William H. Lawson Law Offices

William H. Lawson Hawaii Personal Injury Attorney

This lawyer is licensed to practice in Hawaii and has no record of discipline from the Hawaii bar association.*

Firm Overview

Since 1979 our firm has been focused on serious personal injury claims, product defect claims and wrongful death claims. We provide assistance in the investigation, documentation, assertion and resolution of such claims. Our practice includes jury trials, judge trials (bench trials), arbitration, mediation and alternative dispute resolution methods. We fight for our clients.

Example cases

Wrongful Death (unattended fall from hotel balcony in Kona) $4.1 million jury verdict in December 2011; Product iability claims for condominium fire caused by defective fan causing over $2.0 million in damages; Unfair Competition (including claims before the International Trade Commission in Washington, D.C.) (Kukui Nuts of Hawaii Inc. v. Baird, et. al.)

Main Office

Main
1188 Bishop Street
Suite 2902
Honolulu HI 96813

Phone

(808) 528-2525

Websites

Fees

Free Initial Consultation?

Yes. (Usually the initial consultation can be handled in under 1 hour, but we will go longer in an appropriate case.)

Services Offered For Fixed Fees?

Fees are usually on a contingency fee basis. No recovery = no fees.

Hourly Rates

When hourly rates apply - the prevailing rates are charged ($400.00 per hour at present).

Office Information

Office Hours

Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 4:30 pm — and by appointment outside of regular office hours.

Office Manager

Sheri

Emergency After Hours

Yes

Languages Spoken

Japanese. We have also arranged for translation services for virtually every other language spoken in Hawaii.

Is your firm willing to help a client with one discrete part of a case, without taking on the whole case?

Due to potential dangers in having divided responsibilities with a client for ongoing litigation, our firm generally only accepts cases on an all-or-nothing basis. However we do co-counsel with other experienced personal injury counsel, especially on cases where out-of-state counsel is needed.

What are your policies about dividing work within the firm to make the process most cost-effective for the client?

We have a paralegal and an office manager to assist on individual cases, but the client always has access to the attorney directly.

How frequently does your firm use mediation, arbitration, or collaborative law to resolve cases?

We use mediation, unbinding arbitration, settlement conferences and binding arbitration regularly to resolve cases. One or more is used in virtually every case.

Does your firm provide pro bono legal services or otherwise participate in your community?

Yes, especially.

What is your firm's point of view regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?

Our clients are encouraged to keep abreast of the law, the facts and any new developments involved in their claims.

Is your firm willing to review documents prepared by clients?

Generally it is ill-advised for a claimant with a larger personal injury claim to attempt to self-represent against an insurance company or a large business and their attorneys.

Is your firm willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?

Prior to the assertion of a claim, we will talk to potential litigants about how to best pursue their claims. Clients with larger claims are generally encouraged not to try to represent themselves.

William Lawson

1979