Major Areas of Practice in Hawaii
When it comes to law firms in Hawaii, there are a few popular areas of the practice that most of them cover. The following is a look at some of the most common areas of legal practice in Hawaii:
Real Estate – Perhaps the most popular area of legal practice in Hawaii involves real estate transactions. Everyone from buyers and sellers to real estate agents and lenders requires real estate attorneys to review closings to handle any disputes that may develop during these transactions. Hawaii lawyers will advise their clients on zoning law issues, mortgage lender issues, FHA and VA guidelines and federal and state regulations .
Family Law – Personal divorces, high asset divorces and child custody issues are all sought after areas of practice in Hawaii. Family law attorneys understand not only what steps need to be taken to finalize separations, but also how to equitably split up assets in the process.
Environmental Law – Given Hawaii’s natural beauty, many law firms deal with environmental law issues, such as state environmental regulations, EPA compliance and environmental impact statements (EIS). These attorneys handle EIS issues before any development can proceed.
Choosing the Right Law Firm in Hawaii
When it comes to selecting the right law firm in Hawaii, there are several factors to consider. First and foremost, you should evaluate the reputation of the prospective firm. This can be accomplished by reviewing the firm’s website and online presence, as well as asking family, friends, and local acquaintances for recommendations. Reputation is one factor that cannot be overlooked when making your decision. Once you’ve determined the firm’s reputation, you should drill down into whether or not they have specialization in your particular area of need. If you are a foreign national exploring investments in international real estate or business, then your interests will certainly best be served by an experienced and specialized attorney with a proven track record in working with foreign nationals in similar deals. Equally important is client reviews and testimonials. You can find a wealth of information by reading such reviews on the internet. Many clients are keen to share their experiences with law firms they’ve worked with, allowing you to make a more informed assessment of the firm you are considering. Very often in Hawaii, the number one factor in assessing a firm is their cultural understanding and familiarity with the local market. Because of Hawaii’s unique culture, it is essential that any prospective law firm have local roots. Many of the lawyers at Hawaii Law Center are local people, which means we have the personal insight as well as the professional experience to provide superior service for our valued clients.
Leading Law Firms in Hawaii
It is important to note that many attorneys practice law with specialized skills and backgrounds in various legal areas all across the state. Apart from those solo practitioners, here are some of the most reputable law firms doing business in Hawaii:
Cades Schutte (Honolulu): With 70 years of experience, Cades Schutte remains one of the largest firms in all of Hawaii, offering counsel in 40 core practice areas such as land use, construction, real estate, family law and more. Their clients include private individuals, businesses, government bodies, educational institutions, and other organizations.
Ashford & Wriston (Honolulu): Founded in 1965, Ashford & Wriston has made a name for itself by focusing on the needs of it clients and establishing long-term relationships. The majority of partners at the firm have over 20 years of experience in their respective fields. Practice areas include business transactional law, litigation, real estate, land use, intellectual property, labor and employment and others.
M KKONA (Honolulu): The oldest firm on Oahu, M KKONA was first established over 150 years ago. Practice areas cover a range of topics such as class action lawsuits, insurance, construction, litigation and more. The firm has worked with both private and public sector clients, and is known as one of the top litigation firms in the state.
McCorriston Miller Mukai Osaka (Honolulu): This firm focuses on litigation, government relations, real estate, land use and corporate law for businesses and individuals in Hawaii and across the U.S. McCorriston Miller has made a name for itself by identifying key legislative issues that are critical to the operation of many Hawaii-based businesses, and working with lawmakers to write beneficial legislation.
Chun Kerr LLP (Honolulu): Founded in 1967, Chun Kerr LLP is a partnership of over 20 attorneys who offer counsel and representation for litigation and corporate matters. Practice areas include tax law, insurance, real estate, intellectual property, and labor law.
Support Organizations and Legal Resources in Hawaii
Hawaiian residents, like other citizens, have access to a variety of legal resources and support organizations that can ensure they’re prepared in the event of legal trouble. The Hawaii State Bar Association, under its program for public service, is an excellent resource for individuals who need assistance on legal matters, or lawyers who simply want to expand their knowledge and capabilities.
The Bar association helps members of the public find an attorney, assisting in locating and hiring a lawyer, and in determining how much compensation that lawyer should be paid. The service allows for the submission of a legal issue so that it can be matched with an appropriate, licensed attorney. This service only matches consumers with attorneys for problem-solving purposes, and does not provide referrals to attorneys outside of Hawaii.
For those who have an issue with an existing attorney , the Hawaii State Bar Association provides an attorney/consumer assistance program. The role of the program is to address misunderstanding between attorneys and clients. The program welcomes participation from both clients and attorneys.
Legal professionals in Hawaii have access to a number of helpful resources through the Hawaii State Bar Association. Resources available to them include mentoring programs, support services such as real estate and medicare/medicaid information, law office management and probate resources, and free sections that cover groups of different practice areas. These sections include those for for-profit businesses, military and veterans, real property and family law, along with many more. Many of the resources offered help lawyers fulfill their legal duties, while others addresses issues specifically relevant to the Hawaiian Islands.
Quirks of the Hawaii Legal Market
Hawaii’s unique legal landscape presents a broad range of considerations for legal practitioners. Chief among these considerations is the state’s particular land use and native Hawaiian rights issues. Due to its relatively small size and geography, Hawaii often has strict land use controls in place to preserve both its unique ecology and the native Hawaiian culture that is still the foundation of everyday life for many residents. Indeed, even in the midst of Honolulu, there are specific laws in place to protect important areas from development, including certain oceanfront areas known as "fringing reefs."
The Hawaiian Islands are therefore regulated both by federal and state law—which in this case includes protective laws passed by the Hawaii State Legislature—and any relevant county ordinances and regulations.
Any type of development project must therefore anticipate a long and involved permitting process that could incorporate consideration of numerous different laws from a number of different regulatory bodies. In the case of land use regulations, for example, it may be necessary to secure approval at state, county and even district levels.
Such a permitting process is not always required; some projects are approved "as of right" under existing zoning and development laws. Other, more complicated projects, could conceivably face years of permitting procedures before receiving the necessary approvals to proceed. When land use does require permitting, consultation with an experienced land use attorney is almost certainly going to be necessary for the reasons outlined above.
The Future of Hawaii’s Legal Industry
As the legal landscape evolves in Hawaii, it is important to consider how current trends may shape the future. One of the more significant trends is the growing integration of technology into everyday legal practice. From case management software to e-discovery tools and virtual law offices, technology is making legal services more efficient and accessible than ever before. Attorneys and firms that adopt these new approaches will have a competitive edge in the coming years.
Evolutionary changes in legal education will also impact the future of the legal industry in Hawaii. With the increased use of technology, some legal courses are being phased out to make way for more relevant subjects such as data privacy or intellectual property protection. Law schools are adapting , and may offer more specialized programs that reflect the changing landscape of the legal profession.
Sustainability and environmental law are also set to play a larger role in the future. The Pacific Islands face unique challenges when it comes to environmental protection, and as a result, there is an increased demand for legal expertise in this area. Laws governing land, water, and natural resources will continue to be a focal point for private sector firms and government agencies.
The legal community in Hawaii is in the midst of changing dynamics and these are anticipated to move forward and become more entrenched. Keeping abreast of these developments will enable legal experts to best represent the interests of their clients and the general population in the coming years.