Makaweli Lawyers

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...

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

As an attorney and counselor at law, Christopher D. Thomas has founded his practice on the principles of assertive, energetic, yet personable representation of clients who face the most difficult of legal challenges. Chris understands the daunting tasks facing those he represents, and approaches these problems with the most proactive and resourceful strategies available. He knows that clients want real results, want them quickly, and in the most cost-effective manner possible. Whether via aggressive courtroom litigation, use of alternative dispute resolution, or just practical down to earth advice, success is founded by moving boldly forward to resolution in the...

Jim Bickerton is an experienced and accomplished Hawaii Attorney. For more than 35 years he has represented clients in an array of areas, including Commercial and Real Estate Litigation, Consumer Class Actions, Professional Liability, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, and First Amendment and Defamation matters. Jim's skilled and knowledgeable advocacy has led to hundreds of successful outcomes.

Jim has received numerous awards. He has been named among Hawaii’s A+ Attorneys, as well as Best Lawyer in Commercial Litigation, Real Estate Litigation, Legal Malpractice, Personal Injury, and Plaintiff Medical Malpractice. Jim has also been named a Super Lawyer for consecutive years....

Jeremy K. O'Steen has a passion for community safety. Jeremy seeks to raise the bar on safety standards for all by holding negligent individuals and corporations accountable and pursuing justice for his clients. Jeremy has spent the entirety of his legal practice serving individuals and families who have been injured by negligent and wrongful actions of others. When Jeremy first began his legal career in Pennsylvania, he served as an extern for the United States Magistrate Susan E. Schwab in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, and later as an associate pursuing civil rights and just...

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.

Ms. Hirota began her law practice in Ohio as an associate with Taft, Stettinius & Hollister, a large law firm in Cincinnati. After practicing immigration law in Ohio for two years, Ms. Hirota returned to her family in Hawaii and joined Lynch & Farmer in 1997. She was named a partner of Lynch Ichida Thompson Kim & Hirota in 2002 and left that firm to found Hirota & Associates in 2009. Ms. Hirota’s practice concentrates solely in U.S. Immigration and Nationality law. Ms. Hirota is an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, having served on the following...

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.

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.

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.

Jason comes to BFL from a background litigating at Skadden on behalf of some of the world’s largest companies, but he also has the experience of being owner/salesperson/janitor at a true mom-and-pop operation in Kona: Big Island Running Company. Whatever the size of your operation or problem, Jason will take a pragmatic approach in formulating a solution that is effective and efficient. While he loves helping his clients succeed in litigation, he also finds it equally (if not more) rewarding to help a client put in place a carefully drafted agreement or well-thought-out strategy that keeps them out of litigation...

Kendal was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, and graduated from the Kamehameha Schools. He received his Bachelor of Arts in History from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, and his Juris Doctorate from the Houston College of Law (formerly South Texas College of Law) in Houston, Texas. Kendal is a member of the Hawaii State Bar Association, the HSBA Family Law Section, and the HSBA Bankruptcy Section, the American Bankruptcy Institute, and the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys. He is also a member of the Bradley University Chapter of Delta Tau Delta. Kendal and his wife are the...

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.

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...

Hawaiian National involved in independence advocacy for Hawaii. Learned in decolonization, international law, community movements, and how to walk the crooked path straight. Written and spoken on deep cultures, creating new societies with new values, and the processes of decolonization. Radio and T.V. host for the Hawaiian National Broadcast Corporation in program entitled, "Hawaiian Potpourri" and principle contributer to www.hawaiianperspectives.org.

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...

Michael Garbarino, founder & owner of GARBARINOLAW LLLC, provides client-centered legal services everywhere on Hawaii's Big Island, including by providing free iniital consultations and making house calls. Michael has over two decades of experience as a practicing lawyer, having served in both private practice and public service roles, both in Texas, and now in Hawaii. Michael's work has included positions of significant responsibility in public service, including all of the following: ? DIRECTOR OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL TEXAS HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES SYSTEM AUSTIN, TX 2006 - 2011 ? Served as Deputy Chief Counsel, Director of Sanctions,...

Mr. Thomas graduated from the University of Florida in 1984 and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida College of Law in December 1987. He became a member of the California Bar in 1988. With over 1,500 cases and 26 years of experience in every type of investment case Mr. Thomas has a proven track record of success. As an advocate for investors Mr. Thomas utilizes his extensive experience and knowledge of the securities and commodities markets as a former licensed Series 7 stockbroker and Series 3 commodities broker with Shearson Lehman Brothers. His professional memberships include the...

As the landscape for legal services evolves, our fundamental goal is to continuously elevate our level of service to clients and control costs at the same time. To accomplish this important goal, a creative approach to solving legal problems becomes crucial. We believe creativity means finding the right solution unique for each individual client, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach. We also rely on innovative technologies to enhance client value. It is our pleasure to provide you with such services. We are here to help and we take pride in doing so. Contracts Immigration Environmental Law Agency...

David is one of the nation’s most respected lemon law attorneys. He is an attorney in good standing and has been admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Hawaii. He is the founding attorney of the lemon law firm David J. Gorberg & Associates, P.C. and concentrates his practice in the field of Lemon Law and Breach of Warranty. His firm has represented more than 30,000 clients for lemon law claims against all auto manufacturers throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Hawaii, and has recovered more than 500 million dollars in settlements. The firm maintains lemon...

2003 to Present: Sole Practitioner, Honokaa, Hawaii General practice with an emphasis on bankruptcy law, consumer issues, and real estate law. I represent individuals and business owners under chapter 7, and chapter 11, chapter 12, chapter 13, and one bankruptcy trustee. I have represented individuals in preference actions brought by chapter 7 trustees in other jurisdictions. Based on my experience working on highly complicated bankruptcy cases, I have successfully confirmed client's chapter 12s for which they received a discharge. I also represent clients in real estate matters including the purchase and sale of residential real estate, landlord...

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,...

Ms. McMillen has extensive state and federal experience in sentencing, appellate litigation and post-conviction proceedings. In her federal practice she represented clients in some of the most complex and rigorous prosecutions in Hawai`i’s federal court history, including an appeal from a conviction for selling military stealth technology to foreign governments. She has also represented clients in cases involving: tax fraud and evasion; mortgage fraud; immigration fraud; immigration offenses; misuse of public funds; alien smuggling; mail fraud; wire fraud; drug trafficking. In addition, she represents clients in family law and divorce cases. For more about...

Robert K. Olson, is an attorney who handles a wide variety of matters. With an emphasis in litigation, Robert handles civil, probate, trust, family, and criminal cases in the District, Family, and Circuit Courts in Kealakekua, Kailua-Kona, and Kamuela.

Robert was born and raised in Kona. He attended Konawaena Elementary and graduated from Hawaii Preparatory Academy in 1995, where he ran track, cross-country(Captain), and played basketball. At HPA received the Career Athlete Award.

Robert attained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1999 at Brandeis University in Massachusetts (Cross Country - Captain, All-American). Robert received his Juris Doctor Degree in 2002 from Western...

Jeff Mulford attended California Western School of Law in San Diego, California on a creative problem solving scholarship. When Mr.Mulford first started practicing in 2010, he represented numerous Chapter 7 clients throughout Southern California during the height of the foreclosure crisis. Jeff enjoys practicing bankruptcy law because it provides relief to people going through difficult times and puts them on a fresh start towards a brighter financial future. Prior to law school, Jeff earned an M.B.A. with a concentration in finance from California State University, Long Beach, and a B.A. from the University of California at Davis. Jeff moved to Hawaii...

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. Honolulu bankruptcy attorney ...

As a partner at the firm Turbin Chu Heidt, Attorneys at Law, Honolulu lawyer Rai Saint Chu guides injury victims through the legal process. For over 42 years, she has been licensed to practice law. Ms. Chu has had a diverse legal career, including time spent as an attorney for the state legislature, a lobbyist and pub defender. Attorney Chu has devoted considerable efforts to supporting women in the legal community as the founder of Hawaii Women Lawyers and president of the Hawaii Women’s Legal Foundation. Contact her firm today for a consultation.