Derek R. Kobayashi

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

Stuart Kodish is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Stuart, 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 Stuart is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Craig P. Wagnild is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Governance Law and Real Estate Law. Craig P., who practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Craig P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michelle K. Correia is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Real Estate. Michelle K., 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 Michelle K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael Lam is a director/shareholder and a member of the firm's Executive Committee. He concentrates his practice in the area of litigation, including construction and development law, trade name and trademark infringement, insurance defense, real property issues, products liability and personal injury and general litigation matters. Mr. Lam’s practice also encompasses a range of transactions, including commercial, industrial office and retail development, leasing and sales. Mr. Lam ha...

Ronald I. Heller has been practicing law in Honolulu for over 30 years, in the areas of tax litigation, business/commercial litigation, taxation and business law. He received both JD and MBA degrees from the University of Michigan, and 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 federa...

David Wong is a partner in the firm's Honolulu office and a member of its Tax, Estate Planning & Pension Practice Group. His practice emphasizes federal and Hawai‘i tax aspects of commercial transactions and business enterprises. Mr. Wong has done extensive work in the areas of business organizations, entity structuring, acquisitions, divestitures, and debt workouts. He is listed in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2018 for Corporate/Commercial: Tax (Band 1) . Da...

Vicki Nakahara is a Partner in the firm's Honolulu office and is a member of the Transactional practice group. She concentrates her practice in the areas of commercial real estate transactions, financing and lending, and corporate transactions. Ms. Nakahara began her legal career working as an associate at Lane Powell PC in their Portland, Oregon office. Representative Matters Commercial Real Estate Prepared and negotiated documentation of the sales of real property on behalf of sellers and b...

Stacey W.E. Foy is a director and shareholder and is a member of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group. She has substantial experience in purchase and sale, development and financing transactions. Ms. Foy has negotiated and documented purchase and sale transactions involving D.R. Horton- Schuler Homes, LLC, Marriott International, Inc., Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation, Crescent Heights Acquisitions, Grove Farm Company, Incorporated and its subsidiaries, among other clients. She...

Tom Van Winkle is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Tom, who practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2001. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Tom is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.