Best Lawyers in Hawaii, United States for Litigation - Construction
William Harstad is a Partner in the firm's Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution practice group. He has experience in numerous arbitrations and litigations, with amounts in dispute ranging from the tens of thousands of dollars to hundreds of millions of dollars. Mr. Harstad has also represented both secured and unsecured creditors in bankruptcy proceedings on both the East Coast and in Hawai`i, including in various adversary proceedings.Mr. Harstad's litigation experience is broad and...
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.
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...
David A. Nakashima is a litigation attorney with more than thirty-five years of experience representing businesses and individuals in complex disputes. Based in Honolulu, Hawaii, he works with clients at Nakashima Ching LLC to address a wide range of commercial, real estate, and construction-related matters. His practice focuses on careful analysis, practical strategy, and effective advocacy tailored to each client’s objectives. David’s recognized practice areas include Bet-the-Co...
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 ...
Anna practices in the firm’s Appeals, Construction Law, Insurance Defense/Surety Law, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, and Real Estate practice groups. As a director of the firm, her main focus is construction law and commercial litigation. She has represented construction organizations, developers, owners, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and design professionals in reviewing and drafting construction contracts, as well as in all forums of dispute resolution, including extens...
David A. Imanaka is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Construction and Litigation - Real Estate. David A., who practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Casey T. Miyashiro is an Associate in the firm’s Insurance Coverage Litigation, Business & Commercial Law, Condominium & Community Association Law, Land Use & Eminent Domain, Real Estate, and Wills, Trusts & Estates practice groups. Casey earned his law degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, William S. Richardson School of Law where he graduated cum laude and served as Managing Editor of the University of Hawaii Law Review. Casey has once again been named to the ...
Kukui Claydon is a Director of the firm. Ms. Claydon is an integral part of the firm’s litigation team, representing clients in complex litigation matters. Ms. Claydon’s practice is well-rounded with impressive depth representing clients in construction, real estate development, large financial institutions and business owners who are often involved in multimillion dollar disputes. Ms. Claydon represents both corporate and public entities, ranging from large and medium-sized Hawai...
John D. Ferry is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Construction and Litigation - Real Estate. John D., 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 John D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Ian Wesley-Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Alternative Dispute Resolution, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Construction and Litigation - Real Estate. Ian, who practices law in Hilo, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ian is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Jai W. Keep-Barnes is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Construction and Litigation - Real Estate. Jai W., who practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jai W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Steven Tom is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Construction and Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants. Steven, 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 Steven is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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.