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.
Mr. Okinaga is listed in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2024 for Corporate/Commercial: Finance. Chambers said: "Lawrence Okinaga is an outstanding attorney who is sought after by financial institutions for his expertise, with clients highlighting his provision of high-level strategic advice. He knows the insurance regulation process very well and has the relationships necessary to complete the matter." Mr. Okinaga was named Lawyer of the Year for Litigation - Banking and Finance for 2019. He was also named Lawyer of the Year - Banking of Finance Law - Hawai`i by The Best Lawyers in America 2018. Best Lawyers also named him Lawyer of the Year for Administrative/Regulatory Law in 2015.
Distinctions
- Selected by attorney peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2023 for Administrative/ Regulatory Law, Banking and Finance Law, Consumer Law, Corporate Law, Financial Services Regulation Law, Litigation - Banking and Finance Law, Project Finance Law, and Real Estate Law; listed since 2005
- Listed in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2024 for Corporate/Commercial; Finance
- Recently named Best Lawyers 2019 "Lawyer of the Year" - Litigation - Banking and Finance.
- Named Best Lawyers 2018 "Lawyer of the Year" - Banking and Finance Law
- Member of The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation since 2018
- He was named Lawyer of the Year - Financial Services Regulation Law - Hawaii by The Best Lawyers in America 2015 and is also listed Banking and Finance Law, and for Litigation - Banking & Finance; he has been listed in the publication since 2005.
- Selected for inclusion in Hawaii Super Lawyers 2017 for Banking Law; he has been listed in the publication since 2010
- Fellow, American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers, 2007-Present; Board of Regents, 2020 (through 2024)
- Frank Simpson III Award, American Bar Association Banking Law Committee, 2006
- "AV" distinction by Martindale-Hubbell for more than 30 years
- President’s Award, Board of Advisors of the Alumni Admission Program of Georgetown University, 2013
- Ho‘oulu Leadership Award, Hawaii 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 Hawaii
Affiliations
- American Judicature Society, Chicago, Illinois; President, 1997 - 1999; Chairman, 2017 - present; Hawaii Chapter, Founder and Director, 1998 - Present
- Federal Judicial Selection Commission Working Group, Chair, 2005
- Hawaii Federal Judicial Selection Commission; Chairman, 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
- Hawaii 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 Hawaii, 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 Hawaii Foundation, Board of Trustees, 2004 - 2011
- Japan-America Society of Hawaii, 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 Hawaii, Board of Directors, 1988 - 1990
- St. Louis Education Foundation, Board of Directors, 1988 - 1993
- Governor's Citizens Advisory Committee on Coastal Zone Management
- Bicentennial Hawaii Corporation, 1974 - 1977, Secretary