Victoria Kalman Attorney / Mediator

I began working as an attorney for an 80+ attorney firm in Sacramento, CA as a business and employment law litigator. After four years of commuting, I joined a smaller law firm closer to home. Two years later, that firm morphed into Hart Kalman & Haas where I served as managing partner. As time passed, the partners' interests diverged and we each formed sole practitioner offices of our own. I maintained a general civil practice in California that included litigation, corporate, and transactional work until I came to Hawaii fulltime in 2000. In 2001, I worked as assistant to the general counsel for a large real estate developer, and assisted in the sale of that business to a national company. In 2003, I sat for the Hawaii state bar exam and continued with the national company as associate in-house counsel until 2004 when I left to return to private practice at Jung & Vassar in Kona. I missed solo practice, and in 2006 opened my current law practice.

I have owned and operated my own businesses, in addition to my law practice, since 1968. I have worked in businesses as small as 2 people and as large as 7,000, with budgets running a similar range. I have lived and worked in the city; I have lived and worked on a small ranch. Additionally, I have served on the boards of numerous nonprofits. I am married (45 years) and have raised 2 wonderful children. I am a private pilot, a SCUBA diver, a sport fisherman, a golfer, and an artist. All of these many and varied experiences help to make me a better lawyer. Having a diverse background permits me to bring "real world" practical solutions to my clients. We all know there are many ways to "skin a cat," but not all of them will fit for every client. Assisting clients in identifying the best alternatives for them is something I do very well.

I am a collaborator. I see the attorney-client relationship as a team, with both attorney and client working toward an agreed goal. For my part, I am a careful listener who gives honest feedback so the client can make informed decisions. I am trustworthy and reliable. In turn, I expect clients to do their part by keeping me informed, gathering information needed, and sticking to the plan.

There is hardly a subject that doesn't interest me! I think life is exciting, challenging, and full of opportunity. I have enjoyed lots of activities over the years. I enjoy everything from skiing and horseback riding, to diving, golf, fishing, and bowling. I read a lot, both for work and for pleasure, and do a bit of art. Most of all, I enjoy time with people. I am an active member of Rotary International, serve on several nonprofit boards, and do what I can to improve my community.