Philip J. Leas

Patrick K. Wong is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative / Regulatory Law. Patrick K., who practices law in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Patrick K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ivan M. Lui-Kwan was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii. He has practiced law for over 55 years, focusing on Hawaii’s land use, administrative and real estate law. Mr. Lui-Kwan is highly involved in the community, bringing his legal experience to further goals which support Hawaii’s future. Mr. Lui-Kwan is a Director of the law firm. He is recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® in the practice areas of Real Estate Law, Leisure & Hospitality Law, Land Use & Zoning Law,...

Published Works · Hawaii Conveyance Manual II (Editor), 1988 · Hawaii Commercial Real Estate Manual (Contributing Editor), 1988 Representative Clients · Nauru Tower · Hawaiki Tower · Keauhou Golf Course · Kiahuna Golf Club · Kiahuna Plantation · The Pointe at Poipu · Kiahuna Shopping Village-Phase I · Vista Waikoloa · Hualalai Resort

Steve Egesdal is a Partner in the firm's Honolulu office and is a member of the Transactional practice group. He concentrates his practice on business structure and operations. Steve has assisted a wide variety of business entities in the formation, acquisition, operation, reorganization, and dissolution of corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships and limited liability limited partnerships. He also has extensive litigation experience, and draws o...

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,...

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...

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

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

Dennis M. Lombardi represents real estate developers, hotel, time share and resort owners and operators as well as a variety of large land owners. He concentrates his practice in real estate, land use development and hospitality law. He has extensive experience in acquisitions, sales, mergers, permitting, development, branding and financing of master planned residential, resort, commercial and mixed-use/hotel developments. Mr. Lombardi is President of the firm’s Executive Committee.

Ken is a Fellow in the American College of Construction Lawyers, and has served on the Governing Committee of the American Bar Association’s Forum on the Construction Industry. He has degrees in chemistry from Cornell and meteorology from Penn State. In 1996, Penn State’s College of Earth and Mineral Sciences named him a Centennial Fellow. He was a meteorologist for 4 years, serving as General Staff Weather Briefing Officer in Saigon, Vietnam (7th Air Force), and Chief Forecaster ...