Elbridge W. Smith

Neil is a partner in Cox Wootton Lerner Griffin & Hansen, LLP (CWL), a regional law firm serving the Western U.S. and Pacific Rim. He practices maritime and transportation law. He’s been designated a Southern California "Super Lawyer" for 2012-2024 and been recognized by Best Lawyers in America since 2021. He represents domestic and foreign insurers in first and third-party cases, and local maritime and transportation companies in business litigation. Neil has been featured in the L...

Mr. Schmitt served as a surface line officer after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy with a degree in Ocean Engineering. After five years of service as a gunnery/missile officer, ASW officer and Admiral's Aide, he went to law school. Following graduation in 1984, Mr. Schmitt has practiced law with a base in Honolulu concentrating on commercial and construction litigation, admiralty and marine matters. In addition, he simultaneous served over 20 years as a Naval Reseve JAG officer retirin...

Nicholas J. Lezak is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. Nicholas J., 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 Nicholas J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Puananionaona P. Thoene is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative / Regulatory Law, Environmental Law and Land Use and Zoning Law. Puananionaona P., 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 Puananionaona P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Gail represents many of Hawaii’s major private and public hospitals and medical centers, physicians and other healthcare providers in medical malpractice cases before the Medical Inquiry Conciliation Panel (MICP) and in state and federal courts. Gail was recognized by Best Lawyers as “Lawyer of the Year” in 2023 for Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants in Honolulu, Hawaii. In January 2024, Gail was lead counsel and obtained a defense verdict for a medical center in a c...

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.

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...

Normand R. Lezy is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Normand R., who practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Normand R. 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...

Mr. Wong concentrates on real estate acquisitions, sales, financing and development, business consultation, and related areas. He has participated in transactions involving the acquisition, financing, development, operation and/or sale of resort hotels, golf courses, commercial office buildings, shopping centers, residential condominium projects, vacant land, and ongoing business concerns. His clients include real estate companies, resort hotel owners, developers, and financial institutions, ...