Mihoko E. Ito

Sarah M. Love is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law and Litigation - Construction. Sarah M., 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 Sarah M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Bert T. Kobayashi, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Antitrust Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation and Construction Law. Bert T., who practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been recognized since 1993. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Bert T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Gregory M. Sato is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Labor Law - Management. Gregory M., who practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gregory M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

A. Bernard “Bernie” Bays is a Director of the firm. Mr. Bays has over 50 years of experience successfully representing clients in over 150 landmark Hawaii litigation cases. Mr. Bays focuses his practice in the areas of complex commercial litigation, business litigation, real estate litigation, trusts and estates litigation, legal malpractice law-defendant litigation, real estate law and land use and zoning law. Mr. Bays is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the National Board o...

Trevor A. Brown represents clients in both litigation and transactions. His real estate experience ranges from resort acquisition and development to acting as trial counsel to establish beach access rights based on Kingdom of Hawaii land use. Mr. Brown's corporate experience ranges from negotiating corporate restructurings to acting as trial counsel to force the break-up of related land development corporations. Mr. Brown counsels trustees and beneficiaries in trust matters and also represent...

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: A...

Nicholas J. Lezak is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. Nicholas J., who practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nicholas J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John P. Manaut is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Construction, Litigation - Environmental, Litigation - Insurance, Litigation - Land Use and Zoning, Litigation - Real Estate and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. John P., 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 John P. is held by othe...