Top lawyers in Hawaii County corporation counsel’s office appointed

Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi on Monday appointed Molly Amai Stebbins as the new corporation counsel.

Stebbins, a deputy corporation counsel since 2007, was assigned to represent the county Police and Fire departments. She is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and the University of Hawaii’s William S. Richardson School of Law.

The appointment is effective Tuesday, and is subject to confirmation by the County Council.

Stebbins replaces Lincoln Ashida, who resigned as corporation counsel on April 30 to take a position as senior counsel for Torkildson Katz Moore Hetherington & Harris.

Kenoi also announced the appointment of Laureen Martin as assistant corporation counsel. Martin has served as a deputy corporation counsel since 2009, and is currently litigation section supervisor for the office. Martin also worked as Maui County deputy corporation counsel from 2002 to 2009.

Martin replaces Katherine Garson as assistant corporation counsel. Garson will remain with the county as a deputy corporation counsel.