Lawrence S. Okinaga

Lawrence S. Okinaga


Carlsmith Ball LLP

Recognized since 2005

Honolulu, Hawaii

Practice Areas

Administrative / Regulatory Law

Banking and Finance Law

Consumer Law

Corporate Law

Financial Services Regulation Law

Litigation - Banking and Finance

Project Finance Law

Real Estate Law

Navigate to map location for Lawrence S. Okinaga Call Lawrence S. Okinaga at 808-523-2500
Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2019 - Litigation - Banking and Finance Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2018 - Banking and Finance Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2017 - Litigation - Banking and Finance Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2015 - Financial Services Regulation Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2013 - Banking and Finance Law
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Lawrence Okinaga is a partner in the firm's Honolulu office and a member of its Transactional practice group. He concentrates his practice in the areas of corporate, financial institutions, real estate, and administrative law. Mr. Okinaga has developed this deep experience in representing corporations, partnerships and individuals, for more than 38 years. He regularly advises clients on business matters and supervises the firm's litigators in clients' disputes. He is listed in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2018 for Corporate/Commercial: Finance. He was named Lawyer of the Year—Financial Services Regulation Law—Hawai`i by The Best Lawyers in America 2015, and is also listed for Banking and Finance Law and for Litigation - Banking & Finance; he has been listed in the publication since 2005.

Prior Employment

  • Law Clerk, Hon. Martin Pence, Chief Judge, U.S. District Court, Honolulu, Hawai`i
  • Congressional Assistant, Hon. Spark M. Matsunaga, U.S. House of Representatives
  • Captain, U.S. Air Force Reserve

Community Distinctions

  • President's Award, Board of Advisors of the Alumni Admission Program of Georgetown University, 2013
  • Ho'oulu Leadership Award, Hawai`i Institute for Public Affairs, 2013
  • Burnham Greeley Award, ABA Coalition for Justice, 2011
  • Honolulu Forever Young Award, City and County of Honolulu, 2009
  • The John Carroll Award, Georgetown University, 2007
  • Justice Award, American Judicature Society, 2003
  • Paul R. Dean Award, Georgetown Law Center, 1995
  • Real Dean Award (given to the University's Outstanding Senior), University of Hawai`i

Professional Distinctions

  • Named Best Lawyers 2018 "Lawyer of the Year" - Banking and Finance Law and is also listed as Best Lawyers in America 2018 - Administrative/Regulatory Law; Banking and Finance Law; Consumer Law; Financial Services Regulation Law; Litigation - Banking and Finance; he has been listed in the publication since 2005.
  • Listed in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2017 for Corporate/Commercial: Finance
  • He was named Lawyer of the Year—Financial Services Regulation Law—Hawai`i by The Best Lawyers in America 2015, and is also listed for Banking and Finance Law and for Litigation - Banking & Finance; he has been listed in the publication since 2005.
  • Selected by attorney peers for inclusion in Hawai`i Super Lawyers 2015 for Banking, Business/Corporate, and Real Estate
  • Fellow, American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers, 2007 - Present
  • Frank Simpson III Award, American Bar Association Banking Law Committee, 2006
  • Peer-review ranked AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbellfor more than 30 years
Affiliations
  • American Judicature Society, Chicago, Illinois; President, 1997 - 1999;Hawai`i Chapter, Founder and Director, 1998 - Present
  • Federal Judicial Selection Commission Working Group, Chair, 2005
  • Hawai`i Federal Judicial Selection Commission; Chair, 2005 - 2013
  • Commission on Judicial Conduct, State of Hawaii, Chairman, 1991 - 1994, Commissioner, 1987 - 1994
  • Judicial Selection Commission, State of Hawaii, 1979 - 1987, Vice Chairman, 1983 - 1985, Chairman, 1985 - 1987
  • American Bar Association, Member, House of Delegates, 1991 - 1993
  • American Bar Association, Member, Standing Committee on Judicial Selection, Compensation & Tenure, 1993 - 1996
  • American Bar Association, Member, Standing Committee on Judicial Independence, 1999 - 2002
  • American Bar Association, Member, Business Law Section, 1975 - Present; Member, Real Property, Trust & Estate Law Section; Member, Public Utility, Communications & Transportation Law Section
  • Hawai`i State Bar Association, Secretary & Member, Board of Directors, 1981
  • National Advisory Council, U.S. Small Business Administration, 1994 - 2000
  • White House Conference on Small Business, 1995
  • Real Property Tax Advisory Committee, Honolulu City Council, 1991 - 1994
  • Consumer Advisory Council to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in Washington, D.C., 1984 - 1986; Vice Chairman, 1986; Member, Steering Committee
  • Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Advisory Council, 1995 - 2002
  • Federal Savings and Loan Advisory Council to the Federal Home Loan Bank Board in Washington, D.C., Appointed Member, 1988 - 1989
  • Moiliili Community Center, Trustee, 1992 - Present; Past President; Member, Board of Directors
  • Office of Hawaiian Affairs, State of Hawai`i, Investment Advisory Committee, Member, 2008 - Present
  • Georgetown University Law Center, Board of Visitors, 1993 - Present
  • Georgetown Law Alumni Board, 1986 - 1991
  • Carole Kai Charities, Inc., Great Aloha Run, Chairman, Board of Directors, 2001 - Present
  • Public Schools of Hawai`i Foundation, Board of Trustees, 2004 - 2011
  • Japan-America Society of Hawai`i, Board of Trustees, 2004 - Present
  • Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Member, Board of Directors; Chairman, Bylaws Committee & Legal Counsel, 1982 - 2006
  • Kuakini Health System, Trustee, 1983 - 1988, 1989 - 1992, 1993 - 1996
  • Pacific Rim Foundation, Board of Directors, 1987 - 1993
  • Better Business Bureau of Hawai`i, Board of Directors, 1988 - 1990
  • St. Louis Education Foundation, Board of Directors, 1988 - 1993
  • Governor's Citizens Advisory Committee on Coastal Zone Management
  • Bicentennial Hawai`i Corporation, 1974 - 1977, Secretary

Contact & Links
Location
  • 1001 Bishop Street, Suite 2100
    Honolulu, HI 96813
Education
  • University of Hawaii at Manoa, B.A., graduated 1963
Bar Admissions
  • Hawaii, Hawaii State Bar

Carlsmith Ball LLP
Headquarters: Honolulu, Hawaii

24 The Best Lawyers in America® awards

8 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America awards

Best Law Firms Badge Visit Website View Firm Profile

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2019 - Litigation - Banking and Finance Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2018 - Banking and Finance Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2017 - Litigation - Banking and Finance Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2015 - Financial Services Regulation Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2013 - Banking and Finance Law
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Litigation - Banking and Finance, Honolulu (2019)
  • Banking and Finance Law, Honolulu (2018)
  • Litigation - Banking and Finance, Honolulu (2017)
  • Financial Services Regulation Law, Honolulu (2015)
  • Banking and Finance Law, Honolulu (2013)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 for work in:
  • Administrative / Regulatory Law
  • Banking and Finance Law
  • Consumer Law
  • Corporate Law
  • Financial Services Regulation Law
  • Litigation - Banking and Finance
  • Project Finance Law
  • Real Estate Law
Special Focus:
  • Banking Operations
  • Bankruptcy and Workouts
  • BSA/AML
  • Consumer Finance
  • Corporate Governance
  • Finance
  • Loan Documentation
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Mortgage
  • New Bank Formations
  • Real Estate
  • Regulatory
  • Transactions
  • Trusts
Awards:
  • Lawyer of the Year—Hawaii— Financial Services Regulation Law, 2015
  • Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2018—Corporate/Commercial: Finance

Publications

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