Gov. Neil Abercrombie has appointed Honolulu attorney Jeffrey Portnoy to an interim post on the University of Hawaii’s Board of Regents.

Portnoy will fill the Honolulu seat held by former regent Eric Martinson, who resigned in August, the governor’s office announced today. The appointment requires confirmation by the state Senate.

“Jeff is a champion of the University of Hawaii and a respected leader in our community,” Abercrombie said in a statement. “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.” 

Portnoy has practiced law in Hawaii since 1972 and has been with the Honolulu firm of Cades Schutte for 41 years. He has represented various media organizations in Hawaii.

He previously served as an adjunct professor at UH, teaching media law. He teaches seminars at the UH Richardson School of Law, serves as a member of the Friends of Richardson School of Law and was a community member of the Law School Dean Search Committee.

Portnoy was one of three candidates submitted by the Board of Regents’ Candidate Advisory Council. The other two were Peter S. Adler, a planner and mediator, and Stanford B.C. Yuen, a former special assistant to the commander of Navy Region Hawaii.