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Watson, Derrick Kahala
Born 1966 in Honolulu, HI
Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii
Nominated by Barack Obama on January 4, 2013, to a seat vacated by David Alan Ezra. Confirmed by the Senate on April 18, 2013, and received commission on April 23, 2013. Served as chief judge, 2022-present.
Education:
Harvard University, A.B., 1988
Harvard Law School, J.D., 1991
Professional Career:
Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii
Nominated by Barack Obama on January 4, 2013, to a seat vacated by David Alan Ezra. Confirmed by the Senate on April 18, 2013, and received commission on April 23, 2013. Served as chief judge, 2022-present.
Education:
Harvard University, A.B., 1988
Harvard Law School, J.D., 1991
Professional Career:
Private practice, San Francisco, California, 1991-1995, 2000-2007
Assistant U.S. attorney, Northern District of California, 1995-2000; deputy chief, Civil Division, 1999-2000
U.S. Army Reserve captain, JAG Corps, 1998-2006
Assistant U.S. attorney, District of Hawaii, 2007-2013; chief, Civil Division, 2009-2013
Nominated to U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii, November 14, 2012; no Senate vote