Jesse J. T. Smith

Neal T. Gota is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Neal T., who practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Neal T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Harry Y. Oda is a partner in the firm's Honolulu office, concentrating his practice in the areas of corporate law, commercial transactions, estate planning, pension, probate and taxation. Mr. Oda is a member of both the Hawaii and California Bar and has been practicing law since 1987. He was again selected by attorney peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2018 for Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, for Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, for Trusts and Estates, and for ...

Mark Murakami practices in the firm's Dispute Resolution, Real Estate, Construction, and Business & Commercial Law practice groups. His focus is on complex commercial disputes, land use negotiation and litigation, environmental, and general civil litigation. He has appeared in all federal and states courts in Hawaii, most of the administration boards and commissions, and is licensed in the U.S. Supreme Court, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and Court of Federal Claims. He is rated by Marti...

Attorney Jon S. Jacobs is the founding partner of Law Office of Jon S. Jacobs , LLLC, and has practiced law in Honolulu, Hawaii for more than 20 years. He represents plaintiffs in Personal Injury Litigation and Product Liability Litigation, focusing on helping injured individuals and families pursue fair compensation under Hawaii law. Mr. Jacobs is known for providing attentive, client-centered representation and for taking the time to understand each client’s circumstances and legal go...

Matt Evans is a Director of Damon Key and practices in the firm’s Business & Commercial Law, Real Estate, Construction Law, Creditors’ Rights, Insurance, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, and Appeals practice groups. With a primary focus on commercial disputes, Matt aims to provide legal services in a manner that places his clients’ goals at the center, with a mind toward helping them prevent disputes before they occur and, when necessary, resolve disputes by finding ...

Mr. Higa focuses on commercial litigation, construction disputes, and tax controversies. He has experience handling various types of business, real estate, construction, tort, bankruptcy and tax matters in Hawaii State and Federal Courts, as well as the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Higa’s experience includes favorable settlements and decisions for his clients in mediation and arbitration, on dispositive motions in court, on appeal, and through trial, including a jury verdict in e...

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...

Patrick K. Wong is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative / Regulatory Law. Patrick K., who practices law in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Patrick K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Doug’s practice emphasizes taxation, estate planning and business planning. He assists individuals, families and businesses with their legal needs. Doug once again was selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2025 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for his work in Corporate Law, Litigation-Trusts & Estates, Tax Law, and Trusts & Estates. He was also named the Best Lawyers® 2024 Litigation-Trusts & Estates “Lawyer of the Year” in Honolulu. A designa...