Michael J. Belles
About Michael J. Belles
Michael J. Belles is a lawyer based in Lihue, HI and has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2006. Michael J. Belles is recognized in the following practice areas:
- Lihue, Hawaii
- Land Use and Zoning Law
- Real Estate Law
Current Firm: Belles Graham LLP
Education: Gonzaga University, J.D., graduated 1975
Location: Lihue, HI
It takes just a few minutes to optimize your profile for clients looking to engage and lawyers who are ready to refer.
Activate your profile and highlight why your peers recognized in Best Lawyers today.
Nearby Lawyers
Brian T. Hirai joined the firmin 1996 as a member of its business/real estate department. His practice is concentrated primarily in public finance.He has over 40 years of experience as a public finance attorney, serving variously as bond counsel, issuer’s counsel, underwriter’s counsel, borrower’s counsel, trustee’s counsel and credit enhancer’s counsel in a broad range of taxable and tax-exempt bond issues for state and local governmental units, including govern...
Carlito P. Caliboso is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Communications Law, Energy Regulatory Law and Utilities Law. Carlito P., who practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Carlito P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Shawn Benton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice and Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Shawn, who practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Shawn is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
John R. Aube is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law. John R., who practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Karl Kobayashi concentrates his practice in the area of commercial real estate with an emphasis on sales, acquisitions, leasing, financing and development. He also practices in the area of entitlements (land use and zoning law) and has represented clients in contested case and other regulatory proceedings before agencies such as the State of Hawai`i Land Use Commission, the Hawai`i Community Development Authority (Kaka`ako), the City and County of Honolulu Zoning Board of Appeals, the Maui Pl...
Ms. Strona is a Director of the firm. Ms. Strona focuses her practice in the areas of commercial real estate transactions, leasing, commercial asset and equity sales and acquisitions, and corporate law. Ms. Strona has been selected to the Hawaii Super Lawyers® list since 2025, and the Hawaii Super Lawyers®, "Rising Star" list in the practice area of Real Estate Law since 2020. Ms.Strona has been named to T he Best Lawyers in America ® 2026 list in the practice area of Real Estate ...
Stacey W.E. Foy is a director and shareholder and is a member of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group. She has substantial experience in purchase and sale, development and financing transactions. Ms. Foy has negotiated and documented purchase and sale transactions involving D.R. Horton- Schuler Homes, LLC, Marriott International, Inc., Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation, Crescent Heights Acquisitions, Grove Farm Company, Incorporated and its subsidiaries, among other clients. She...
Kenneth B. Marcus is Director Emeritus of the firm who has practiced law since 1972. Mr. Marcus is experienced in the areas of commercial real estate law, development, finance, leasing, purchases and sales. He also has extensive experience in Hawaii business law including the formation of partnerships and limited liability companies, and corporate finance. His real property practice includes the development, acquisition, sale, financing and restructuring of hotels, office buildings and shoppi...
Grant F. Allison is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Real Estate. Grant F., 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 Grant F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
J. George Hetherington is the President of the firm and Chair of its Corporate Department. He has been with the firm since 1978 and his practice is focused in the areas of corporate and health care law.Mr. Hetherington's corporate practice revolves around mergers, acquisitions, divestures, capital formation, securities law, joint ventures, contract negotiation and preparation and other transactional work for new and established Hawaii businesses and national and international companies doing ...
Explore and Learn
Recognizing Legal Leaders: The 2027 Best Lawyers Awards in Australia, Japan and Singapore
by Jamilla Tabbara
Market drivers, diversity trends and the elite practitioners shaping the legal landscape.
Holiday Pay Explained: Federal Rules and Employer Policies
by Bryan Driscoll
Understand how paid holidays work, when employers must follow their policies and when legal guidance may be necessary.
Can a Green Card Be Revoked?
by Bryan Driscoll
Revocation requires a legal basis, notice and the chance to respond before status can be taken away.
How Far Back Can the IRS Audit You?
by Bryan Driscoll
Clear answers on IRS statutes of limitations, recordkeeping and what to do if you are under review.
Musk v. Altman: The Lawyers Behind the Case
by Jamilla Tabbara
Meet the Trial Lawyers Shaping One of AI's Biggest Legal Disputes.
Can You File Bankruptcy on Credit Cards
by Bryan Driscoll
Understanding your options for relief from overwhelming debt.
US Tariff Uncertainty Throws Canada Into Legal Purgatory
by Bryan Driscoll
The message is clear: There is no returning to pre-2025 normalcy.
The Legal Teams Behind the Blake Lively–Justin Baldoni Settlement
by Grace Greer
A closer look at the legal teams and attorneys involved in the Blake Lively–Justin Baldoni litigation and its resolution.
How AI Is Changing the Way Clients Find Lawyers
by Jamilla Tabbara
Best Lawyers CEO Phil Greer explains how AI-driven search tools are reshaping legal marketing and why credibility markers matter.