‘Thoughtful’
judge now with
Appeals
John S.W. Lim recently
By Debra Barayuga
presided over the controversial
Kimberly Pada trial
Star-BulletinHAWAII'S new appellate judge hopes to improve the sometimes tense relationship between trial and appellate judges.
"Perhaps that's something I can work on, to dispel the common saying that judges are like dogs: They're all right one on one, but dangerous in a pack," said Judge John S.W. Lim. "We'll work to change that."
Lim, the Circuit Court judge who breezed through Senate confirmation after his much-criticized handling of a controversial child abuse case, yesterday was sworn in as associate judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals.
He replaces Associate Judge Walter Kirimitsu, who was hired as University of Hawaii general counsel. Also sworn in, but to Circuit Court, was Gary W.B. Chang.
Chang, son of retired Circuit Judge Robert Won Bae Chang, replaces Judge James R. Aiona Jr., who retired.
Lim, 47, is known by lawyers as "Justice Thoughtful," said Randall Roth, president of the Hawaii State Bar Association.
"He's somebody who enjoys thinking about the law and doing his best to apply it and explain it in a way that makes sense."
Chang, a state deputy attorney general from 1980 to 1984, is a senior partner with the law firm Matsui Chung Sumida and Chang. Like Lim, he will serve a 10-year term.
Lim sentenced Kimberly Pada last week to 20 years for the beating of her 4-year-old son Reubyne Buentipo Jr., who is comatose. A jury had found her guilty of attempted murder, but Pada was sentenced for attempted manslaughter after jurors expressed confusion at jury instructions and a question that resulted in reduction of the verdict.
City Prosecutor Peter Carlisle, who had criticized Lim's handling of jury instructions, praised Lim's appointment. "You can't simply look at one case, one decision. His pattern of conduct over the years has been impressive."
