Best Lawyers in Hawaii, United States for Commercial Litigation
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...
Lex R. Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Lex R., who practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lex R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Dean Robb is a partner in the firm's Honolulu office and is a member of the Corporate & Business Practice Group. He concentrates his practice on corporate business, finance, construction, acquisitions, ocean and maritime activities, administrative law, government procurement, and international transactions. Admitted to bars throughout the Pacific, Mr. Robb also has considerable experience in the U.S. Pacific islands, including Guam, Saipan and Micronesia. He continues an active practice i...
Brett concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial and business litigation, real estate disputes, and intellectual property litigation. Brett is focused on helping clients navigate their way through complex issues and disputes, seeking out creative and efficient solutions to their problems. Through his experience, Brett has represented individuals and Fortune 500 companies in both state and federal court as well as before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) and various other a...
John S. Edmunds is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: General Practice, Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. John S., who practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been recognized since 1983. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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,...
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...
Bert T. Kobayashi, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Antitrust Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation and Construction Law. Bert T., who practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been recognized since 1993. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Bert T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Tom E. Roesser chairs the firm's Bankruptcy & Creditors Rights Practice Group. Mr. Roesser concentrates on advising financial institutions on problem loans, including loan workouts and foreclosures, bankruptcy, and lender liability issues. He served as President of the Bankruptcy Law Section of the Hawai`i State Bar Association in 2005 and is also a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute and the Business Law Section of the American Bar Association. He also concentrates in commercial ...
Bruce A. Nakamura is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Bruce A., who practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Bruce A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Published Works · Articles on Litigation (Co-Authored) Representative Cases · IEL Liquidation Proceedings, Wayne C. Metcalf, Insurance v. Gary L. Vose, et al · HIG Rehabilitation, HUI/UNICO Liquidation and Linda v. Hawaiian Electric Co. · State v. Kealakekua Ranch · Maunawili Lessees v. Trustees of Castle Estate · State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. v. Robinol, 699 F.Supp. 819 (D.Hawai'i 1988) · Tilton v. Rivera · Eder v. County of Kauai and ...
Michelle K. Correia is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Real Estate. Michelle 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 Michelle K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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...
John W. Kelly is a Director of the firm. Mr. Kelly focuses his practice in the area of commercial litigation, with particular concentration in intellectual property rights. Mr. Kelly is admitted to the New York and Hawaii Bar and earned his Juris Doctor from New York Law School. He is also a member of the panel with the First Circuit Court Annexed Arbitration Program. Mr. Kelly has been selected to the Hawaii Super Lawyers®, "Rising Star" list in the practice area of IP Litigation (2020-2...
William Meheula’s practice areas include complex commercial litigation, real estate litigation, legal malpractice, administrative law, divorce cases and Native Hawaiian rights. Mr. Meheula’s real estate litigation practice involves disputes concerning purchase and sale agreements, joint venture agreements, financial agreements, and regarding entitlement, condemnation, environmental, archaeological, and hotel and resort issues. His administrative law practice includes proceedings b...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.