U.S. Sens. Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono have appointed a judicial selection panel that will recommend Hawaii’s next U.S. district judge.

A seat will become vacant in November with the retirement of Chief Judge Susan Oki Mollway.

The Federal Judicial Selection Commission will be led by attorney Louise Ing, with Schatz appointees Nadine Ando, Keith W. Hunter and Emily Kawa­shima Waters and Hirono appointees Grant Chun, Patsy Saiki and Alan Van Etten.

"Hawaii is home to some of the most diverse and brilliant legal minds in the country, and that is what our judiciary should reflect," Schatz said in a news release. "This balanced commission will begin a process that will help us put forward well-qualified candidates to fill this important vacancy. I look forward to working with the commission members and President Obama to make sure our next District Court judge will be a fitting replacement for Chief Judge Mollway."

Hirono echoed the comments on the diversity of the panel, adding, "I look forward to their process and their eventual decision on candidates to replace the Honorable Judge Susan Mollway. Hawaii needs a full, active bench of four judges and I will work closely with my colleagues in the Senate to confirm whomever the president ultimately selects."

Ing is a founder of Alston Hunt Floyd & Ing, representing businesses and nonprofits in commercial, real estate, bankruptcy, intellectual property and employment litigation and dispute resolution. Her accomplishments include the Patsy T. Mink PAC Award for legislative advocacy on women’s health issues and leadership awards from Hawaii Women Lawyers, the Hawaii State Bar Association, Planned Parenthood of Hawaii and the YWCA of Oahu.

Ando, a Hilo native, is a partner at the Hono­lulu law firm of Sullivan Mehe­ula Lee, where she focuses on commercial litigation. Hunter is founder, CEO and president of Dispute Prevention & Resolution Inc., a full-service alternative dispute resolution firm.

Kawashima Waters established her own practice in October 2011, focusing on trust and probate litigation, conservatorships, guardianships and select personal injury cases, and had served as a city deputy prosecutor.

Chun, of Maui, is an attorney and vice president of A&B Properties Inc. Saiki serves as senior vice president and general counsel of First American Title in Hawaii. Van Etten is a past president of the Hawaii State Bar Association and was the Hawaii representative to the American Bar Association House of Delegates for nine years, where he was a member of that body’s nominating committee.

Candidates for the seat are asked to submit a confidential cover letter, resume and a list of five representative cases worked on (with names of the presiding judge and other counsel who may be confidentially contacted) to the commission by April 3. Application materials and any questions should be directed to Ing at 1001 Bishop St., Suite 1800, Hono­lulu, HI 96813; or via email to usjsc@ahfi.com or us.judicial.selection@ahfi.com. Messages can be left at 441-6225.