Law School Dean Avi Soifer selected for Ha'aheo Award

The award is given by the American Board of Trial Advocates - Hawai'i Chapter

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Contact:
Cynthia Quinn, (808) 956-7966
Interim Associate Dean for Student Services, William S Richardson School of Law
Posted: Nov 2, 2011

Dean Soifer
Dean Soifer
Dean Avi Soifer of UH Mānoa's William S. Richardson School of Law will join a prestigious list of awardees who have been honored with the Ha‘aheo Award from The American Board of Trial Advocates – Hawaii Chapter (ABOTA-Hawaiʻi). The recognition dinner honoring Soifer, who has led Richardson School of Law since 2003, will be held Sunday, Nov. 13, at the Kahala Hotel & Resort’s Maile Ballroom. Cocktails begin at 6 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m.
 
Dean Soifer has been singled out in recognition of his outstanding leadership at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Law School as well as his “many contributions and valuable service to the legal profession, the rule of law, and the administration of justice.”
 
Past awardees include the Law School’s internationally-recognized Professor Eric Yamamoto, as well as the late U.S. Sen. Hiram Fong, and UH Regent Emeritus Momi Cazimero.
 
The annual Ha‘aheo Award was established in 1988 to recognize those who have excelled in their professions. The term means “noble, proud” and recipients are chosen for their outstanding service and contributions to justice - not only in their professions but also in the community at large.
 
In receiving the award in 2009, Professor Yamamoto gratefully acknowledged the trial lawyers association and the critical work it does in upholding the jury system and educating the American public about the history and value of the right to trial by jury.
 
“The award is a wonderful honor bestowed by those trial attorneys who have achieved the highest standing and who have contributed greatly to our legal community and to Hawai‘i,” said Yamamoto.
 
“Their recognition of Avi is perfect,” he continued. “He is a visionary leader, not only for the Law School, but also for the state. He uplifts people and betters life opportunities for so many through his extraordinary devotion to teaching, writing and speaking as a professor, and to serving Hawai‘i’s diverse communities as Dean of the Richardson Law School. And he does so with a gentle, caring spirit.”
 
ABOTA is a national organization with 99 chapters across the country, dedicated to preserving the constitutional vision of equal justice for all Americans provided by the Seventh Amendment. Through its chapters the organization also offers educational programs to preserve the civil justice system for future generations.
 
The Hawaiʻi chapter is led by President Gerald Y. Sekiya. The Honorable Ronald T.Y. Moon is National Board Representative.