Timothy Partelow

A. Bernard “Bernie” Bays is a Director of the firm. Mr. Bays has over 50 years of experience and has successfully represented clients in numerous landmark Hawaii litigation cases and over 150 trials or arbitrations. 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...

Ronald I. Heller has been practicing law in Honolulu for over 30 years, in the areas of tax litigation, business/commercial litigation, taxation and business law. He received both JD and MBA degrees from the University of Michigan, and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant as well as an attorney. Mr. Heller is a Fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel, and a past Chair of the Tax Section of the Hawaii State Bar Association. He has litigated tax cases at the county, state, and federa...

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...

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, ...

Clifford K. Higa is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Financial Services Regulation Law. Clifford K., 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 Clifford K. 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...

Craig G. Nakamura is the Administrative Partner in the firm's Maui Office and is a member of the Litigation practice group. He concentrates his practice in the areas of real estate and general corporate law. Mr. Nakamura has extensive experience in commercial real estate, civil litigation, construction disputes, foreclosures, mediation and arbitration. He was recently selected by attorney peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2018 in the fields of Litigation - Real Estate and Rea...

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 ...

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...

Attorney Jon S. Jacobs is the founding partner of Law Office of Jon S. Jacobs , LLLC, and has practiced law in Honolulu, Hawaii for more than 20 years. He represents plaintiffs in Personal Injury Litigation and Product Liability Litigation, focusing on helping injured individuals and families pursue fair compensation under Hawaii law. Mr. Jacobs is known for providing attentive, client-centered representation and for taking the time to understand each client’s circumstances and legal go...