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The State of Hawaiʻi has appointed three alumni from the William S. Richardson School of Law as judges in the Circuit Court of the First Circuit. Judge Brian Costa ʻ01, Judge Dyan Medeiros ʻ96 and Judge Steven Nichols ʻ02, once sworn in, will each serve a term of ten years.
Dean Camille Nelson says that Richardson is delighted to see that the excellence of Richardson Law alumni continues to be recognized at the highest levels. “We are incredibly proud of Judge Costa, Judge Medeiros and Judge Nichols. We know they will continue their dedicated service as they take on new roles on the bench.”
“They are stellar examples of the activation of the mission of the William S. Richardson School of Law to cultivate strong ethical professionals whose leadership and service uplift and enhance communities near and far,” Dean Nelson said.
Judge Brian Costa ‘01 currently serves as a District Family Court Judge, handling divorce, annulment, paternity, protection orders, juvenile delinquency and more. Before his judicial role, he was an Attorney Member Manager at Costa & DeLacy.
Leading the Domestic Division as a District Family Court Judge, Judge Dyan Medeiros ‘96 oversees divorce cases. She also presided over juvenile criminal and child welfare cases in the Juvenile Division, as well as paternity, restraining orders, adoption and guardianship cases in the Special Division.
Judge Steven Nichols ‘02 is a per diem District Family Court Judge. He is also in private practice, Law Office of Steven R. Nichols, where he focuses on criminal defense cases. Previously, he was a Deputy Public Defender at the Office of the Public Defender.
This historic appointment not only highlights the exceptional caliber of Richardson Law alumni but also reinforces the school’s commitment to producing leaders who positively impact the judiciary and the broader community.
For more information about the William S. Richardson School of Law and its programs, visit law.hawaii.edu.