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title: "Steven L. Hartley | KnowJudges"
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---

# Steven L. Hartley

Hawaii District and District Family Courts, First Circuit · Per Diem Judge

## Profile

- Court: Hawaii District and District Family Courts, First Circuit
- State: Hawaii
- Role: Per Diem Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-08-09

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Per Diem Judge of the District Court of the State of Hawaii, serving in the First Judicial Circuit (Oʻahu) since 2016
- LLP, Hartley is the firm’s Managing Partner and has been appointed as a Per Diem judge in October 2016
- Began family-law practice with Stirling & Kleintop in 1996 and became partner in September 2000
- His archived firm biography identifies him as managing partner at Hartley & McGehee

### Education

- Political-science BA cum laude at University of Hawaii at Manoa 1991 and a Richardson JD 1996

### Additional information

- Hawaii and Indiana licensure, Hawaii/Indiana/ABA memberships, Association of Trial Lawyers of America membership, Hawaii Family Law Section secretary service (2000–2003), vice-chair/chair-elect election in 2004, Hawaii Court-Annexed Arbitration Program arbitrator service and volunteer Family Court settlement-master service since 2003
- In 2004 he practiced in Bloomington, Indiana with Mallor, Clandening, Grodner and Bohrer; returned to Hawaii in 2005 to form Lockwood & Hartley with Frank T. Lockwood; and opened Hartley & McGehee in 2009
- Current per diem judge serving in the District and/or District Family courts in Hawaii's First Circuit
- Hartley under the Hawaiʻi Uniform Information Practices Act
- Listed among the First Circuit Per Diem Judges for Oʻahu, meaning he presides over cases in District and District Family Courts on a per diem basis
- Graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, and the firm specializes in family law matters such as divorce, child custody, adoption, mediation, paternity, and guardianship
- Judge Watch notes that no current disciplinary records are on file for Hon
- Steven L. Hartley appears on Hawaii’s First Circuit per diem roster
- He wrote and presented on paternity, support, property division, mediation, discovery and divorce tax matters, and held a Martindale-Hubbell BV rating

## 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/courts/district/first_circuit)
- [Official roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/district/first_circuit)
- [Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/district/first_circuit)
- [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/courts/district/first_circuit)
- [hmfamilylaw.com](https://hmfamilylaw.com/_archive/familylaw/familylaw/stevenbio.html)
- [Hawaii State Judiciary judicial profile or roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/district/first_circuit)

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