Leslie Kobayashi | |
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 | |
| Senior Judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of Hawaii | |
| Assumed office October 9, 2024 | |
| Judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of Hawaii | |
| In office December 22, 2010 – October 9, 2024 | |
| Appointed by | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Helen W. Gillmor |
| Succeeded by | Shanlyn A. S. Park |
| Magistrate Judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of Hawaii | |
| In office August 2, 1999 – December 22, 2010 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Leslie Emi Kobayashi (1957-10-09)October 9, 1957 (age 68) Mount Holly,New Jersey, U.S. |
| Spouse | Clarence Pacarro (m. 1990)[1] |
| Education | Wellesley College (BA) Boston College (JD) |
Leslie Emi Kobayashi (born October 9, 1957) is an American lawyer who serves as aseniorUnited States district judge for theUnited States District Court for the District of Hawaii.
Kobayashi was born in 1957 inMount Holly Township, New Jersey. She received herBachelor of Arts degree fromWellesley College in 1979 and herJuris Doctor from theBoston College Law School in 1983.[2][3]
Kobayashi worked as atrial attorney and managing partner of the law firm of Fujiyama, Duffy & Fujiyama inHonolulu for a period of 17 years. She worked as a deputy prosecuting attorney inHonolulu before becoming aUnited States magistrate judge on August 2, 1999. In 2000 and 2001, she taught at theWilliam S. Richardson School of Law.[2][3]
On April 21, 2010, Kobayashi was nominated to a seat as aUnited States district judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of Hawaii byBarack Obama. She was nominated to fill the seat vacated by JudgeHelen W. Gillmor, who assumedsenior status in 2009. TheUnited States Senate confirmed the nomination on December 18, 2010.[4][5] This makes her the firstJapanese American federal judge confirmed during theObama Administration.[6] She received her commission on December 22, 2010. Kobayashi assumedsenior status on October 9, 2024.[3]
On August 8, 2023, Kobayashi partially blocked Hawaii's ban on firearms in public places.[7][8] On September 6, 2024, the 9th circuit largely reinstated Hawaii's firearm ban,[9][10] and denied en banc on January 15, 2025.[11]
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.| Legal offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of Hawaii 2010–2024 | Succeeded by |
