--- title: "John S.W. Lim | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-s-w-lim-7203" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # John S.W. Lim Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals · Judge ## Profile - Court: Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals - State: Hawaii - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals, 1999-present - John S.W. Lim held the role of an associate judge of the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals from his 1999 appointment by Governor Ben Cayetano until his death on June 13, 2007, aged 55 - His judicial career began in 1993 when Chief Justice Ronald Moon appointed him as a District Family Court judge in Honolulu The Honolulu Advertiser. - Colleagues and community leaders remembered him as courageous, intelligent, and committed to justice, with his legacy extending through his judicial work and volunteer legal initiatives ### Education - Harvard University — B.A. - Stanford University — J.D. ### Additional information - Distinguished Hawaii appellate judge, recognized for his legal scholarship, judicial service, and community leadership, who passed away in 2007 at age 55 - In 1995, then-Governor Ben Cayetano appointed him to the Circuit Court, and in 1999 he was elevated to the Hawaiʻi Intermediate Court of Appeals for a 10‐year term - Practitioner, 1998-1998 - Cayetano appointed him to the circuit bench in 1995 and to the appellate court four years later. - Lim was born in 1952 and completed studies at Farrington High School, Harvard College, and Stanford Law School. - Date of birth: 1952-01-01 - Allianz, A.G. (145 P.3d 738). - One of six judges on the appeals court and was known for his intellect, humor, and dedication - He also held the role of financing and general counsel for the Hawaiʻi Economic Development Corp. and as an associate attorney at Carlsmith, Wichman, Case, Mukai & Ichiki - Beyond the bench, Lim was a founder and first director of Hawaiʻi Lawyers Care (now Volunteer Legal Services of Hawaiʻi), creating a program that provided free legal services to those unable to afford them. - His Honolulu Advertiser obituary describes graduation from Farrington High School, Harvard College and Stanford Law School. ## 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.courtlistener.com/person/7203/john-sw-lim/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7203/john-sw-lim/) - [Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7203/john-sw-lim/) - [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) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7203/john-sw-lim/) - [John S.W. Lim (Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals) – CourtListener.com](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7203/john-sw-lim) - [the.honoluluadvertiser.com](https://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Jun/13/br/br9780612354.html) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7203/john-sw-lim/) - [John S.W. Lim (Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals) – CourtListener.com](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/7203/john-sw-lim) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-s-w-lim-7203", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-s-w-lim-7203", "name": "John S.W. Lim | KnowJudges", "description": "John S.W. Lim, Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals. 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