Litigation, Arbitration, and Mediation -
Civil Litigation Attorneys
Experienced Civil Litigation Attorneys in Hawaii
We are experienced civil litigation attorneys in Hawaii. Based in downtown Honolulu, Luminate Law counsels businesses on disputes concerning a broad range of subject matter. Numerous business and individuals have hired our attorneys to engage in civil litigation, arbitration, and mediation to resolve disputes successfully in Hawaii and beyond. Super Lawyers named our lead civil litigation attorney to the Top 25 List in Hawaii for 2014 and 2019 and Best Lawyers® selected him as Lawyer of the Year in Litigation-Environmental in Hawaii for 2020.
Representative Experience in Civil Litigation
- Obtained $1.1 million judgment for Hawaii subcontractor after trial in a contract dispute with national environmental remediation company
- Successfully defended hospitality industry leader in arbitration against breach of contract claim brought by international restaurant chain. Resolved case by way of motion for summary disposition
- Obtained million-dollar arbitration award for private real estate developer against governmental agency
- Secured jury verdict for defendant in defamation action against magazine publisher. Successfully defended judgment on appeal to Ninth Circuit. Chapman v. Journal Concepts, Inc., No. 09-16303, 2010 WL 4269524 (9th Cir. Oct. 27, 2010)
- Successfully challenged City and County of Honolulu's interpretation of exception to open meetings requirement under State Sunshine Law. Right to Know Committee v. City Council, 117 Hawaii 1, 175 P.3d 111 (App. 2007)
- Helped major Honolulu newspaper to obtain access to sealed court records in whistleblower action against a municipal employer. Kamakana v. City and County of Honolulu, 447 F.3d 1172 (9th Cir. 2006)
- Won summary judgment and Ninth Circuit affirmance on claims to enforce judgment against judgment debtor and its partners and successors-in-interest
- Obtained reversal of County of Hawaii Planning Commission’s decision to deny Special Management Area permit to developer of proposed condominium project
- Assisted in defense of publicly-traded company in consumer fraud class action
AREAS OF EMPHASIS
Business litigation, arbitration, and mediation
- Breach of contract lawsuits
- Intra-company disputes
- Trade secret violations
- Non-compete litigation
- Fraud claims
- Unfair or deceptive acts or practices (UDAP)
Environmental litigation
- Declaratory actions
- Contested case proceedings
- CERCLA claims
- NEPA/HEPA lawsuits
Defamation
Insurance coverage disputes
Appeals
Speaking Engagements & Presentations
- “Social Media for Litigators” - Federal Bar Association (Elijah Yip)
- Social Media Legal Issues Affecting Jurors - U.S. District Court, District of Hawaii Conference (Elijah Yip)
- “Social Media Evidence–a Primer” - Hawaii State Judiciary Judges Conference (Elijah Yip)
- “Social Media in E-Discovery: A New Tool and Emerging Law” - co-presented with Don Swanson, International Legal Technology Association (Elijah Yip)
- “E-Discovery in Hawai‘i: Navigating the Pitfalls of Preservation and Production” - Elijah Yip as Moderator, Hawai‘i State Bar Convention (Elijah Yip)
Publications
- Elijah Yip, Hawaii State Bar Association’s Federal Appellate Practice Manual (2013), Chapter on Oral Argument