Steven S. C. Steve Lim

Steven S. C. Steve Lim

Administrative / Regulatory Law

4.0 (1 reviews)
Hilo, Hawaii
16+ years experience
Carlsmith Ball LLP
Updated:

Contact Information

121 Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo, HI 96720
Login to Contact

Create an account to contact this attorney

Bio

Steve Lim is the Administrative Partner of the firm's Hilo office and is headquartered in the firm's Honolulu office. He has over twenty years experience on the Big Island, Maui, Kauai, and Oahu in all phases of the real property development process. Mr. Lim concentrates in advising clients on real property due diligence reviews, land use entitlements and administrative issues, including litigation of land use and real property disputes. In 2014, The Best Lawyers in America selected Mr. Lim as Lawyer of the Year (Hawai‘i)—Real Estate Law (Land Use & Zoning Law).Representative MattersReal Property Acquisition, Development, and Sale Represents developers and major land owners in all phases of project development. Performs due diligence on complex real estate purchases, including pre-closing review of title issues and zoning and permit compliance, as well as proposed use reviews. Work involves land use entitlements and registration of subdivisions and condominiums, and advising clients on licensing and permitting requirements at the federal, state and local levels. Represents individuals and development entities in the purchase and sale of real property, and in actions to quiet title.Resort, Master Planned Community and Golf Course DevelopmentAssists owners and developers with multi-phased resort and golf course development projects. Obtains state and county zoning entitlements, and advises clients on real property, construction and related areas of the law.Licenses, Permits & Administrative Appeals Assists clients in obtaining a wide variety of licenses and permits from governmental agencies, including liquor licenses, conditional use permits, industrial wastewater discharge permits, shoreline setback variances, site plan review permits, and special management area use permits, among others. Obtains approvals for variances from affordable housing rules, and zoning and subdivision requirements. Represents clients in litigation of administrative appeals before agencies, boards, and the courts.DistinctionsListed in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2018 for Real Estate: Land Use & Zoning LawSelected by Best Lawyers in America as Lawyer of the Year (Hawai‘i)—Real Estate Law (Land Use & Zoning)Selected by attorney peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2018 for Land Use & Zoning Law and for Real Estate Law; Mr. Lim has been listed in The Best Lawyers since 2009AffiliationsUrban Land InstitutePlanning Commission Member, City & County of HonoluluHawai‘i State Bar AssociationHawai‘i County Bar Association Steve Lim is the Administrative Partner of the firm's Hilo office and is headquartered in the firm's Honolulu office. He has over twenty years experience on the Big Island, Maui, Kauai, and Oahu in all phases of the real property development process. Mr. Lim concentrates in advising clients on real property due diligence reviews, land use entitlements and administrative issues, including litigation of land use and real property disputes. In 2014, The Best Lawyers in America selected Mr. Lim as Lawyer of the Year (Hawai‘i)—Real Estate Law (Land Use & Zoning Law). Representative Matters Real Property Acquisition, Development, and Sale Represents developers and major land owners in all phases of project development. Performs due diligence on complex real estate purchases, including pre-closing review of title issues and zoning and permit compliance, as well as proposed use reviews. Work involves land use entitlements and registration of subdivisions and condominiums, and advising clients on licensing and permitting requirements at the federal, state and local levels. Represents individuals and development entities in the purchase and sale of real property, and in actions to quiet title. Resort, Master Planned Community and Golf Course DevelopmentAssists owners and developers with multi-phased resort and golf course development projects. Obtains state and county zoning entitlements, and advises clients on real property, construction and related areas of the law. Licenses, Permits & Administrative Appeals Assists clients in obtaining a wide variety of licenses and permits from governmental agencies, including liquor licenses, conditional use permits, industrial wastewater discharge permits, shoreline setback variances, site plan review permits, and special management area use permits, among others. Obtains approvals for variances from affordable housing rules, and zoning and subdivision requirements. Represents clients in litigation of administrative appeals before agencies, boards, and the courts. Distinctions Affiliations

Practice Areas

Administrative / Regulatory Law

Awards & Recognition

  • Lawyer of the Year: Land Use and Zoning Law, Honolulu (2025)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Land Use and Zoning Law, Honolulu (2014)
  • Recognized: Administrative / Regulatory Law
  • Recognized: Land Use and Zoning Law
  • Recognized: Real Estate Law
  • Special Focus: Administrative
  • Special Focus: Commercial
  • Special Focus: Land Use
  • Special Focus: Real Property Law
  • Special Focus: Residential
  • Special Focus: Resorts
  • Special Focus: Subdivision
  • Special Focus: Tax Certiorari
  • Special Focus: Title Matters
  • Special Focus: Transactions
  • Special Focus: Zoning
  • Listed in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2018 for Real Estate: Land Use & Zoning Law (Band 1)
  • Selected by The Best Lawyers in America as Lawyer of the Year (Hawai'i)—Real Estate Law (Land Use & Zoning)

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2009

Education

  • University of Hawaii at Manoa, BA, Phi Beta Kappa, with Distinction

Reviews

S

Steven Reyes

2 weeks ago

Knowledgeable & Dedicated

Attorney Steven S. C. Steve Lim's deep understanding of land use and zoning law was invaluable for our property development project. His 16 years of experience across the Hawaiian Islands gave us confidence in his expertise. Steve's awards, like the Lawyer of the Year in Land Use and Zoning, speak to his skills. While his legal counsel was excellent, communication could sometimes be slower than expected for urgent matters. Highly recommend for complex property matters.

Write a Review

Please login to leave a review for this attorney.

Login to Review

Don't have an account? Create one

Related Attorneys

Newton J. Chu

Newton J. Chu

Administrative Law

Detroit, HI
5.0 (1 reviews)
View Profile
Detroit, HI
5.0 (1 reviews)
View Profile
Houston, HI
5.0 (1 reviews)
View Profile
Christopher T. Kobayashi

Christopher T. Kobayashi

Sports & Entertainment

Dallas, HI
5.0 (1 reviews)
View Profile