Bennett J. Chin

Ross Uehara-Tilton is a Director in the firm’s Business & Commercial Law, Tax Planning and Controversy, Trust and Probate Litigation, Estate Planning, and Appellate Litigation practice groups. He earned his law degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, William S. Richardson School of Law where he served as Co-Editor-in-Chief and Staff Writer for the University of Hawaii Law Review . Ross has once again been named to the 2025 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America list in t...

Michael R. Cruise is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Michael R. practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii Best Lawyers has recognized Michael R. Cruise since 2017. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Michael R. Cruise is held by other lawy...

Michael Livingston is an honors graduate of Harvard University (1970). Mr. Livingston specializes in litigation, and focuses on the representation of plaintiffs in cases involving medical negligence , major personal injuries , substantial commercial disputes, insurance bad faith , and violations of civil liberties . Recognized for many years as one of Honolulu Magazine’s “Best Lawyers” in both personal injury law and medical malpractice law,

A. Bernard “Bernie” Bays is a Director of the firm. Mr. Bays has over 50 years of experience and has successfully represented clients in numerous landmark Hawaii litigation cases and over 150 trials or arbitrations. Mr. Bays focuses his practice in the areas of complex commercial litigation, business litigation, real estate litigation, trusts and estates litigation, legal malpractice law-defendant litigation, real estate law and land use and zoning law. Mr. Bays is Board Certified...

Tom Daniel concentrates his law practice in federal and State tax planning, resolution of tax disputes, organization and structuring of business ventures, solving practical business legal problems, purchases and sales of businesses, structuring and acquiring real property interests, and structuring tax-advantaged means for acquiring, holding, operating and disposing of real estate and business investments. Mr. Daniel also provides estate and trust planning advice and services for his clients....

Ian Wesley-Smith is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Construction. Ian practices law in Hilo, Hawaii Best Lawyers has recognized Ian Wesley-Smith since 2027. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Ian Wesley-Smith is held by other lawyers.

Ken is a Fellow in the American College of Construction Lawyers, and has served on the Governing Committee of the American Bar Association’s Forum on the Construction Industry. He has degrees in chemistry from Cornell and meteorology from Penn State. In 1996, Penn State’s College of Earth and Mineral Sciences named him a Centennial Fellow. He was a meteorologist for 4 years, serving as General Staff Weather Briefing Officer in Saigon, Vietnam (7th Air Force), and Chief Forecaster ...

Craig K. Shikuma is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation and Construction Law. Craig K. practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii Best Lawyers has recognized Craig K. Shikuma since 2019. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Craig K. Shikuma is held by other lawyers.

Gerald A. Sumida is a partner in Carlsmith Ball LLP's Honolulu office and Chair of the firm's Corporate & Business Practice Group. He concentrates on business structuring and operations, including corporate, limited liability company, joint venture and partnership matters; business acquisitions; sales and mergers; securities law; start-up company and venture capital financing; administrative and public utilities law; energy law, including energy project development and project finance; an...

Joy Miyasaki is a Partner in the firm’s Honolulu office, and a member of the Tax, Estate Plan and Trust Administration practice group, concentrating in tax and estate planning, wealth preservation and asset protection, charitable planning and tax-exempt organizations, trust and estate administration, and trust and estate disputes and litigation. Joy received an A.B. and J.D. from Georgetown University. Her prior experience includes being a trial attorney with the IRS Office of Chief Cou...