YLD Candidates for Director of Ohau

Mihoko Ito is currently an associate with Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel and has served on the HSBA YLD Board of Directors from 2006-2008. Her experience with serving on the YLD board has been a very positive one, and she feels that she is fortunate to have been a part of the extraordinary efforts of the YLD to provide its many community outreach programs. This past year, in addition to coordinating and participating in various YLD programs, Ms. Ito focused on developing the Personal and Professional Development Series for the YLD, which is geared towards addressing the specific challenges that young lawyers face, both inside and outside the workplace. Ms. Ito hopes to continue to share her commitment to public service and to provide experience and leadership on the YLD board during the coming term.	Rebecca Dayhuff is currently an associate with the law firm of Goodsill Anderson Quinn and Stifel and a 2007 graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law. She is running for a position on the Young Lawyers Division Board of Directors so that she may have the opportunity to serve the HSBA and the community. As a young lawyer, she recognizes the differences we can make by giving back to the community and serving others. Having served on many philanthropic committees, Ms. Dayhuff realizes the importance of an organization such as the YLD. Participating in the YLD Junior Judges program she learned exactly what an impact an organization such as the YLD can have on the community. Ms. Dayhuff would appreciate the opportunity to be elected to the Board of Directors of YLD, so that she can continue to serve and become more involved in the legal profession and the community. She believes that it would truly be an honor to serve the YLD as a member of the Board of Directors.
William Tanaka is an associate attorney with the law firm of Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel and a 2006 graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law. Currently, he serves as a YLD Director and the state coordinator of the High School Mock Trial Competition for 2008-2009. Mr. Tanaka writes, “I would be honored to continue my service on the YLD Board to carry out our mission of outreach to the community and involve more lawyers in pro bono and community service work. As a member of the new generation of lawyers, I firmly believe that we have the responsibility to maintain the highest integrity of our profession and to improve our legal system by not only building our legal skill sets, but also by promoting the public welfare. Volunteering for projects such as Volunteer Legal Services of Hawaii, Legal Lines, and Junior Judges this past year has helped me gain more awareness about the pressing needs of the community. I look forward to fostering more community awareness and involvement this coming year.”	Ryan C. Cuskaden is an associate of Everett Cuskaden & Associates, ALC focusing his practice in family law, appellate, guardianship, intellectual properties law, and mediation. He was a former law clerk for the Chief Judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals of Hawaii, James S. Burns. While in law school, Mr. Cuskaden clerked at the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, Appellate Division and for United States Magistrate Judge Francis I. Yamashita. He is involved with the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the Volunteer Settlement Master for the Family Court of the First Circuit, a CAAP Arbitrator for the First Circuit Court and Mediation Center of the Pacific and Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution training. As a lawyer, Mr. Cuskaden believes that there is a responsibility to improve and uphold the legal system and to promote the public welfare. He wants to serve as an Oahu Director for the Young Lawyers Division to promote his beliefs and provide service to its members and the community.
Sunny Lee is currently underwriting counsel at Island Title Corporation. He previously worked as an associate at Bays Deaver Lung Rose & Holma. He was also the law clerk for First Circuit Court Judge Sabrina S. McKenna. Mr. Lee is also licensed to practice law in Washington State. While practicing in Washington, he was active with the Asian Bar Association of Washington and the Korean American Bar Association. He is a graduate of the University of Hawaii (B.A. in political science) and Seattle University (J.D.)	Jason Woo is a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the City and County of Honolulu. He is a graduate of the William S. Richardson School of Law. Mr. Woo served as a director of the YLD Board for the 2007-2008 term. During his term, he led the launch of the Goldilocks project, which was in its inaugural year and participated in many YLD projects. Mr. Woo would be honored to continue his work serving the members of the YLD and the community at large and asks for your vote.
Jeff Kent is currently clerking for the Honorable Greg Nakamura in Hilo. He was born and raised in Honolulu, where he attended Punahou School. Mr. Kent got his degree in film studies from the University of California Burkley, and prior to attending law school at the William S. Richardson School of Law, he worked for Lockheed Martin and the Tom Green Show. During law school, Mr. Kent was active in the Environmental Law Program and received his ELS certificate, in addition to participating in law review and the Intellectual Property Moot Court. He also clerked for Earthjustice, Legal Aid and was an assistant to Professor Randy Roth. When he wasn’t studying, Mr. Kent participated in the Surf Club and helped the law school redesign its website. Upon completing his clerkship with Judge Nakamura, Mr. Kent will be doing a two year fellowship with the Legal Aid Society in Honolulu focusing on consumer law and public benefits. He hopes that getting involved with the YLD will allow him to continue his interest in public service and to meet other young lawyers.