The BIGGEST Law Firms In Hawaii You Must Know! [Ultimate List]

Today’s topic: biggest law firms in Hawaii

‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍Hawaii’s legal market is different from any other legal market in the U.S. Despite the population of the state being small, its legal ecosystem has been significantly influenced by factors such as:

• Real estate development.
• Tourism.
• International business.
• Native Hawaiian land issues.
• Environmental regulation.
• Government relations.

Therefore, on the one hand, these have led to Hawaii’s biggest law firms being very comprehensive, offering all kinds of services, and having a solid base locally. And, on the other hand, these law firms also have strong institutional relationships.

Knowing the biggest and the most powerful law firms in Hawaii means a lot to different kinds of people. Companies and private individuals understand which legal firms are involved in risky litigations and complicated transactions.

Lawyers and law students get to know more about career choices and the market condition. Reporters, researchers, and house counsel become aware of the firms that most frequently influence Hawaii’s legal and regulatory landscape. ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌

Biggest Law Firms In Hawaii: Top Law Firms By Size And Influence

Here are some of the biggest law firms in Hawaii that you need to know about:

1. Cades Schutte LLP

• Headcount: Approximately 103 attorneys
• Established: 1922
• Primary Location: Honolulu

Firstly, Cades​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Schutte LLP is often referred to as the biggest and most powerful law firm in Hawaii. The firm has been a major player in a variety of the state’s landmark legal, commercial, and development issues during its more than 100 years of uninterrupted operation.

Being a full-service firm, Cades Schutte provides advice to clients in the areas of:

• Real estate.
• Litigation.
• Corporate transactions.
• Construction law.
• Bankruptcy.
• Labor and employment.
• Tax.
• Environmental law.

In particular, the firm is very highly regarded for representing leading developers, financial institutions, utilities, and public entities.

Through the litigation practice, the firm regularly engages with complex commercial disputes, appellate matters, and issues involving the government. Whereas, its real estate and corporate teams are extensively involved in the land use and development regulations in Hawaii.

Due to Cades Schutte’s large size, deep-rooted experience, and ever high-ranking position, it is as close to a “megafirm” as one can get in ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌Hawaii.

2. Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel LLP

• Headcount: Approximately 99 attorneys
• Established: 1900
• Primary Location: Honolulu

Secondly, Goodsill​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Anderson Quinn & Stifel LLP is one of the most influential and biggest law firms in Hawaii, being ranked as a historical law firm going back to the era of the 19th century. The company made a name for itself in corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, securities regulation, and real estate finance.

In particular, the firm is considered the best for its tax planning, tax controversy, and business litigation of high complexity. A large number of local and multinational companies turn to Goodsill for their complicated structuring, compliance, and transactional needs involving Hawaii-based assets.

Moreover, the company has a solid labor and employment practice and is always ready to provide advice to clients who are going through the Hawaii regulatory environment that is difficult to understand.

Goodsill has been able to combine corporate sophistication with deep tax expertise, which has resulted in the firm being consistently ranked among the best law firms in the ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌country.

3. Alston Hunt Floyd & Ing (Dentons)

• Headcount: Approximately 59 attorneys
• Established: 1973
• Primary Location: Honolulu

The​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ firm, which internationally made the news in 2018 when it combined with Dentons, the largest law firm in the world by the number of employees, was previously known as Alston Hunt Floyd & Ing. 

As a result of this merger, the company considerably broadened its worldwide outreach and maintained its Hawaii-focused practice.

The firm is recognized for litigation, government relations, public policy, regulatory compliance, and complex commercial disputes of the highest standard. The attorneys are a regular feature in the courts of Hawaii, administrative agencies, and legislative bodies.

By way of Dentons, clients are provided with a global legal platform which is a great advantage for international companies, investors, and governments having interests in Hawaii.

Besides, the Dentons connection is a great advantage for this company as it combines the local expertise with the vast global legal ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌resources.

4. Carlsmith Ball LLP

• Headcount: Approximately 51 attorneys
• Established: 1857
• Primary Location: Honolulu

Carlsmith​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Ball LLP is among the top oldest law companies that have been operating without interruption in the Western Region of the United States.

With a history spanning more than 165 years, the firm has played a significant role in Hawaii’s legal and business developments, which are the basis of the state. 

Where the firm shines brightest is in corporate law, real estate, land use, and litigation. Carlsmith Ball often gets instructions in cases involving extensive landholdings, trusts, estate planning, and commercial disputes.

The company is singled out as being most knowledgeable of the Hawaiian land tenure system of the past and unraveling complicated property issues.

Long life, institutional trustworthiness, and incomparable historical knowledge of Hawaii ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌law are some of the things that makes it stand out!

5. Ashford & Wriston LLP

• Headcount: Approximately 32 attorneys
• Established: 1953
• Primary Location: Honolulu

Finally, Ashford​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ & Wriston LLP may not be as big as the above-listed companies, however, it still has a considerable impact in the areas of law that it concentrates on. The company is mainly a real estate, corporate law, estate planning, and trust administration practice. 

Most frequently, the firm is the attorney of record for privately held companies, family offices, real estate developers, as well as affluent individuals.

As a result, this provides them with the legal aid that is very few and far between in terms of both quality and quantity, and which is supported by a great number of years of professional experience.

A great deal of attention has been paid to client service and acquiring extensive knowledge of private wealth and real estate issues, which has resulted in the firm being known for these ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌qualities.

Other Notable Law Firms In Hawaii

While the firms above dominate by size, several other Hawaii law firms are highly respected and influential within specific practice areas:

• Kobayashi Sugita & Goda LLP: Established in 1971, this full-service firm is known for litigation, labor law, real estate, and insurance defense work.
• Belles Graham Proudfoot Wilson & Chun LLP: Highly regarded for commercial litigation, employment law, and appellate practice.
• Watanabe Ing Kawashima & Komeiji LLP: A strong presence in real estate development, construction law, and business transactions.
• Matsuoka & Kudo: Focuses primarily on estate planning, probate, and trust administration.
• Binegar Parsons & Feller: Known for its commercial litigation and dispute resolution capabilities.

These firms may be smaller in size, but they often outperform larger competitors in niche or specialized areas.

Factors Defining the Largest Law Firms in Hawaii

In a market like Hawaii, “largest” does not mean the same thing as it does in New York or California. Several factors define firm size and influence:

1. Attorney Headcount

Firstly, the headcount remains the most visible indicator of size, reflecting a firm’s ability to handle large or multiple matters simultaneously.

2. Practice Area Breadth

Secondly, full-service firms capable of handling litigation, transactions, regulatory work, and real estate tend to dominate the market.

3. Client Base

The largest firms typically represent a mix of corporations, financial institutions, developers, government entities, and nonprofits.

4. Reputation and Recognition

Finally, rankings from organizations such as Chambers and Partners, long-standing client relationships, and landmark cases all contribute to perceived size and influence.

Emerging Trends in Hawaii’s Legal Market

Here are some of the emerging trends when it comes to Hawaii’s legal market and industry. Take a look at them:

1. Globalization

Firstly, the​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ presence of multinational companies, with Dentons being the most notable, is an indication of the enhanced global interaction of the legal market in Hawaii.

2. Specialization

Boutique law firms specializing in areas such as employment law, environmental regulation, Native Hawaiian rights, and estate planning are becoming more popular.

3. Technology Integration

Law firms in Hawaii are progressively implementing legal technology, e-discovery tools, and remote collaboration platforms for their work to be more efficient.

4. Regulatory Evolution

Finally, the changes in environmental law, housing regulation, and federal compliance are the main factors that are causing fluctuations in the demand for legal services in different parts of the ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌state.

Get Hold Of The Biggest Law Firm In Hawaii!

In conclusion, the​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ biggest law firms in Hawaii are instrumental in the evolution of the state’s legal, economic, and regulatory framework. These law firms are the lifeline of Hawaii’s legal ecosystem, ranging from long-established ones like Carlsmith Ball to modern, internationally linked firms like Dentons. 

These law firms will probably continue to be at the forefront of the state’s challenges as it deals with issues of globalization, the environment, and economic development by adjusting their offerings to fit the changing times while still maintaining the local expertise that is characteristic of the legal profession in Hawaii.

Knowing these law firms is a prerequisite for anyone wanting to secure legal representation, gain market insight, or find a professional ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌opportunity.

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