- Understanding Hawaii's legal landscape
- Top 9 firms in Hawaii
- What to consider when choosing a firm in Hawaii
Ramp processes billions of dollars in business expenses across thousands of companies every month. Our unique position in the payments ecosystem provides visibility into actual spending patterns, including legal services expenditures across diverse industries and business sizes.
In Hawaii's isolated island economy, where $110.57 billion in real GDP depends heavily on tourism and international trade, selecting the right legal partner requires understanding both local market dynamics and cross-Pacific business complexities. Our data-driven approach analyzes actual business engagement patterns, helping companies identify law firms with proven expertise in Hawaii's unique regulatory environment and Asia-Pacific connections.
Understanding Hawaii's legal landscape
Hawaii's legal market operates within a distinctive economic and geographic context, characterized by isolation from mainland markets and heavy reliance on tourism-driven industries. The state's legal sector serves 4,944 active attorneys who primarily cater to a business ecosystem of 32,636 businesses, with 51.9% being micro-enterprises (0-4 employees). Major industries driving legal demand include real estate development, tourism infrastructure, military contracts, and cross-Pacific trade facilitation, with Honolulu serving as the primary legal hub. Unique factors include Hawaii's role as an Asia-Pacific gateway requiring specialized international business expertise and stringent environmental regulations impacting land use practices.
Top 9 firms in Hawaii
Our analysis identifies Hawaii's leading law firms based on practice depth, client impact, and market presence. Torkildson Katz, Goodsill, and Ashford & Wriston emerge as the state's most established players, each with over 50 years of continuous operation and comprehensive service offerings spanning real estate, litigation, and corporate transactions. These firms anchor Hawaii's legal ecosystem while newer boutiques provide specialized expertise in emerging market sectors.
David Austin Law
David Austin Law, founded in 2015, operates from its Honolulu headquarters while serving clients across Hawaii, the U.S. mainland, and Asia. The firm maintains a specialized focus on commercial real estate transactions, with David Austin leveraging dual expertise as both attorney and active investor in over $75 million of commercial acquisitions. The firm primarily serves commercial real estate investors, family offices, and private equity firms, with notable representation of Hong Kong-based family offices managing Pacific Rim portfolios.
Key practice areas
- Commercial real estate transactions
- Lease optimization strategies
- Transactional risk assessment
- Complex real estate deal closings
Best for
Commercial real estate investors and family offices seeking pragmatic, investor-aligned counsel from an attorney with direct acquisition experience. Particularly suited for cross-border transactions involving Asia-Pacific capital seeking Hawaii investments.
Notable facts
David Austin brings unique perspective as both legal counsel and active investor with over $75 million in personal commercial acquisitions. His background includes experience at prominent Honolulu real estate firms and counsel roles for national title companies, providing comprehensive transaction insights.
Thorson Law
Thorson Law operates within Hawaii's legal market, though detailed information about the firm's founding year, attorney count, and practice specialties could not be verified through available sources. The firm's website was inaccessible during research, limiting profile completeness. Based on standard industry patterns, Hawaii law firms typically maintain 1-2 offices with practice concentrations reflecting local economic drivers like real estate, tourism, and cross-border commerce.
Key practice areas
- Information not available through research
- Likely includes real estate and business law based on market patterns
Best for
Specific client recommendations cannot be made without verified practice area information. Direct firm engagement would be necessary to assess service capabilities and client fit.
Notable facts
Limited public information available during research period. The firm maintains presence in Hawaii's legal community though specific distinguishing factors require direct verification.
Settle Meyer Law
Settle Meyer Law brings a business-operations perspective to legal services, founded by attorneys with direct experience in real estate development and family business management. The Honolulu-based firm serves business owners, developers, and creative professionals across Hawaii. The firm emphasizes solution-oriented representation, leveraging the founders' operational backgrounds to anticipate commercial challenges in transactions.
Key practice areas
- Real estate transactions
- Business formation and structuring
- Commercial finance
- Intellectual property protection
Best for
Business owners and developers seeking attorneys who understand operational realities beyond legal theory. Ideal for hospitality ventures, retail development projects, and creative enterprises requiring integrated business and legal strategy.
Notable facts
Founders bring direct real estate development and family business management experience, providing practical commercial insights. The firm prioritizes deal structuring that balances risk mitigation with business outcomes, avoiding unnecessary litigation through proactive contract design.
Durrett Lang Morse
Durrett Lang Morse (DLM) has been a fixture in Hawaii's legal landscape since its 1974 founding, operating as a full-service business law firm from its Honolulu base. The firm leverages deep community integration, with attorneys actively participating in Hawaii's business networks for over four decades. DLM represents diverse clients from local startups to multinational corporations entering the Hawaiian market, with particular strength in hospitality sector contracts and regulatory compliance.
Key practice areas
- Commercial litigation
- Corporate transactions
- Real estate development law
- Employment compliance
Best for
Local startups and multinational corporations needing attorneys who understand Hawaii's unique business culture. Particularly valuable for hospitality sector companies requiring regulatory compliance and contract expertise tailored to island market dynamics.
Notable facts
Over 45 years of continuous operation with deep Hawaii business network integration. Recognized for innovative problem-solving approaches that combine zealous advocacy with practical commercial solutions adapted to local business culture.
Torkildson Katz
Torkildson Katz, established in 1947, ranks among Hawaii's premier full-service firms with a Honolulu headquarters and international client reach. The firm employs attorneys consistently recognized in Best Lawyers in America® and Hawaii Super Lawyers® listings. Torkildson serves major employers across tourism, healthcare, and financial services industries, with notable representation of Asia-Pacific corporations expanding into U.S. markets.
Key practice areas
- Labor and employment law (management side)
- Business litigation
- Healthcare compliance
- Tax controversy
- Real estate transactions
Best for
Major employers and Asia-Pacific corporations requiring sophisticated employment law counsel and cross-border expertise. Ideal for companies in tourism, healthcare, and financial services sectors needing Tier 1-ranked legal representation.
Notable facts
Maintains Tier 1 rankings in U.S. News for employment law management, tax litigation, and healthcare law. Attorneys actively contribute to judicial education initiatives and community nonprofit boards, demonstrating deep local engagement spanning over 75 years.
Legal Hawaii
Legal Hawaii employs a balanced litigation philosophy that prioritizes strategic resolutions while maintaining trial readiness. The firm combines emerging legal talent with experienced partners to deliver comprehensive representation. Clients range from local entrepreneurs to national corporations with Hawaiian operations, particularly in sectors facing regulatory challenges.
Key practice areas
- Complex business disputes
- Commercial contract enforcement
- Real estate litigation
- Employment law matters
Best for
Businesses seeking cost-efficient litigation representation that leverages technology and alternative dispute resolution methods. Well-suited for companies involved in multi-jurisdictional disputes or precedent-setting commercial litigation within Hawaii's unique legal framework.
Notable facts
Distinguished by innovative case strategies combining technology with traditional advocacy. The firm's team approach ensures efficient service delivery while handling notable multi-jurisdictional business disputes and precedent-setting commercial litigation.
Goodsill
Goodsill, operating since 1870, stands as one of Hawaii's oldest continuously practicing law firms with a Honolulu headquarters and Pacific Rim clientele. The firm maintains diverse practice groups serving both domestic and international banks, retail developers like Costco and Dave & Busters, and major real estate projects including Pacific Guardian Tower and Tumon Sands Plaza.
Key practice areas
- Banking and financial services
- Commercial real estate development
- Creditor rights
- Trust litigation
- International banking and cross-border transactions
Best for
Financial institutions and major retail developers requiring deep Hawaii market knowledge combined with international transaction capabilities. Particularly valuable for Asia-Pacific banking clients needing cross-border regulatory compliance expertise.
Notable facts
Over 150 years of continuous operation representing marquee clients including Costco and major real estate developments. Attorneys actively participate in the International Council of Shopping Centers and Building Owners and Managers Association, providing industry-specific insights through multicultural team structure.
Ashford & Wriston
Ashford & Wriston, with over 65 years of continuous operation, maintains its Honolulu headquarters in the First Hawaiian Center. Originally specializing in real property law, the firm has expanded to offer comprehensive services including eminent domain proceedings, environmental compliance, and healthcare regulatory matters. The firm represents developers, financial institutions, and healthcare organizations navigating Hawaii's complex land use regulations.
Key practice areas
- Real property law
- Eminent domain proceedings
- Environmental compliance
- Government relations
- Healthcare regulatory matters
- Native Hawaiian land rights
Best for
Developers and financial institutions dealing with Hawaii's complex land use regulations, particularly those involving Native Hawaiian rights or environmental sensitivities. Also suited for kamaʻāina families requiring intergenerational wealth transfer planning.
Notable facts
Founded circa 1959 with specialized expertise in shoreline access disputes and conservation easements critical to island ecosystems. The firm's attorney development program emphasizes mentoring the next generation of Hawaii legal practitioners.
Wright & Kirschbraun
Wright & Kirschbraun has served Maui's legal needs for over 30 years, operating from its Wailuku headquarters with statewide litigation capabilities. Founding partner Deborah Wright brings federal and state court experience since 1977, with admissions before the U.S. Supreme Court and Ninth Circuit. The firm frequently acts as local counsel for mainland firms in Hawaii cases.
Key practice areas
- Complex business disputes
- Trust and estate conflicts
- Real estate litigation
- Construction defect cases
- Water rights litigation
- Resort operational compliance
Best for
Mainland firms needing experienced local counsel for Hawaii litigation, particularly involving resort development disputes and condominium association governance. Ideal for clients requiring Maui-specific expertise in water rights and resort compliance matters.
Notable facts
Founding partner Deborah Wright holds admissions before the U.S. Supreme Court and Ninth Circuit with practice experience since 1977. Notable community contributions include service on the Maui County Charter Commission and Habitat for Humanity boards.
What to consider when choosing a firm in Hawaii
Selecting legal counsel in Hawaii requires evaluating factors unique to the island state's business environment. Consider the firm's experience with Hawaii's dual regulatory framework, where state laws often intersect with federal oversight in areas like environmental protection and Native Hawaiian rights. Firms with established relationships within Hawaii's tight-knit business community can navigate local customs and informal networks that often influence deal outcomes.
Assess whether your legal needs require Asia-Pacific expertise, as Hawaii serves as a critical gateway for cross-border transactions. Firms with multilingual capabilities and understanding of both U.S. and Asian business practices provide distinct advantages for international ventures. For real estate matters, prioritize firms familiar with Hawaii's complex land use laws, including shoreline setbacks, conservation district regulations, and cultural impact assessments.
Take immediate action by scheduling consultations with 2-3 firms that match your industry focus and geographic needs. Prepare specific questions about their experience with similar transactions or disputes in your sector. Request references from clients with comparable business profiles, particularly those who've navigated Hawaii's unique regulatory challenges. Consider engaging firms as local counsel even if maintaining primary representation elsewhere, as Hawaii's procedural requirements often benefit from on-ground expertise.
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