HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0049.000 2024-2026 C.limo Alameda,Ph.D. William V.Brilhante,Jr.
Mayor r Managing Director
N
Merrick Nishimoto
Deputy Managing Director
County of Hativai'l — Office of the Mayor
25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo,Hawaii 96720 . Phone(808)961-8211 . Fax(808)961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy.,Bldg C • Kailua-Kona,Hawaii 96740
Phone(808)323-4444 . Fax(808)323-4440
December 9, 2024
The Honorable Chairman Holeka Goro Inaba and
Members of the County Council
Hawaii County Council _
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, HI 96720 -
Dear Chairman Inaba and Members of the County Council,
It is my pleasure to submit for your confirmation the appointment of Renee N.C. Schoen
("Ms. Schoen") as Corporation Counsel for the County of Hawaii, pursuant to Section 6-5.2 of
the Hawaii County Charter. This appointment will take effect on January 16, 2025.
Ms. Schoen is an experienced attorney with many years of government service. In 2024,
she was appointed Per diem District and Family Court Judge for the Third Circuit. Prior to her
most recent role, she served the County of Hawaii in the Office of the Corporation Counsel
since 2007. In 2017, she was appointed Assistant Corporation Counsel for the Office of the
Corporation Counsel. Prior to the County, she served in a myriad of private and government
attorney roles, including her roles as Deputy Attorney General and Deputy Public Defender.
Ms. Schoen will serve a term co-terminus with my tenure as specified in Chapter 5 of the
Hawaii County Charter.
Pursuant to Rule 5(6)(a) of the Rules of Procedures and Organization of the Council of
the County of Hawaii, I respectfully request that this nomination be placed on the next available
Committee meeting.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Alameda, Ph.D.
Mayor, County of Hawaii
Enclosure Council Action Due By: March 172 2025
Last Council Meeting: March 7, 2025
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. X.aL DEL-1 12024
Renee N.C. Schoen, Esq.
EDUCA TION.
• William S. Richardson School of Law, Honolulu, H1.
Juris Doctor, 1992.
• Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA.
Bachelor of Science, 1988.
• Kamehameha Schools, 1984.
BAR ADMISSIONS:
• Hawai'i State Bar - 1993
• United States District Court for the District of Hawaii -1993
• Ninth Circuit United States Court of Appeals -2012
• United States Supreme Court -2012
LEGAL WORK EXPERIENCE:
• Judiciary, State of Hawaii
Third Circuit Per them District and Family Court Judge, 2024
County of Hawai'i, Office of the Corporation Counsel
Assistant Corporation Counsel, 2017 -2021 (Mayor Harry Kim)
Provide legal advice and counsel to the Mayor, County Council, Finance,
Police; special assignment to Mayoral projects: COVI D-1 9 task force,
Maunakea protest, 2018 Kilauea Eruption & recovery;
Provide County wide training;
Manage office personnel.
Deputy Corporation Counsel, June 2007-2016 (Mayors Kim and Kenoi)
Provide legal advice and counsel to the County with specific assignments to
the Department of Public Works, Housing, Environmental Management,
Parks and Recreation; Board of Ethics, Board of Appeals, Real Property Tax
Board of Review, Veterans, Status of Women etc.
Provide County -wide ethics training bi-annually.
• Legal Aid Society of Hawai'i (Hilo)
Staff Attorney, June 2006-May 2007.
Provide legal advice, counsel, brief services and full representation to
indigent persons in family law and housing issues; community education and
outreach services; court appointed Guardian Ad Litem in CPS cases.
• State of Hawai'i, Office of the Attorney General
Deputy Attorney General
Civil Recoveries Division. 1999-2006
Represent the State's interest in third -party personal injury lien cases at
motions, hearings, arbitration and trial.
Tort Litigation Division. 1997-1999
Represent the State, its agencies and employees in personal injury and Civil
Rights cases in the US District Court and Circuit Courts throughout the State.
• Chee & Markham
Associate. 1995-1997
Insurance defense counsel for private clients; attend and represent clients at
motions, hearings, arbitration and trial.
• State of Hawai'i, Office of the Public Defender
Deputy Public Defender. 1993-1995
Represent and advise juvenile and adult criminal defendants at all stages of
the criminal process, including parole hearings, appeals, arraignment, bench
trial, jury trial and sentencing.
State of Hawaii, First Circuit Court, Thirteenth Division
Law Clerk. 1992-1993
The Honorable Judge Daniel G. Heely
Volunteer/Civic/Community Organizations
• Board Chair, Hamakua Federal Credit Union, 2013 to present
• Board Member, Hamakua Federal Credit Union, 2011-2013
• Arbitrator, Court Annexed Arbitration Program, 2007-present
• Hawaii County Bar Association, 2006-present
• Hawaii Filipino Lawyers Association
• Kamehameha Schools Alumni Assoc.