Thomas E. Cook

Kenneth Y. Sugita is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law. Kenneth Y., who practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kenneth Y. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mr. Klevansky’s practice emphasizes commercial law, business litigation, bankruptcy law and reorganization, fraudulent transfers, and creditors’ rights. He counsels corporate and individual clients related to collection and payment of secured and unsecured claims and judgments, foreclosures and other post-judgment remedies through litigation, arbitration and less formal proceedings. Mr. Klevansky graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania, earning a Bachelor's o...

Melissa H. Lambert is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Melissa H., 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 Melissa H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Gerald A. Sumida is a partner in Carlsmith Ball LLP's Honolulu office and Chair of the firm's Corporate & Business Practice Group. He concentrates on business structuring and operations, including corporate, limited liability company, joint venture and partnership matters; business acquisitions; sales and mergers; securities law; start-up company and venture capital financing; administrative and public utilities law; energy law, including energy project development and project finance; an...

Robert Aaron Creps is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Robert Aaron, who practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Robert Aaron is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Megan Lim practices in the firm’s Wills, Trusts & Estates practice group with a focus on estate planning, probate and trust litigation, conservatorship and guardianship proceedings, and trust and estate administration. Megan has once again been named to the 2025 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America list in the practice areas of Trusts & Estates and Litigation-Trusts & Estates. She is a graduate of the University of Washington, School of Law where she worked in the Chi...

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.

Adrian L. Lavarias is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law, Litigation - Construction, Litigation - Real Estate, Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Real Estate Law. Adrian L., who practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Adrian L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John Khil is the Chair of the firm's Tax practice group, and concentrates in tax law with an emphasis on pensions, profit sharing and employee benefits. He is a former attorney-advisor in the Employee Plans and Exempt Organizations Division, Office of Chief Counsel, Internal Revenue Service in Washington, D.C., where he was responsible for providing legal opinions, drafting Treasury regulations, and assisting in the formulation of tax legislation relating to pension and welfare plans. Mr. Khi...