Lawrence S. Okinaga

Lawrence Okinaga is a partner in the firm's Honolulu office and a member of its Transactional practice group. He concentrates his practice in the areas of corporate, financial institutions, real estate, and administrative law. Mr. Okinaga has developed this deep experience in representing corporations, partnerships and individuals, for more than 38 years. He regularly advises clients on business matters and supervises the firm's litigators in clients' disputes. He is listed in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2018 for Corporate/Commercial: Finance. He was named Lawyer of the Year—Financial Services Regulation Law—Hawai`i by The Best Lawyers in America 2015, and is also listed for Banking and Finance Law and for Litigation - Banking & Finance; he has been listed in the publication since 2005.

Prior Employment

• Law Clerk, Hon. Martin Pence, Chief Judge, U.S. District Court, Honolulu, Hawai`i
• Congressional Assistant, Hon. Spark M. Matsunaga, U.S. House of Representatives
• Captain, U.S. Air Force Reserve

Community Distinctions

• President's Award, Board of Advisors of the Alumni Admission Program of Georgetown University, 2013
• Ho'oulu Leadership Award, Hawai`i Institute for Public Affairs, 2013
• Burnham Greeley Award, ABA Coalition for Justice, 2011
• Honolulu Forever Young Award, City and County of Honolulu, 2009
• The John Carroll Award, Georgetown University, 2007
• Justice Award, American Judicature Society, 2003
• Paul R. Dean Award, Georgetown Law Center, 1995
• Real Dean Award (given to the University's Outstanding Senior), University of Hawai`i

Professional Distinctions

• Named Best Lawyers 2018 "Lawyer of the Year" - Banking and Finance Law and is also listed as Best Lawyers in America 2018 - Administrative/Regulatory Law; Banking and Finance Law; Consumer Law; Financial Services Regulation Law; Litigation - Banking and Finance; he has been listed in the publication since 2005.
• Listed in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2017 for Corporate/Commercial: Finance
• He was named Lawyer of the Year—Financial Services Regulation Law—Hawai`i by The Best Lawyers in America 2015, and is also listed for Banking and Finance Law and for Litigation - Banking & Finance; he has been listed in the publication since 2005.
• Selected by attorney peers for inclusion in Hawai`i Super Lawyers 2015 for Banking, Business/Corporate, and Real Estate
• Fellow, American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers, 2007 - Present
• Frank Simpson III Award, American Bar Association Banking Law Committee, 2006
• Peer-review ranked AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbellfor more than 30 years

• American Judicature Society, Chicago, Illinois; President, 1997 - 1999;Hawai`i Chapter, Founder and Director, 1998 - Present
• Federal Judicial Selection Commission Working Group, Chair, 2005
• Hawai`i Federal Judicial Selection Commission; Chair, 2005 - 2013
• Commission on Judicial Conduct, State of Hawaii, Chairman, 1991 - 1994, Commissioner, 1987 - 1994
• Judicial Selection Commission, State of Hawaii, 1979 - 1987, Vice Chairman, 1983 - 1985, Chairman, 1985 - 1987
• American Bar Association, Member, House of Delegates, 1991 - 1993
• American Bar Association, Member, Standing Committee on Judicial Selection, Compensation & Tenure, 1993 - 1996
• American Bar Association, Member, Standing Committee on Judicial Independence, 1999 - 2002
• American Bar Association, Member, Business Law Section, 1975 - Present; Member, Real Property, Trust & Estate Law Section; Member, Public Utility, Communications & Transportation Law Section
• Hawai`i State Bar Association, Secretary & Member, Board of Directors, 1981
• National Advisory Council, U.S. Small Business Administration, 1994 - 2000
• White House Conference on Small Business, 1995
• Real Property Tax Advisory Committee, Honolulu City Council, 1991 - 1994
• Consumer Advisory Council to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in Washington, D.C., 1984 - 1986; Vice Chairman, 1986; Member, Steering Committee
• Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Advisory Council, 1995 - 2002
• Federal Savings and Loan Advisory Council to the Federal Home Loan Bank Board in Washington, D.C., Appointed Member, 1988 - 1989
• Moiliili Community Center, Trustee, 1992 - Present; Past President; Member, Board of Directors
• Office of Hawaiian Affairs, State of Hawai`i, Investment Advisory Committee, Member, 2008 - Present
• Georgetown University Law Center, Board of Visitors, 1993 - Present
• Georgetown Law Alumni Board, 1986 - 1991
• Carole Kai Charities, Inc., Great Aloha Run, Chairman, Board of Directors, 2001 - Present
• Public Schools of Hawai`i Foundation, Board of Trustees, 2004 - 2011
• Japan-America Society of Hawai`i, Board of Trustees, 2004 - Present
• Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Member, Board of Directors; Chairman, Bylaws Committee & Legal Counsel, 1982 - 2006
• Kuakini Health System, Trustee, 1983 - 1988, 1989 - 1992, 1993 - 1996
• Pacific Rim Foundation, Board of Directors, 1987 - 1993
• Better Business Bureau of Hawai`i, Board of Directors, 1988 - 1990
• St. Louis Education Foundation, Board of Directors, 1988 - 1993
• Governor's Citizens Advisory Committee on Coastal Zone Management
• Bicentennial Hawai`i Corporation, 1974 - 1977, Secretary