Christopher J. "Chris" Cole

John Khil is the Chair of the firm's Tax practice group, and concentrates in tax law with an emphasis on pensions, profit sharing and employee benefits. He is a former attorney-advisor in the Employee Plans and Exempt Organizations Division, Office of Chief Counsel, Internal Revenue Service in Washington, D.C., where he was responsible for providing legal opinions, drafting Treasury regulations, and assisting in the formulation of tax legislation relating to pension and welfare plans. Mr. Khi...

William Harstad is a Partner in the firm's Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution practice group. He has experience in numerous arbitrations and litigations, with amounts in dispute ranging from the tens of thousands of dollars to hundreds of millions of dollars. Mr. Harstad has also represented both secured and unsecured creditors in bankruptcy proceedings on both the East Coast and in Hawai`i, including in various adversary proceedings.Mr. Harstad's litigation experience is broad and...

Loretta A. Sheehan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Civil Rights Law, Commercial Litigation and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Loretta A., who practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Loretta A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Brenda Hustis Gotanda is a partner with the law firm of Manko, Gold, Katcher & Fox LLP and leads the firm’s sustainability practice group. She has over 25 years of experience representing and counseling business clients on environmental matters, including regulatory compliance, permitting, transactions, project development, and enforcement. She provides strategic guidance to clients seeking to reduce risk and enhance value by integrating environmental compliance and sustainability i...

Joseph H. Goldcamp is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships). Joseph H., who practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Joseph H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Shawn Benton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice and Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Shawn, who practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Shawn is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kimi M. Ide-Foster is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Kimi M., who practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kimi M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joseph A. Ernst is a Director of the firm and a member of the employment law department. His practice involves counseling and defending employers in all aspects of employment law, including defense of wrongful discharge, discrimination, harassment, whistleblower, and retaliation claims. He also assists clients with employer compliance with state and federal employment and labor laws. Practice Areas: Labor and Employment, Employment Litigation, Employment Compliance, Labor Relations

Jordan Inafuku is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Construction. Jordan, who practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jordan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.