--- title: "Joanna E. Sokolow | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/joanna-e-sokolow-family-court-judge-hawaii-family-court-third-circuit-hi" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Joanna E. Sokolow Hawaii Family Court, Third Circuit · Family Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Hawaii Family Court, Third Circuit - State: Hawaii - Role: Family Court Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## 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 ## 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/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_3c) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_3c) - [Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_3c) - [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/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_3c) - [www.courts.state.hi.us](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/news_and_reports/2022/08/sokolow-sworn-in-as-district-family-court-judge) - [data.capitol.hawaii.gov](http://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/splsession2022a/JC2_.PDF) - [bigislandnow.com](https://bigislandnow.com/2022/08/08/new-judge-sworn-in-at-kona-courthouse/) - [data.capitol.hawaii.gov](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/splsession2022a/JC2_TESTIMONY_JDC_06-16-22_.PDF) - [www.hawaiifreepress.com](https://www.hawaiifreepress.com/Articles-Main/ID/32587/Chief-Justice-Appoints-District-and-District-Family-Court-Judges) - [data.capitol.hawaii.gov](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/splsession2022a/JC2_.PDF) - [www.einnews.com](https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/584677215/sokolow-sworn-in-as-district-family-court-judge) - [www.hawaiitribune-herald.com](https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2022/05/27/hawaii-news/two-lawyers-appointed-to-district-family-court-bench/) - [professionals.justia.com](https://professionals.justia.com/profile/joanna-elizabeth-sokolow-698514) - [Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/general_information/contact/judges_phone_listing_3c) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/joanna-e-sokolow-family-court-judge-hawaii-family-court-third-circuit-hi", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/joanna-e-sokolow-family-court-judge-hawaii-family-court-third-circuit-hi", "name": "Joanna E. 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