Kirk M. Neste

Maile Miller is a Director of the firm. Ms. Miller is a vital member of the firm’s litigation team, representing clients in a variety of matters. Ms. Miller’s practice focuses on construction, business, and land use litigation, frequently appearing before Hawaii’s State and Federal Courts, in addition to administrative agencies such as the City and County of Honolulu’s Zoning Board of Appeals. Ms. Miller represents a wide variety of corporate and public entity clients,...

Mark Davis, a graduate of Tulane University and Washington University School of Law, has focused his law practice over the last thirty years representing injured victims in cases involving serious personal injury and medical malpractice . Mr. Davis has been extremely active in civil rights litigation throughout the State of Hawaii. He was on The National Board of Directors of the ACLU and was one of Hawaii’s most active civil rights lawyers serving as lead counsel in numerous first amen...

John L. Knorek, a Director at the firm, provides counsel and representation to large and small employers in all aspects of employment and wrongful discharge law. His practice also includes collective bargaining negotiations, affirmative action compliance, mediation and arbitration. He provides training to businesses on employment discrimination and preventative personnel practices, including family leave, disability law and sexual harassment. Mr. Knorek is a founding co-editor of the Hawaii C...

Christian D. Chambers is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Construction. Christian D., 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 Christian D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

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

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.

Steve Lim is an Of Counsel in the firm's Honolulu. He has over twenty years experience on the Big Island, Maui, Kauai, and Oahu in all phases of the real property development process. Mr. Lim concentrates in advising clients on real property due diligence reviews, land use entitlements and administrative issues, including litigation of land use and real property disputes. In 2014, The Best Lawyers in America selected Mr. Lim as Lawyer of the Year (Hawai‘i)—Real Estate Law (Land Us...

Kenneth M. Nakasone is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Kenneth M., 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 Kenneth M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.