Russell S. Kato

Michael J. Nakano is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Michael J., who practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Following graduation from law school, Michael served as a law clerk to the Honorable Jon J. Chinen, United States Bankruptcy Judge for the District of Hawaii. Since joining the firm in 1980, he has continued to use his expertise in bankruptcy law, the main emphasis of his practice. Michael also practices in the areas of bankruptcy & creditor’s rights, business & commercial, dispute resolution, and real estate & land use. In 1992, he and DKLKH colleague, Kenneth Kupchak, co-a...

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

Mr. Wong concentrates on real estate acquisitions, sales, financing and development, business consultation, and related areas. He has participated in transactions involving the acquisition, financing, development, operation and/or sale of resort hotels, golf courses, commercial office buildings, shopping centers, residential condominium projects, vacant land, and ongoing business concerns. His clients include real estate companies, resort hotel owners, developers, and financial institutions, ...

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.

Greg Kugle concentrates his practice in the area of litigation. He works in the areas of commercial disputes and business litigation, construction, land use and real estate, antitrust, product liability and personal injury, aviation, bankruptcy, admiralty and insurance coverage. He has litigated cases before the Hawaii District and Circuit Courts, the Hawaii Bankruptcy Court and United States District Court, and has handled appeals before the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals, the Hawaii S...

Mr. Higa focuses on commercial litigation, construction disputes, and tax controversies. He has experience handling various types of business, real estate, construction, tort, bankruptcy and tax matters in Hawaii State and Federal Courts, as well as the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Higa’s experience includes favorable settlements and decisions for his clients in mediation and arbitration, on dispositive motions in court, on appeal, and through trial, including a jury verdict in e...

Michael Lam is a director/shareholder and a member of the firm's Executive Committee. He concentrates his practice in the area of litigation, including construction and development law, trade name and trademark infringement, insurance defense, real property issues, products liability and personal injury and general litigation matters. Mr. Lam’s practice also encompasses a range of transactions, including commercial, industrial office and retail development, leasing and sales. Mr. Lam ha...

Madeleine M.V. Young practices in the firm’s Wills, Trusts & Estates and Business & Commercial Law practice groups. Her practice focuses on probate and trust litigation, estate planning, conservatorship and guardianship proceedings, estate and trust administration, and property conveyances. Madeleine previously practiced at various private law firms in California and Hawaii, and is experienced in complex business disputes. Prior to joining Damon Key in 2013, she was an attorney ...

Judith Ann Pavey has over 45 years of experience in litigation and litigation related alternative dispute resolution. She began her litigation career while still in law school where she received a special certification from the Indiana Supreme Court to act as a prosecutor on criminal cases in Marion County juvenile, misdemeanor and felony courts. Upon graduation she was hired by a high-profile litigator in Hawai‘i, where she established her reputation as a skilled and successful lawyer ...