Governor Neil Abercrombie announced the appointment of Jeffrey Portnoy to the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents. He assumes one of the board’s Honolulu seats, an interim position until confirmed by the state Senate.
“Jeff is a champion of the University of Hawaiʻi and a respected leader in our community,” Gov. Abercrombie said. “He has always been a great friend to the university community, and his leadership, insight and expertise within and beyond his field will prove a valuable asset to the UH system.”
A member of the State Bar of Hawaiʻi since 1972, Portnoy has worked with Cades Schutte LLP since 1972 and as a partner since 1979. A speaker, teacher and author, his practice specialties include media, insurance, employment and product liability law; personal injury defense; attorney and physician malpractice; and securities litigation and arbitration.
His prior involvement with the University of Hawaiʻi includes serving as community representative on the UH Athletic Advisory Board for two three-year terms (1996–2002) and as a UH adjunct professor in media law from 1985 to 1992.
Portnoy was president of the Hawaiʻi State Bar Association in 2007 and director from 1989 to 1993. He was a member of the Ninth Circuit Advisory Board from 2005 to 2008, chairman of the U.S. District Court Advisory Committee from 1992 to 1996, state chairman of the Defense Research Institute from 1989 to 1998, and president of the Hawaiʻi Defense Lawyers Association from 1989 to 1995. In addition, he served as Lawyers Representative to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference for two three-year terms, is a past member of the Media Defense Resource Council and is former editor-in-chief of The Hawaiʻi Labor Letter.
