Biography

Trisha Y. Nakamura is excited to contribute to the William S. Richardson School of Law as its Director of the Pro Bono Program.  A proud graduate of WSRSL, her passion is supporting Richardson students on their path in the law through advising and support around pro bono and experiential learning opportunities.  At Richardson, she served as the interim Associate Dean of Student Services and Director of Career Services and Professional Development. 

Prior to her work at Richardson, Trisha served as a Deputy Public Defender for the State of Hawai‘i for six years where she represented numerous clients, appearing before the District Courts, Circuit Court, Family Court, and the Hawai‘i Supreme Court in addition to the Hawai‘i Parole Board.  She also worked in the Hawai‘i State Judiciary in different facets: as a post-JD fellow with the Child Welfare calendar in the Family Court of the First Circuit and as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Derrick H.M. Chan and the Honorable Michael D. Wilson while they were assigned to the Circuit Court of the First Circuit.

Trisha also worked in the private nonprofit sector managing policy and legislative efforts as the Policy and Advocacy Director for the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawai‘i (now within the Hawai‘i Public Health Institute).

Trisha serves on the Pro Bono Initiatives Committee of the Hawai‘i Access to Justice Commission, the Hawai‘i State Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Committee as an ex-officio member, and the Japanese American Citizens League-Honolulu Chapter Board.  She was a 2019 Fellow with the Hawai‘i State Bar Association Leadership Institute.  She served on the National Advisory Committee with Equal Justice Works and Small and Solo CSO (Career Services Office) section of the National Association for Law Placement (NALP).