Kapaa Lawyers

I graduated from the University of Washington Law School and was hired by a Hawaii law firm in 1989. I started my solo practice in Paia in 1994 with a focus on estate planning, probate, real property and small business representation. My secretary, Serena, and I have been providing legal services on Maui's north shore for the last 27 years.

Rick Abelmann is a bankruptcy attorney admitted to practice in Hawaii and New York. He graduated in economics before entering law school, and worked for both small and large business and firms in the past. Rick previously practiced corporate and securities law in Hong Kong with Clifford Chance, one of the largest law firms in the world, and also spent time working on the trading floor for the equities division of the Wall Street investment bank Morgan Stanley. He worked on transactions valued at hundreds of millions of dollars on a regular basis.

After leaving the corporate world,...

John L. Olson is an attorney who handles a wide variety of matters from litigation (civil, probate, trust disputes); advising businesses in day to day matters, including contracts and management; transactional work for individuals and business; criminal defense; to Estate Planning in Kona and Kamuela. As a sole practioner he gained a width breadth of knowledge to assist his clients in just about anything. He was born and raised on the Island of O`ahu, and moved to Kona in 1973 with his wife. There, they raised two sons: Robert and Peter Olson, both of whom are...

Diligent and Tenacious Representation, Realistic and Practical Solutions

With a dynamic focus on the practicalities and goals of my clients, I concentrate my law practice in: Dispute Resolution and Litigation /and/ Business and Transactional Law.

- Dispute Resolution and Litigation: As a tenacious advocate for my clients, I have successfully litigated in the Federal U.S. District Court, Hawaii’s Circuit and District Courts, and the Intermediate Court of Appeals. My experience in alternative dispute resolution includes mediation and arbitration, both as counsel for clients and as the mediator/arbitrator.

- Business and Transactional Law: My transactional practice includes the full...

Amy Lawson Woodward is an associate attorney at the Law Office of William H. Lawson, concentrating her practice in the area of plaintiffs' personal injury litigation. Prior to joining her father's firm in 2016, Ms. Woodward practiced law at Carlsmith Ball LLP (one of the top corporate law firms in Hawaii), focusing predominantly on litigating commercial disputes.

Ms. Woodward is ranked in the "Top 10 Under 40" personal injury attorneys in Hawaii by the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys (NAOPIA). She has obtained favorable awards for injured individuals at arbitration and successfully advocated for clients in...

Timothy J. Bilecki is the Managing Attorney at Bilecki Law Group, PLLC. Bilecki Law Group is a Tampa, Florida based law firm which primarily defends US Military service members facing court martial charges. Mr. Bilecki is the founder of firm. Mr. Bilecki specializes in defending military service members against allegations of sexual assault, fraud, drug trafficking, and violent crimes in courts-martial worldwide.

Robert S. Miyashita, founding partner at Miyashita & O’Steen, LLLC, specializes in complex multi-party litigation personal injury cases resulting in wrongful death, serious and catastrophic injuries, including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burn injuries, aquatic injuries, and other injuries, involving motor vehicle negligence (automobile, pedestrian, trucks, motorcycle, airplane, boat, etc.), product liability, premises liability, negligent security, medical malpractice, among other areas of law. Through his practice, Robert has gained significant experience in a wide range of legal areas, including civil litigation, representing both plaintiffs and defendants, people of all ages and demographics, and businesses. Robert recovered millions of dollars for...

Clare Hanusz founded Aloha Immigration in June 2017, after working with the Immigration Practice Group at Damon Key Leong Kupchak Hastert in an Of Counsel affiliation since October 2013.

Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, Clare has lived in Honolulu since 1995 (with an 18-month move to Melbourne, Australia from 2012-2013). After graduating from Ohio University’s Honors Tutorial College in 1991 she moved to Arizona worked for the Valley Religious Task Force on Central America, advocating for immigrants and more just U.S. foreign policies. The opportunity to meet and work with refugees and their attorneys in Arizona propelled Clare...

Duane R. Fisher concentrates his practice in the areas of real estate law, hotels and resorts, construction law, business structure and operations and commercial transactions. Mr. Fisher has represented a wide range of business organizations, from hotel owners, telecommunications companies, general contractors, Wall Street investment firms and multibillion dollar energy development companies to closely held corporations and sole proprietors, in both private transactions and before federal and state administrative agencies.

Mr. Barlow has been selected as one of the Top 10 Personal Injury Lawyers in Hawaii by the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys for demonstrating an "extraordinary amount of knowledge, skill, experience, expertise and success in his practice of personal injury." He is admitted to the Hawaii State Bar and also the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii. He is a member of the Board of Governors for the Hawaii Association for Justice and he is a member of the Hawaii State Bar Association. By invitation from Hawaii State...

Lars Peterson’s practice emphasizes bankruptcy law, criminal defense, insurance coverage disputes, and personal injury. He also practices general civil and commercial litigation and handles commercial transactions and business-related matters.

Mr. Peterson is a U.S. and German attorney. He has been admitted to practice in all courts in the State of Hawai’i and the State of Georgia, the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawai’i, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and is eligible to practice in Germany and European Union member states.

Lars Peterson was born and raised in Germany and relocated to Hawai’i in 1999....

I was born and raised in central Missouri and received my bachelor's degree in International Studies from the University of Missouri in 1996. Following graduation, I moved to Honolulu and attended the University of Hawaii's William S. Richardson School of Law where I received my juris doctorate in 1999. After receiving my JD, I served as a law clerk to the Honorable Victoria S. Marks in the First Circuit Court of the State of Hawaii. In 2000, I accepted a position as a Deputy Public Defender for the State of Hawaii and began my legal career working...

My name is Ofir Raviv and I am a bankruptcy attorney in Hawaii. My office is in Honolulu, Hawaii but I serve clients on all the Hawaiian Islands.
I love helping people, and once you meet me you may be surprised that I am not from Hawaii but was born and raised in Israel where I attended college. I met my wife who is a local girl, got married and moved back to Hawaii where we have made our home.
After I graduated from UH, I worked as a bankruptcy attorney for one of Hawaii’s most prominent consumer bankruptcy law firms...

Ron Heller has been practicing law in Hawaii for over 30 years, concentrating on tax litigation, tax law, and business disputes, primarily dealing with accounting and financial issues. He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant as well as an attorney. Mr. Heller is a Fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel, and a past Chair of the Tax Section of the Hawaii State Bar Association. He has litigated tax cases at the county, state, and federal levels. In addition to tax cases, Ron has represented clients ranging from individual sole proprietors to multi-national corporations in a wide variety...

Kristen Spees is a Nevada, California and Hawaii Estate Planning Attorney. She focuses on Estate Planning such as Wills and Trusts, Deeds, Charitable Giving, Corporate Social Responsibility and Foundations.

She works with her parents, Frank and Judy Spees, who have worked as estate and financial planning attorneys since 1984. Between the two, they are licensed in HI, NV, CA and FL. www.Spees.com. Their son, Justin Spees, began his career as an investment advisor in 2007 and started managing accounts for clients, trusts, foundations, and businesses. He formed Just Advisors in 2008 and has continued to manage the firm which offers...

I am a Hawaii bankruptcy attorney and have 28 years of bankruptcy experience. My entire practice focuses on helping people like you get out from under the crushing burden of debt.

Not all bankruptcy lawyers are the same. Many are very good at putting people on a conveyor belt and moving their cases down the line. After helping thousands of individuals, families and business owners successfully “dump the debt” in bankruptcy, I have learned that nothing is more important than personal attention to each client’s case. When you hire me, you get me. When you call my office, I talk to...

Attorney Marcus Landsberg grew up in Los Angeles but visited his family in Hawaii every summer during his childhood. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas, and after spending a couple of years teaching English in Japan, he earned his Juris Doctorate at the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii.
Marcus spent six and a half years working at the Public Defender’s Office before opening his own firm. With more than 15 years of experience, he has obtained successful case results on behalf of his clients in Honolulu and throughout Hawaii. Not only...

Trevor A. Brown represents clients in both litigation and transactions. His real estate experience ranges from resort acquisition and development to acting as trial counsel to establish beach access rights based on Kingdom of Hawaii land use. Mr. Brown's corporate experience ranges from negotiating corporate restructurings to acting as trial counsel to force the break-up of related land development corporations. Mr. Brown holds Martindale-Hubbell's® highest possible professional rating AV Preeminent®, for both his skill and integrity. Mr. Brown is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© list in fourteen categories: Appellate Practice, Arbitration, Business Organization (including LLC's and Partnerships), Closely Held...

I was raised here on Maui. After graduating from Baldwin High, I received my bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah. Following graduation, I attended Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law. Having grown up on Maui, I have a unique understanding about the island and its people that many Maui attorneys lack. I know what it means to have the “Spirit of Aloha” that makes our island home so special.

My mission is to meet your needs in a way that you understand, eases your mind, and makes you feel empowered in Hawaii’s legal system.

I have zealously...

Jan K. Apo has over 35 years of experience practicing personal injury law in Hawaii. He has taken on hundreds of cases ranging from auto accidents to product liability claims against large corporations. Utilizing his experience and team of experts, Jan K. Apo will fight diligently for the compensation you deserve.

Mr. Apo was born on Maui and attended High School at Kamehameha Schools in Honolulu, Oahu. He then went on to attain a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Whittier College in California. After graduating from the William. S. Richardson School of Law, Mr. Apo worked as...

Nathan Natori has been practicing law in Hawaii since 1992, and has represented clients running the gamut from state and county agencies, large corporations (Nextel, The Queen's Health System, Holland America Line, Kaiser Permanente), and local families and individuals. Whether big or small, each client is important to Mr. Natori and receives the same level of service. Timely responses from an attorney who cares and whom you can trust is what you will receive at Natori Law Office LLLC.

The Hawaii criminal law firm of Harrison & Matsuoka, handles felonies and misdemeanors, drug crimes, sex crimes, white-collar crimes, murder, assaults, gun charges, and domestic violence cases. We have extensive experience in Federal Court, State Court, and Military Courts. Harrison & Matsuoka cares more than just about the case, we care about our clients. Facing a criminal conviction can be devastating to an individual's life, job, reputation, and family. We understand that this experience is traumatic and we are resolved to handle your case in a sensitive matter and by endeavoring to keep your case matter confidential. You can expect...

Tom Farrell is one of the most experienced and respected family law attorneys in Hawaii. With over 28 years in Hawaiis Family Courts, he is the first and only lawyer in Hawaii to be certified as a family law specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (accredited by the American Bar Association). His practice emphasizes complex divorce litigation and related family law issues such as interstate custody disputes, family violence, child support, alimony claims, and division of assets and debts. A retired Colonel in the Army Reserve and a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, he understands the special issues confronting military families. Mr. Farrell, also handles national security...

Mark Bridges is a leading authority on military justice and the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). He is recognized as one of the premier criminal law defense attorneys in the military. Mark brings over 30 years of experience as a criminal law defense attorney and prosecutor, military trial judge, and senior legal advisor to his civilian law practice focused exclusively on the defense of military members in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Ganz and Bridges Law Office LLLC, located on the Island of Oahu, Honolulu, Hawaii, provides state of the art representation and criminal defense...

My passion, legal skill, and commitment to justice stem from years of work in both the private and non-profit sectors. My primary practice is civil rights and liberties both against the government and employers. If you have been discriminated against, harassed at work, or your liberties have been violated, I want to hear from you. At my firm, we believe in making justice work for our clients through efficient, personalized, and outstanding legal services.

Richard Turbin, Esq. is a Honolulu personal injury attorney and a partner at the firm Turbin Chu Heidt, Attorneys at Law. Mr. Turbin has been in private practice for nearly four decades. Attorney Turbin is a graduate of Harvard Law School, and was recently recognized as a Traphagen Distinguished Alumni. He is a former president of the Hawaii State Bar Association. In 1999 and 200, Mr. Turbin served as a chair of the American Bar Association’s Trial and Insurance Practice Section, which has over 40,000 members. Mr. Turbin has also won the section’s 2006 Pursuit of Justice of Award. His...

Roman was formerly a partner at a large Honolulu law firm and has extensive employment litigation experience and trial preparation, representing both businesses and employees alike, in federal and state courts and before federal and state agencies.

He is on the Employment Law Arbitration Panel for National Arbitration and Mediation and an Arbitrator for the State of Hawaii's Court Annexed Arbitration Program. He was selected a "Top Rated Lawyer in Labor and Employment" by American Lawyer Media, the nation's largest publisher of legal media, including the National Law Journal, the American Lawyer, and Corporate Counsel....

Mark R. Simonds is a lifelong resident of Maui, Hawaii, who has served Maui for 30 years as a prosecuting attorney. He is now ready to serve you in your time of need, whether you or a loved one is facing a pending criminal charge, or are in need of representation in a legal matter. Call today and Mark will be happy to speak with you.

James J. Stone was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii and is thoroughly familiar with Hawaii’s multiple cultures and the needs of Hawaii’s residents and visitors. He attended St. Louis High School and graduated from the University of Hawaii. He was a member of the first graduating class from the University of Hawaii’s school of law, and has over 30 years of experience. See www.nulaw.net for more info on background and services.

Hi there. My name's Matthew and I'm the owner and attorney for Akamai Law, LLLC. I provide legal services for people for a variety of cases and am always eager for new challenges and to find innovative solutions to my client's concerns. I have a great deal of experience working on criminal defense cases from criminal traffic cases to felonies and DUIs and everything in between from my time representing indigent clients with the Office of the Public Defender in Kailua-Kona. I also have experience with family criminal and TRO cases, juvenile criminal cases, and mental health cases from that...

Peter S.R. Olson is an attorney who handles a wide variety of matters, including: litigation (civil, family, and criminal), transactional, and business formation/advisement in Kona and Kamuela.

He was born and raised in South Kona on the Big Island of Hawai`i. He is the son of John L. Olson, founder of the firm. Peter has assisted his father at the firm since he was five years old.
Peter received his Juris Doctor and Environmental Law Certificate from Univerisity of Hawai`i at Manoa's William S. Richardson School of Law in 2005. After law school, he clerked for the Honorable Glenn...

Since 1995, I've been an attorney at Kurzban Kurzban Tetzeli & Pratt, P.A., where I became an equity partner in 2013. As the managing partner of our esteemed 40+ year law firm, I lead with a commitment to excellence in representing our clients. With a focus on trial law, my dedication to securing maximum compensation and justice for our clients is reflected in the verdicts and settlements I've obtained. I graduated from the University of Alabama in 1992 with honors, earning a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Miami School of Law in 1995. Admitted to the bar in Florida,...

Scott A. Makuakane has been practicing law in the areas of estate planning, trust and estate administration, asset protection, estate and gift taxation, and probate since 1983.   Mr. Makuakane has written various training manuals and articles for lawyers concerning estate planning, including authoring the Estate Planning Checklist and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax chapters of the Hawaii State Bar Association’s Encyclopedia of Estate Planning. Mr. Makuakane is also a regular contributor to Generations Magazine, a Hawaii-based publication that shares important information and tips for seniors. His column focuses on estate planning issues and is written in an easy to digest non-legalese style.     Scott Makuakane’s...

Bill was a founding member of the firm in 1989 and was a partner through 2003. He is currently “Of Counsel” to the firm in light of his executive responsibilities with National Golf Courses, Inc. In his nearly 25 years of trial practice in Hawaii, Bill has represented a wide variety of clients as plaintiffs or defendants in matters involving wrongful death, serious personal injury, real estate and business litigation, and environmental litigation. Over the years, his clients have included major insurance companies such as State Farm, Allstate, Colonial Penn, USAA, Home Insurance, National Union and United Pacific, major corporations...

Dennis W. Potts was born in Santa Monica, California, December 17, 1945. He was admitted to the California and Hawai’i state Bars in 1971. He has practiced before the state courts of California and Hawai’i, the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawai’i, the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.A resident of Hawai’i for more than 45 years, Attorney Dennis W. Potts has been providing legal representation to the state of Hawai’i for over 40 years. Attorney Potts is dedicated to providing his...

I practice in the area of civil lawsuits and disputes and specialize in disputes involving personal injury, trusts/estates, real estate transactions, business/corporations, and sex assault claims. I represent clients in federal court, state court, arbitrations, administrative hearings, and mediations. I have received an AV-Preeminent peer-review rating from Martindale-Hubbell. If you would like to discuss any legal issues, please feel free to contact me. E-Mail: dchen@rmhawaii.com Phone: (808) 225-6535 Fax: (808) 521-0597

Stephen has historically represented clients in a wide range of civil, commercial litigation matters. He was born in New Jersey, raised in Wilmington, Delaware, attended university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, and went on to obtain his juris doctoris from New York University School of Law in 1995, after which, he remained and practiced in New York for 10 years at such international firms as Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy and Morrison & Foerster. Stephen moved to Hawai‘i in 2005 and joined the firm of Alston Hunt Floyd & Ing, where...