members of the Primerus Personal Injury Institute were named judges in late 2014. Jeff Crabtree, a consumer protection and personal injury attorney in Honolulu, Hawaii, representing brain injury victims, was nominated by the Governor of Hawaii to serve a 10-year term as a state circuit court judge, effective November 25, 2014. lawyer with Shapiro, Lewis, Appleton & Duffan in Virginia Beach, Virginia, was elected by the Virginia General Assembly to serve an eight-year term as a Circuit Court judge for the 2nd Judicial Court, effective January 1, 2015. According to Primerus President John C. Buchanan, Crabtree and Lewis exemplify the high caliber of Primerus attorneys, who share a commitment to common values Primerus calls the Six excellent work product, continuing legal education, civility and community service. "This demonstrates that Primerus does indeed have the finest attorneys," Buchanan said. Crabtree was selected from a pool of 19 applicants, after review from a nine-member Judicial Selection Commission which sent a list of six finalists to the Governor of Hawaii. The Governor then conducted his own review, including interviews, before choosing Crabtree as his nominee. Crabtree then went through a confirmation process with the state Senate and the Senate Judiciary Committee, including public hearings. Crabtree was confirmed on November 25, 2014, five months after his application. During the first weeks of his judgeship, Crabtree said, "I am greatly enjoying doing something new and different and challenging, but which also allows me to use my 30 years of litigation experience. I miss helping my clients, but I find myself helping many people in my new job as well." Lewis's appointment required approval from a simple majority of the 100-member State House and the 40-member State Senate. About three years ago, he entered his name as a willing candidate if a position on the bench became available. "I am looking forward to an end to what has been a 15-year grind of traveling all over the United States Lewis said. "I think I am going to enjoy no more airports and airport food." Both Lewis and Crabtree plan to maintain their connections with the people they met through Primerus. "I greatly enjoyed getting to know my fellow Primerus members, and I expect those relationships to continue," Crabtree said. "If anyone from Primerus ever needs anything in Honolulu, whether it be a restaurant recommendation or an attorney referral, you are welcome to contact me. If I can't help you, I'll be glad to steer you to someone who can." Lewis said he, too, plans to maintain his Primerus relationships. "Primerus was a very convenient vehicle through which I got to know some absolutely wonderful lawyers all over the country," he said. "I have no intention of sacrificing those relationships in President John C. Buchanan, Crabtree and Lewis exemplify the high caliber of Primerus attorneys, who share a commitment to common values Primerus calls the Six Pillars. |