Best Lawyers in Hawaii, United States for Litigation - Construction
Mr. Higa focuses on commercial litigation, construction disputes, and tax controversies. He has experience handling various types of business, real estate, construction, tort, bankruptcy and tax matters in Hawaii State and Federal Courts, as well as the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Higa’s experience includes favorable settlements and decisions for his clients in mediation and arbitration, on dispositive motions in court, on appeal, and through trial, including a jury verdict in e...
Terence O’Toole is a Director of the Starn O’Toole Marcus & Fisher law firm. He manages the firm’s litigation department and has over 50 years of experience in the area of commercial and complex litigation. Mr. O'Toole has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America ® , as a "Lawyer of the Year" in Honolulu in the practice areas of Bet-The-Company (2011, 2019, 2023) , Banking & Finance Litigation (2012, 2015, 2024) , Appellate Practice (2014, 2018, 2022, 2024)...
Andrew J. Lautenbach is a Director at Starn O’Toole Marcus and Fisher who has earned a reputation for taking an aggressive yet practical approach when representing clients in complex matters. Mr. Lautenbach has extensive experience in complex litigation matters, including numerous jury trials, bench trials, and high stakes arbitrations. Mr. Lautenbach recently served as a lawyer representative to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on behalf of the United States District Court for the Di...
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 P. Manaut is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Construction, Litigation - Environmental, Litigation - Insurance, Litigation - Land Use and Zoning, Litigation - Real Estate and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. John P., who practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John P. is held by othe...
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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 ...
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.
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.