Top 8 Law Firms In Honolulu
By Sheila Morgan | Published: 2025-04-21 | Category: Law Firms
About Law Firms In Honolulu
Law firms provide legal advice and representation to individuals and businesses across various legal matters, including litigation, corporate law, real estate, and personal injury.
How We Evaluated
Providers were evaluated based on public reviews, stated or inferred areas of practice, location, and general reputation within the Honolulu legal community.
Rating Criteria
- → Client Satisfaction
- → Reputation
- → Scope of Services
- → Accessibility
The Best Law Firms In Honolulu
Davis Levin Livingston
A well-known firm focusing on plaintiff's litigation, particularly in personal injury, medical malpractice, and civil rights cases.
Target Audience
Individuals (Plaintiffs)
Service Offerings
Personal Injury
Representing individuals injured due to negligence.
Medical Malpractice
Cases involving negligence by healthcare providers.
Civil Rights Litigation
Representing individuals whose civil rights have been violated.
Class Actions
Handling lawsuits on behalf of large groups.
Scorecard (Overall: 4.1 / 5.0)
Pricing Model
Contingency Fee
Typically works on a contingency basis for plaintiff cases (fee is a percentage of recovery).
Pros
- + Strong reputation in plaintiff's litigation.
- + Handles significant personal injury and civil rights cases.
- + Often works on a contingency fee basis, reducing upfront costs for clients.
Cons
- - Practice areas are focused primarily on plaintiff-side litigation.
- - Limited public review data to broadly assess client satisfaction.
Verdict
"A leading firm for individuals seeking representation in personal injury, medical malpractice, or civil rights litigation on a contingency basis."
Cades Schutte LLP
A large, full-service law firm providing legal counsel across many practice areas, including estate planning, litigation, and corporate law.
Target Audience
Businesses, Individuals, Non-profits
Service Offerings
Estate Planning
Trusts, wills, probate, and wealth management services.
Litigation
Representation in various civil disputes.
Corporate Law
Business formation, transactions, and governance.
Real Estate Law
Handling property transactions and disputes.
Scorecard (Overall: 4.1 / 5.0)
Pricing Model
Hourly Rate
Likely utilizes hourly billing across its diverse practice areas.
Pros
- + One of Hawaii's largest and oldest firms.
- + Comprehensive range of legal services.
- + Known expertise in areas like estate planning (though reviews are mixed).
Cons
- - Below-average client satisfaction rating based on public reviews.
- - Some negative reviews cite issues with empathy and handling of cases.
- - Large firm structure may feel impersonal to some.
Verdict
"A major player in Hawaii's legal market with extensive services, but potential clients should note the mixed public feedback regarding client experience."
Carlsmith Ball LLP
A major law firm with deep roots in Hawaii, offering a wide array of legal services across numerous industries.
Target Audience
Businesses, Government Entities, Individuals
Service Offerings
Litigation
Broad civil litigation practice.
Corporate & Finance
Business transactions, financing, and corporate governance.
Real Estate & Development
Legal support for property transactions and land use.
Labor & Employment
Counsel and representation on employment law issues.
Scorecard (Overall: 4.2 / 5.0)
Pricing Model
Hourly Rate
Primarily uses hourly billing, standard for large, diverse practices.
Pros
- + Long-established presence and strong reputation in Hawaii.
- + Very broad range of practice areas.
- + Significant resources and attorney depth.
Cons
- - Client satisfaction scores based on public reviews are moderate.
- - Large firm structure might not suit all clients.
Verdict
"A comprehensive, established firm capable of handling diverse and complex legal needs, particularly for corporate clients."
Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher
A prominent Honolulu law firm recognized for expertise in business litigation, real estate transactions, and corporate law.
Target Audience
Businesses, Developers, High Net Worth Individuals
Service Offerings
Business Litigation
Representation in complex commercial disputes.
Real Estate Law
Handling transactions, development, and disputes for major projects.
Corporate Law
Advising businesses on formation, operations, and transactions.
Scorecard (Overall: 4.3 / 5.0)
Pricing Model
Hourly Rate
Likely employs hourly billing for its specialized services.
Pros
- + Strong reputation in business and real estate sectors.
- + Experienced attorneys for complex transactions and litigation.
- + Located centrally in downtown Honolulu.
Cons
- - May have higher rates due to specialization and reputation.
- - Limited publicly available client review data.
Verdict
"A leading choice for sophisticated business and real estate legal matters requiring experienced counsel."
Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel A Limited Liability Law Partnership LLP
One of Hawaii's largest and oldest law firms, providing a comprehensive range of legal services to businesses and individuals.
Target Audience
Businesses, Individuals, Institutions
Service Offerings
Corporate Law
Legal services for businesses including formation, governance, M&A.
Litigation
Representation in various civil disputes.
Real Estate & Land Use
Comprehensive services for property matters.
Estate Planning
Trusts, wills, and probate services.
Scorecard (Overall: 4.4 / 5.0)
Pricing Model
Hourly Rate
Likely utilizes hourly billing, common for full-service firms.
Pros
- + Long-standing reputation and history in Hawaii.
- + Extensive range of practice areas.
- + Large team capable of handling complex matters.
Cons
- - Mixed online reviews, including some negative experiences.
- - As a large firm, may feel less personal for some clients.
Verdict
"A well-established, full-service firm suitable for complex business and individual legal needs, though client experiences appear somewhat varied."
#3
Location: Building 5, 4th Floor, 500 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96813, United States Get Directions
McCorriston Miller Mukai MacKinnon LLP
A well-regarded law firm offering a range of legal services, often handling complex litigation and business matters.
Target Audience
Businesses, Individuals
Service Offerings
Complex Litigation
Handling intricate lawsuits for businesses and individuals.
Business Law
Corporate advising, transactions, and disputes.
Real Estate Law
Services related to property law and transactions.
Scorecard (Overall: 4.5 / 5.0)
Pricing Model
Hourly Rate
Likely bills primarily on an hourly basis, typical for corporate and litigation work.
Pros
- + Perfect, though limited, client review score.
- + Reputation for handling complex legal challenges.
- + Broad scope of services suitable for businesses.
Cons
- - Very few online reviews available to gauge widespread client satisfaction.
- - Potentially higher cost structure typical of established litigation firms.
Verdict
"A strong firm, particularly for businesses needing representation in complex litigation, though more client feedback would be beneficial."
Law Office of Brian S. Kim
Specializes primarily in criminal defense, including traffic violations and DUI cases, with many clients reporting successful outcomes.
Target Audience
Individuals
Service Offerings
Criminal Defense
Representation for individuals facing criminal charges.
Traffic Violations
Legal assistance for speeding tickets, DUIs, and other traffic-related offenses.
ADLRO Hearings
Representation in Administrative Driver's License Revocation Office hearings.
Scorecard (Overall: 4.3 / 5.0)
Pricing Model
Varies
Fees likely depend on the specific charges and case complexity; may offer flat fees for some matters.
Pros
- + Very high client satisfaction rating.
- + Proven success in reducing charges or achieving favorable outcomes for clients.
- + Specializes in criminal and traffic defense.
Cons
- - Some reviews mention communication issues.
- - One severe negative review alleges dishonesty.
- - Focused practice area may not suit broader legal needs.
Verdict
"A top contender for criminal and traffic defense matters, boasting high client satisfaction despite some communication critiques."
View Top Ranked Provider
Watch a short ad to unlock the details for the #1 ranked provider.
Natori Law Office LLLC
Highly rated firm praised for professionalism, knowledge, and responsiveness, particularly in real estate matters.
Target Audience
Individuals, Businesses
Service Offerings
Real Estate Law
Legal services related to property transactions, disputes, and development.
Business Law
General counsel and representation for business-related legal issues.
Civil Litigation
Representation in non-criminal lawsuits.
Scorecard (Overall: 4.4 / 5.0)
Pricing Model
Varies
Pricing likely varies based on case complexity and type (hourly, flat fee, etc.).
Pros
- + Exceptional client reviews highlighting responsiveness and expertise.
- + Strong focus noted in real estate law.
- + Professional and knowledgeable team mentioned frequently.
Cons
- - Smaller firm size may limit the breadth of niche specializations compared to larger firms.
Verdict
"Excellent choice for individuals and businesses needing responsive and knowledgeable legal counsel, particularly in real estate."
Final Recommendation
Honolulu offers a diverse range of law firms, from large, full-service providers like Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel and Cades Schutte, to specialized practices like the Law Office of Brian S. Kim (Criminal Defense) and Natori Law Office (Real Estate). Client satisfaction varies, with Natori Law Office and Brian S. Kim's office showing strong positive feedback, while larger firms sometimes receive mixed reviews. Firms like McCorriston Miller and Starn O'Toole are highly regarded for complex business matters.