John A. Morris

Robert Katz, Director, has been practicing law in Hawaii for over 40 years. During that time he has counseled and represented Hawaii, Mainland and International based clients in both the private and public sectors in antitrust, business, employment and labor and health care transactions and litigation. Mr. Katz has appeared successfully before Hawaii and federal administrative agencies, arbitrators and Hawaii and federal courts. He has also represented both public and private Hawaii, mainland...

Elijah is a commercial litigator. He counsels clients in litigation and non-litigation contexts regarding Internet and information technology law, environmental regulation, health care, and First Amendment rights. He chairs the Digital Media, Internet and Information Technology Law practice group and the Health Care practice group. As a business litigator, Elijah represents clients ranging from publicly traded companies to sole proprietors in disputes concerning a variety of subject matters i...

Jon S. Jacobs is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Jon S., who practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jon S. 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...

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

Lex R. Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Lex R., who practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lex R. 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...

Mr. Kelly focuses his practice in the area of commercial litigation, with particular concentration in intellectual property rights. Mr. Kelly is admitted to the New York and Hawaii Bar and earned his Juris Doctor from New York Law School. He is also a member of the panel with the First Circuit Court Annexed Arbitration Program. Mr. Kelly has been selected to the Hawaii Super Lawyers®, "Rising Star" list in the practice area of IP Litigation (2020-2023). Mr. Kelly has been named to The Bes...

Jesse W. Schiel is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Jesse W., who practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jesse W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Clifford J. Miller is Co-Founder of the firm, a Senior Member of its Executive Committee, and Chairman of the Business/Real Estate practice group. For more than 37 years Cliff has represented and advised institutions and individuals in a broad and widely varied range of business matters, including the following: · Structuring, negotiating and documenting commercial and residential real estate development projects, acquisitions and dispositions, including office buildings, resort hotels...