--- title: "Vladimir P. Devens | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/vladimir-p-devens-chief-justice-hawaii-supreme-court-hi" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-22" --- # Vladimir P. Devens Supreme Court of Hawaii ยท Chief Justice ## Profile - Court: Supreme Court of Hawaii - State: Hawaii - Role: Chief Justice - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-08-22 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Vladimir Paul Devens is the Chief Justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court, sworn in on May 5, 2026 to replace Mark E. Recktenwald, who retired in September 2025 - Associate Justice: Joined the Hawaii Supreme Court on January 12, 2024, appointed by Governor Josh Green to replace Paula A. Nakayama - Founding partner / attorney, Law Office of Vladimir P. Devens; from 2013 - Associate; later partner, Meheula & Devens LLP; from 1995 - Graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, and a 1987 graduate of the University of California Berkeley School of Law (fka Boalt Hall), where he served as an Associate Editor of the Industrial Relations Law Journal. - As Chief Justice, Devens is the administrative head of the Hawaii State Judiciary - Predecessor: Sabrina S. McKenna (acting Chief Justice) - Chief judge service: Chief Justice - Early career: Honolulu Police Department officer (6 years) Private practice for over 30 years, specializing in civil litigation Partner at Meheula, Devens & Winer; principal at Law Offices of Vladimir P. Devens, LLC ### Education ### Additional information - Partner since 1997. - Born 1962. - Civil litigator, Private practice - More than 30 years in private practice. - overseeing court operations statewide - Prior to his appointment, Justice Devens worked in private practice for over 30 years where he concentrated his practice in civil litigation in various areas of the law. ## 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/supreme/justices/justices) - [Official roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/supreme/justices/justices) - [Hawaii State Judiciary official judicial roster](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/supreme/justices/justices) - [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/supreme/justices/justices) - [Hawaii Judiciary biography: Associate Justice Vladimir P. Devens](https://www.courts.state.hi.us/associate-justice-vladimir-p-devens) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/vladimir-p-devens-chief-justice-hawaii-supreme-court-hi", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/vladimir-p-devens-chief-justice-hawaii-supreme-court-hi", "name": "Vladimir P. Devens | KnowJudges", "description": "Vladimir P. Devens, Supreme Court of Hawaii. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-08-22", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/vladimir-p-devens-chief-justice-hawaii-supreme-court-hi#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/vladimir-p-devens-chief-justice-hawaii-supreme-court-hi#judge", "name": "Vladimir P. 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