Susan Oki Mollway
Encyclopedia
Susan Oki Mollway is a federal district judge on the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii
and the first Asian-American woman ever appointed to the federal bench.
in 1971 and a master's degree in English literature from the University of Hawaii in 1973. She earned a law degree from the Harvard Law School
in 1981.
from 1975 until 1977. After law school, she worked in private legal practice in Honolulu from 1981 until 1998, when she joined the federal bench. At the end of her time in private practice, she was working as a partner for the law firm Cades, Schutte, Fleming & Wright. Mollway also worked briefly as an adjunct instructor at the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law
from 1988 until 1989.
to fill the vacancy created by the 1995 death of Judge Harold Michael Fong
. The United States Senate
confirmed Mollway's nomination in a 56-34 vote on June 22, 1998. Mollway has the unusual distinction of being the federal judge appointed by Clinton who was confirmed with the lowest number of votes by the Senate, with a total of only 90 Senators participating in the vote. (One other Clinton district court nominee, Ronnie L. White
, was rejected by the Senate on October 5, 1999 in a 54-45 vote.)
United States District Court for the District of Hawaii
The United States District Court for the District of Hawaii is the principal trial court of the United States Federal Court System in the state of Hawaii. It is located at the Prince Kuhio Federal Building in downtown Honolulu, fronting the Aloha Tower and Honolulu Harbor. The court hears both...
and the first Asian-American woman ever appointed to the federal bench.
Early life and education
Born in Honolulu, Mollway earned a bachelor's degree in English literature from the University of HawaiiUniversity of Hawaii
The University of Hawaii System, formally the University of Hawaii and popularly known as UH, is a public, co-educational college and university system that confers associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees through three university campuses, seven community college campuses, an employment...
in 1971 and a master's degree in English literature from the University of Hawaii in 1973. She earned a law degree from the Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School
Harvard Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it is the oldest continually-operating law school in the United States and is home to the largest academic law library in the world. The school is routinely ranked by the U.S...
in 1981.
Professional career
Mollway taught English and worked at an English-language publisher in TokyoTokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
from 1975 until 1977. After law school, she worked in private legal practice in Honolulu from 1981 until 1998, when she joined the federal bench. At the end of her time in private practice, she was working as a partner for the law firm Cades, Schutte, Fleming & Wright. Mollway also worked briefly as an adjunct instructor at the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law
William S. Richardson School of Law
The William S. Richardson School of Law is a public, co-educational institution of the University of Hawaii at Mānoa in Honolulu, Hawaii. Named after the beloved Hawaii State Supreme Court Chief Justice William S. Richardson, it is the only law school in the State of Hawaii...
from 1988 until 1989.
Federal judicial service
On January 7, 1997, President Bill Clinton nominated Mollway to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of HawaiiUnited States District Court for the District of Hawaii
The United States District Court for the District of Hawaii is the principal trial court of the United States Federal Court System in the state of Hawaii. It is located at the Prince Kuhio Federal Building in downtown Honolulu, fronting the Aloha Tower and Honolulu Harbor. The court hears both...
to fill the vacancy created by the 1995 death of Judge Harold Michael Fong
Harold Michael Fong
Harold Michael Fong was an American lawyer and judge. He served as judge on the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii....
. The United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
confirmed Mollway's nomination in a 56-34 vote on June 22, 1998. Mollway has the unusual distinction of being the federal judge appointed by Clinton who was confirmed with the lowest number of votes by the Senate, with a total of only 90 Senators participating in the vote. (One other Clinton district court nominee, Ronnie L. White
Ronnie L. White
Ronnie L. White is a former Missouri Supreme Court judge and is currently a practicing attorney. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri....
, was rejected by the Senate on October 5, 1999 in a 54-45 vote.)