Lawrence S. Okinaga

Lawrence S. Okinaga

Administrative / Regulatory Law

4.0 (1 reviews)
Honolulu, Hawaii
62+ years experience
Carlsmith Ball LLP
Updated:

Contact Information

1001 Bishop Street, Suite 2100, Honolulu, HI 96813
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Bio

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 EmploymentLaw Clerk, Hon. Martin Pence, Chief Judge, U.S. District Court, Honolulu, Hawai`iCongressional Assistant, Hon. Spark M. Matsunaga, U.S. House of RepresentativesCaptain, U.S. Air Force ReserveCommunity DistinctionsPresident's Award, Board of Advisors of the Alumni Admission Program of Georgetown University, 2013Ho'oulu Leadership Award, Hawai`i Institute for Public Affairs, 2013Burnham Greeley Award, ABA Coalition for Justice, 2011Honolulu Forever Young Award, City and County of Honolulu, 2009The John Carroll Award, Georgetown University, 2007Justice Award, American Judicature Society, 2003Paul R. Dean Award, Georgetown Law Center, 1995Real Dean Award (given to the University's Outstanding Senior), University of Hawai`i Professional DistinctionsNamed 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: FinanceHe 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 EstateFellow, American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers, 2007 - PresentFrank Simpson III Award, American Bar Association Banking Law Committee, 2006Peer-review ranked AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbellfor more than 30 yearsAffiliationsAmerican Judicature Society, Chicago, Illinois; President, 1997 - 1999;Hawai`i Chapter, Founder and Director, 1998 - PresentFederal Judicial Selection Commission Working Group, Chair, 2005Hawai`i Federal Judicial Selection Commission; Chair, 2005 - 2013Commission on Judicial Conduct, State of Hawaii, Chairman, 1991 - 1994, Commissioner, 1987 - 1994Judicial Selection Commission, State of Hawaii, 1979 - 1987, Vice Chairman, 1983 - 1985, Chairman, 1985 - 1987American Bar Association, Member, House of Delegates, 1991 - 1993American Bar Association, Member, Standing Committee on Judicial Selection, Compensation & Tenure, 1993 - 1996American Bar Association, Member, Standing Committee on Judicial Independence, 1999 - 2002American Bar Association, Member, Business Law Section, 1975 - Present; Member, Real Property, Trust & Estate Law Section; Member, Public Utility, Communications & Transportation Law SectionHawai`i State Bar Association, Secretary & Member, Board of Directors, 1981National Advisory Council, U.S. Small Business Administration, 1994 - 2000White House Conference on Small Business, 1995Real Property Tax Advisory Committee, Honolulu City Council, 1991 - 1994Consumer Advisory Council to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in Washington, D.C., 1984 - 1986; Vice Chairman, 1986; Member, Steering CommitteeFederal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Advisory Council, 1995 - 2002Federal Savings and Loan Advisory Council to the Federal Home Loan Bank Board in Washington, D.C., Appointed Member, 1988 - 1989Moiliili Community Center, Trustee, 1992 - Present; Past President; Member, Board of DirectorsOffice of Hawaiian Affairs, State of Hawai`i, Investment Advisory Committee, Member, 2008 - PresentGeorgetown University Law Center, Board of Visitors, 1993 - PresentGeorgetown Law Alumni Board, 1986 - 1991Carole Kai Charities, Inc., Great Aloha Run, Chairman, Board of Directors, 2001 - PresentPublic Schools of Hawai`i Foundation, Board of Trustees, 2004 - 2011Japan-America Society of Hawai`i, Board of Trustees, 2004 - PresentHonolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Member, Board of Directors; Chairman, Bylaws Committee & Legal Counsel, 1982 - 2006Kuakini Health System, Trustee, 1983 - 1988, 1989 - 1992, 1993 - 1996Pacific Rim Foundation, Board of Directors, 1987 - 1993Better Business Bureau of Hawai`i, Board of Directors, 1988 - 1990St. Louis Education Foundation, Board of Directors, 1988 - 1993Governor's Citizens Advisory Committee on Coastal Zone ManagementBicentennial Hawai`i Corporation, 1974 - 1977, Secretary 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. 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 Community Distinctions Professional Distinctions

Practice Areas

Administrative / Regulatory Law

Awards & Recognition

  • Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Banking and Finance, Honolulu (2019)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Banking and Finance Law, Honolulu (2018)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Banking and Finance, Honolulu (2017)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Financial Services Regulation Law, Honolulu (2015)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Banking and Finance Law, Honolulu (2013)
  • Recognized: Administrative / Regulatory Law
  • Recognized: Banking and Finance Law
  • Recognized: Consumer Law
  • Recognized: Corporate Law
  • Recognized: Financial Services Regulation Law
  • Recognized: Litigation - Banking and Finance
  • Recognized: Project Finance Law
  • Recognized: Real Estate Law
  • Special Focus: Banking Operations
  • Special Focus: Bankruptcy and Workouts
  • Special Focus: BSA/AML
  • Special Focus: Consumer Finance
  • Special Focus: Corporate Governance
  • Special Focus: Finance
  • Special Focus: Loan Documentation
  • Special Focus: Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Special Focus: Mortgage
  • Special Focus: New Bank Formations
  • Special Focus: Real Estate
  • Special Focus: Regulatory
  • Special Focus: Transactions
  • Special Focus: Trusts
  • Lawyer of the Year—Hawaii— Financial Services Regulation Law, 2015
  • Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2018—Corporate/Commercial: Finance

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2005

Education

  • University of Hawaii at Manoa, B.A., graduated 1963

Reviews

A

Anthony Ward

2 weeks ago

A trusted advisor for complex corporate matters

We engaged Mr. Okinaga to assist with the acquisition of a small commercial property and the subsequent corporate restructuring of our family business. His 60+ years of experience, particularly in real estate and corporate law, were immediately evident. He navigated complex zoning issues and financial covenants with a calm, strategic approach that only someone of his tenure possesses. His deep understanding of Hawaii's specific legal landscape, honed over a lifetime at Carlsmith Ball, was invaluable. While his billing rates reflect his stature and the quality of his work, communication could occasionally lag during non-critical phases, requiring a gentle follow-up. That said, his guidance was flawless, and his recognition as a past 'Lawyer of the Year' in finance and litigation fields is well-deserved. We felt secure having such a seasoned professional at the helm.

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