The state Senate today voted to confirm Honolulu deputy prosecutor Rom Trader as a First Circuit Court judge.

Trader has two decades of experience as a prosecutor and has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Hawai'i's William Richardson School of Law.

He was nominated by Gov. Linda Lingle and received overwhelming support from the legal community during his confirmation hearing before the state Senate Judiciary and Government Operations Committee.

"We are convinced he will serve well in his capacity as a Circuit Court judge," said state Sen. Brian Taniguchi, D-10th (Manoa, McCully), the committee's chairman.

State Sen. Sam Slom, R-8th (Kahala, Hawai'i Kai), said Trader will be missed in the prosecutor's office, where he has handled high-profile murder, domestic violence and child-abuse cases.

"We are buoyed by the knowledge that he is going to be an outstanding judge," he said.