Katherine Garson

Administrative / Regulatory Law

3.0 (1 reviews)

Hilo, Hawaii

33+ years experience

Carlsmith Ball LLP

Updated: Jan 04, 2026

Contact Information

808-935-6644

https://www.carlsmith.com/pages/katherine-a-garson

121 Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720

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Bio

Katherine Garson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative / Regulatory Law, Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law.Katherine, who practices law in Hilo, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Katherine is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. Katherine Garson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative / Regulatory Law, Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law.Katherine, who practices law in Hilo, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Katherine is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. Katherine Garson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative / Regulatory Law, Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Katherine, who practices law in Hilo, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Katherine is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Local Legal Snapshot

Jurisdiction

Hawaii

State Capital

Honolulu

Highest Court

Hawaii Supreme Court

Bar Association

Hawaii State Bar Association

Typical Consultation

$150-$300

Typical Hourly Range

$250-$450/hr

Fee Model Notes

Hourly or flat-fee billing is common.

Estimates vary by market, complexity, urgency, and attorney experience.

Practice Areas

Administrative / Regulatory Law

Awards & Recognition

Recognized: Administrative / Regulatory Law
Recognized: Land Use and Zoning Law
Recognized: Real Estate Law

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2023

Education

Santa Clara University, J.D., graduated 1992

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Reviews

Paul Allen

3 months ago

A solid, experienced attorney for complex real estate matters

I engaged Katherine Garson to assist with a complicated land use variance for a property I was developing in the Hilo area. Her deep experience, spanning over three decades, was immediately apparent. She clearly knows the intricacies of Hawaii's land use and zoning regulations inside and out, and her recognition in that field is well-deserved. The documentation she prepared was thorough and her strategic advice on navigating the county's administrative process was sound. Ultimately, we achieved the necessary approvals. However, the experience felt somewhat transactional. While her legal competence is not in question, communication was at times slower than I would have preferred, with responses sometimes taking several days. For straightforward matters, this might be fine, but during tense periods of the process, it led to some anxiety. Her billing was as expected for a firm of Carlsmith Ball's stature. I would recommend her for her substantive knowledge, but clients should be prepared to manage expectations around responsiveness and take a proactive role in follow-up.