New judge for Kauai

LIHUE — Kauai 5th Circuit has a newly appointed per diem judge for the District Court.

Sara Lee Silvermann was sworn in Thursday with an appointment effective through Jan. 12, 2015. Per diem judges are part-time judges and appointed as needed basis to preside in district court and family court.

Silvermann has already served as judge for Kauai Teen Court and volunteers with the 5th Circuit Self Help Center.

“We have seen Judge Silverman in our courtrooms for many years as a competent, experienced litigator and are looking forward to working with in her role as a district court judge,” said Chief Judge Randal Valenciano. “On behalf of the judges and staff, I welcome Judge Silverman to the Judiciary ohana.”

A Lihue attorney with a private practice since 1995, Silvermann specializes in family law, divorce, custody, guardianships, and adoptions. Her work includes court appointments in child protective proceedings, juvenile defense cases, and adult criminal cases.

Silvermann was a deputy prosecuting attorney on Kauai from 1993-95. During this time she was a member of the Domestic Violence Team and her work included juvenile cases.

The YWCA Family Violence Shelter contracts with Silvermann to represent victims in TRO proceedings. She also served as counsel for the 5th Circuit grand jury, along with the Volunteer Guardian Ad Litem Program.

Silvermann earned her jurisdoctorate in 1984 from De Paul University College of Law in Chicago. She had previously completed a master’s degree in social work in 1979 from Case Western Reserve University’s School of Applied Social Sciences in Cleveland.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in 1977 from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York.