Trever Asam

Ms. Piper’s practice emphasizes business litigation, business bankruptcy law, creditor’s rights, and collections. She counsels a variety of corporate and individual clients on matters related to debt collection, foreclosures, lien rights, debt restructuring, and other financial matters. She is experienced in representing clients in litigation, arbitration and out-of-court settlements.

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...

Mr. Engle's practice focuses in the areas of real estate litigation, construction contracts and disputes, and complex business litigation. Examples of Mr. Engle's work include: Constitutional Law. Represented a national REIT in a highly publicized constitutional challenge of legislation affecting the methods for calculating lease rent under long-term industrial ground leases. Successfully obtained ruling declaring statute unconstitutional under the contracts and equal protection clauses of th...

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 ...

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.

Elijah is a commercial litigator. He counsels clients in litigation and non-litigation contexts regarding Internet and information technology law, environmental regulation, health care, and First Amendment rights. He chairs the Digital Media, Internet and Information Technology Law practice group and the Health Care practice group. As a business litigator, Elijah represents clients ranging from publicly traded companies to sole proprietors in disputes concerning a variety of subject matters i...

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

Alison M. Davidson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law. Alison M., 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 Alison M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mr. Schmitt served as a surface line officer after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy with a degree in Ocean Engineering. After five years of service as a gunnery/missile officer, ASW officer and Admiral's Aide, he went to law school. Following graduation in 1984, Mr. Schmitt has practiced law with a base in Honolulu concentrating on commercial and construction litigation, admiralty and marine matters. In addition, he simultaneous served over 20 years as a Naval Reseve JAG officer retirin...

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.