 5, 2026
View data.capitol.hawaii.gov ↗www.hawaiitribune-herald.com
Biography source · HTML · Source checked October 5, 2026
View www.hawaiitribune-herald.com ↗professionals.justia.com
Biography source · HTML · Source checked October 5, 2026
View professionals.justia.com ↗