Hawaii State Bar Assn. & Hawaii County Bar Assn. present: Legislative Updates & ODC Tips

Date/time:

Friday, October 23, 2026, 10:30am - 1:00pm

Register by Tuesday, October 20, 2026, 4pm

Agenda:

10:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.: Sign In. Attendance Sheets

10:30 a.m. to 10:35 a.m.: Introduction

10:35 a.m. to 11:35 a.m.: Senator Tim Richards

11:35 a.m. to 11:55 p.m.: Lunch Break

11:55 a.m. to 12:55 p.m.: Raymond Kong, ODC

12:55 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.: Acknowledgements

1:00 p.m.: Sign out. Attendance Sheets

Location:

In Person:

Hilo Courthouse Jury Assembly Room

777 Kīlauea Avenue

Hilo, HI 96720

CLE Credits:

2 CLE Credits (including 1 Ethics)

Pricing: (Please see how to Register below)

$0 for HSBA Members: Live In-Person*

$0 for Non-Members: Live In-Person**

$0 for Law Students with HSBA Law Student Card: Live In-Person***

Live In-Person Only

Parking:

Please allow time to obtain your prepaid parking receipt from the Courthouse Kiosk.

Materials will be emailed to you later towards the event.

Cancellation: Cancellation requests must be received (in writing to cle@hsba.org or mail) by Monday, October 19th. 

Summary:

Senator Tim Richards will provide a summary of the bills passed during the 2026 legislative session. Chief Disciplinary Counsel Raymond Kong will address the various types of complaints being received by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, including the most serious types of alleged violations, the disciplinary process and the sanctions that an attorney can face. He will also address the importance of having a Client Trust Fund account that is kept accurate and current.

Speakers:

Senator Tim Richards, Hawaii State Senate

Hawaii State Senator Tim Richards is a veterinarian, rancher, and seasoned public servant whose career has been defined by a lifelong commitment to agriculture, animal health, socio-economic issues, and advancing the interests of the people of Hawaiʻi. A graduate of Washington State University, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Science, with a minor in Chemistry, in 1981 before receiving his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1984. Senator Richards has established deep roots in both veterinary medicine and the ranching industry, serving for more than four decades as a veterinarian with Veterinary Associates, Inc. in Waimea while also leading operations at the historic Kahua Ranch. Senator Richards has served on numerous Boards and Associations, functioning in key leadership roles and working in conjunction with a deep connection to civic engagement. Through these roles, Senator Richards has gained firsthand experience in livestock production, veterinary medicine, land stewardship, rural business management, and agricultural innovation. His vast experience and working knowledge provide him with a practical understanding of the opportunities and challenges confronting Hawaiʻi's agricultural sector and rural communities.

Following three consecutive terms on the Hawaiʻi County Council from 2016 to 2022, Senator Richards was elected to the Hawaiʻi State Senate in 2022, where he currently serves as Assistant Majority Whip, Chair of Hawaiian Affairs Committee (HWN), Vice Chair of the Agriculture and Environment (AEN) Committee, and as a member of the Ways and Means (WAM) Committee, and the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs (EIG) Committee. His legislative work is informed by decades of leadership within state and national veterinary, livestock, and agricultural organizations, and a commitment to producing evidence-based legislation that provides positive social impacts. He has served functional roles in shaping policy regarding animal health, food security, biosecurity, agricultural commerce, workforce housing and environmental concerns. Combining scientific training with executive leadership in both veterinary practice and ranch management, Senator Richards brings a pragmatic, data-informed perspective to policymaking that emphasizes strengthening Hawaiʻi's agricultural economy, improving government responsiveness, and advancing responsible stewardship of natural resources. Senator Richards supports legislation that promotes the overall health and well-being of children and youth, developing legislation impacting educational and workforce development, and ensuring that public policy reflects both the needs of local communities and the long-term interests of the State.

Raymond Kong, Chief Disciplinary Counsel of the ODC

Raymond Kong is Chief Disciplinary Counsel to the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court (February 2025); and RSCH Rule 2.20 Trustee Administrator (deceased, disbarred, disappeared or disabled attorneys). Previously, he was the General Counsel at Bishop Museum and the Legal Director for Lawyers for Equal Justice, a part of Hawaii Appleseed.

Mr. Kong's private practice focused on construction and business litigation. He graduated from UC Hastings College of the Law (now known as UC Law San Francisco) in 2002. He is admitted to practice law in Hawaiʻi and California (inactive).

Register:

*HSBA Members: "Log In" (do not create a new account) to register online.

*HSBA members paying by check or prefer to use the form: Please download paper registration coming soon and submit to the HSBA to register. 

**Non-HSBA members: Please download paper registration coming soon. 

***Law Students: You must have an HSBA student card; or if not, you may obtain one by going to HSBA Bar Card | HSBA Please download paper registration coming soon and submit to the HSBA to register.

ADA Accommodation: In Accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you require accommodation for a disability, please contact us by email October 16, 2026, at cle@hsba.org; or by phone at 537-1868 and ask for the CLE Department before purchasing the program.

Questions? Please contact HSBA CLE Department at 537-1868 or CLE@hsba.org.