Gov. Linda Lingle yesterday nominated former U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo Jr. to serve as a Circuit Court judge of the First Circuit for the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Frances Wong.

Kubo served as U.S. attorney for Hawai'i from 2001 to October 2009. Before that, he was an assistant U.S. attorney for 11 years. During his tenure with the U.S. Attorney's Office, Kubo focused on major federal criminal investigations such as white-collar crimes, mortgage fraud, civil rights violations, tax evasion, corruption, crimes on government installations and violent crimes.

Kubo earned his law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law.

Lingle selected Kubo from a list of six candidates submitted to her by the Judicial Selection Commission on Dec. 11.