Paia 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.

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.

Eric Ferrer is a trial attorney achieving many multimillion dollar verdicts and settlements for his clients. During his 36 year career he has handled cases in diverse and varied areas of law including personal injury, civil rights, home owner association disputes, sexual harassment and abuse, product liability, aviation, business litigation, sports law, class actions, franchise disputes, among others. Mr. Ferrer began his legal career as an attorney working with Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. He worked with Mr. Cochran for 21 years ultimately serving as a managing partner of the firm’s Los Angeles office. During this period...

Brown University 1985 BA with Honors.
Bates College of Law (Houston) 1988.

After thirty years of hammering insurance companies in Texas, I chose to live the dream and move to Maui, Hawaii. Texas is tough, and so are the court systems. But I was a winner there, and I'll bring a sharply honed set of skills to bear on your case here in Hawaii. I'm a tough, smart trial lawyer with the resources to file your case and win it. I'll hire experts on liability and damages. I'll cross examine the hell out of the opposing witnesses....

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...

Successful, affordable criminal, DUI, traffic, and general practice attorney Damir Kouliev based on Maui. Call or text the Kouliev firm at 808-854-7558 for quality legal representation that you can afford, with the personal attention that your case requires. 24 hour service available.

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...

Joy Yanagida started Yanagida & Associates in 1991, specializing in business law, real estate disputes, and family law. She received her J.D. from the Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California at Berkeley and her A.B. with distinction from Stanford University. She is admitted to practice law in Hawaii, the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. She also is an inactive member of the California and District of Columbia bars. Before starting Yanagida & Associates, Ms. Yanagida served in these positions: ...

Jean-Claude Mademba-Sy is admitted to practice in Hawaii and the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii. He earned his J.D. at the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii and his B.S. in industrial relations at the University of Montreal, Canada. Mr. Mademba-Sy has been the firm's business manager since 1995, bringing his business acumen and managerial experience to the firm's litigation projects. He is the architect of the firm's highly automated infrastructure. Before joining Yanagida & Associates, he was the manager of Philips Electronics' Financial Business Systems division in Toronto, the Director General Adjoint of...

Blake Goodman received his law degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. in 1989 and has been exclusively practicing bankruptcy-related law in Texas, New Mexico, and Hawaii ever since. In the past, attorney Goodman was a Certified Public Accountant, receiving his license from the State of Maryland in 1988. Attorney Goodman specializes in providing solutions to debt burdens and tax problems. He has helped over 8,000 individuals and families alleviate financial setbacks caused by overwhelming debt problems. Attorney Goodman is a member of the Hawaii State Bar Association, the Federal Bankruptcy Law Section, the Tax Freedom Institute, and the...

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...

Danielle Nelisse has successfully handled hundreds of immigration cases for individuals and companies to obtain work visas and marriage green cards (including same sex marriage green cards) for foreign nationals who living throughout America. Danielle Nelisse is an experienced immigration attorney who was admitted in the District of Columbia in 1999 and practices exclusively 100% immigration law in all 50 American states and abroad.

Na Lan is a director of Damon Key Leong Kupchak Hastert. Her practice areas are Condominium and Community Association Law, Business and Real Property Transactions and Dispute Resolution, and Immigration. Born and raised in China, she is fluent in both Mandarin Chinese and English. She co-taught Property I at William S. Richardson School of Law as a Lecturer in Law in Spring of 2020. She graduated cum laude from the University of Hawaii’s William S. Richardson School of Law. She was the Managing Editor of the Asia Pacific Law & Policy Journal, and also served as an intern for Judge...

Mr. Yoo's practice focuses on tax and bankruptcy litigation. He has represented clients in both criminal and civil cases against the California Franchise Tax Board, State Board of Equalization and Employment Development Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS). He has handled matters including IRS and sales tax audits, tax fraud investigations, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR) and innocent spouse claims. Mr. Yoo also represents debtors and creditors in Chapter 7, 11 & 13 bankruptcy proceedings, including tax bankruptcy cases.

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...

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...

I realize there are many law firms competing for the privilege of representing you in your legal matter. I realize you have a difficult decision in determining which law firm would best serve your interests. I have worked hard for the past 21 years to distinguish my law firm from the others, and to build my reputation as an aggressive advocate for my clients offering honest and well reasoned legal advice. As you browse our website, you will quickly get a feel for what we call our “Commitment to Excellence.” Marc J. Victor has represented clients in more than...

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...

Greg Dunn has over 25 years experience as a bankruptcy attorney having completed over 13,000 bankruptcy cases as well as helping families avoid bankruptcy through other debt relief solutions. Greg has also helped many families save their homes from foreclosure. Greg has stopped creditor harassment and pay garnishments. He is a former Navy JAG attorney who served on the U.S.S. Missouri. Greg is also a Kamehameha Schools graduate born and raised on the Leeward side of the Island of Oahu. Greg has helped local families and members of the military in filing for bankruptcy relief and saving homes...

J. Porter DeVries began his career at the Wall Street firm of Segal Gebski, where he represented clients encountering construction, business, real estate, and international disputes. With Condominium and Community Association clients, Porter focuses on enabling Boards of Directors to establish and maintain the highest standards of good governance. Underscoring the firm’s proactive approach, he leads DeVries’ preventative counseling and strategic planning services, as well as ensuring that Boards are legally protected in disputes and thrive in the myriad aspects of governing Hawaii’s diverse associations. Leading the firm’s Real Estate and Commercial Litigation sector, Porter routinely...

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....

Barry Sooalo has practiced law in the courts of Washington D.C., Hawaii and American Samoa. Barry's Sooalo's broad and highly specialized experience in the areas of criminal law, government relations, lobbying and legislation, customs law, business transactions, civil litigation, and appellate law, makes him a much sought after litigator and legal counsel in Hawaii for clients from Hawaii and for clients from abroad who require legal counsel and representation for legal matters in Hawaii and elsewhere. Mr. Sooalo is a veteran of the US Army.

Although the Law Offices of William H. Lawson are physically located in the State of Hawaii, we have assisted on Hawaii matters for clients and co-counsel from all over the United States and many parts of the world. To date, Mr. Lawson has represented residents of: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Montana, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia & Wisconsin as well as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Guam, Samoa, Korea, Japan, Micronesia & the Philippines....

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...

Judith Ann Pavey has successfully handled personal injury cases in Hawaii since 1977 and continues this important work as Of Counsel at Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher. The law firm is ranked by U.S. News-Best Lawyers® since 2010 as "Best Law Firm" in its core business of Real Estate Law and Commercial Litigation, and also Personal Injury Litigation, Medical Malpractice Law and Product Liability Litigation(since 2012), solely based on Ms. Pavey's contribution. Ms. Pavey has been named by The Best Lawyers in America©, as a Lawyer of the Year in Honolulu in the practice areas of Banking & Finance Litigation...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Bridget represents clients in a wide range of civil and commercial litigation matters, with an emphasis on consumer class actions. Her experience includes representation of injured consumers against hotels, restaurants, banks, and other corporations, of debtors, creditors, and bankruptcy trustees in bankruptcy litigation matters, and of citizens and public figures in civic matters of public importance. Bridget has practiced in the State, Federal District, and Bankruptcy Courts of Hawaii and Washington State, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and has argued before the Ninth Circuit Bankruptcy Appellate Panel. Bridget was named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers from 2013-2017 and...

Mr. Zahaby moved from Kauai, Hawaii to Honolulu in 1994 and has been back and forth between the two islands ever since. He believes that attorneys should act as counselors helping their clients to make wise decisions with aloha rather than encouraging litigation. Mr. Zahaby concentrates on non-litigation, non-adversarial practice in the areas of real estate, estate planning and asset protection planning through creation of Limited Liability Companies.