Aggressive Civil Litigation Attorney Hilo -- Protect Your Interests
Big Island individuals and businesses trust William Dean to fight for them in Hawaii Third Circuit Court day or night.
HSBA-Licensed • 24/7 Availability • Free Consultation • Hilo-Based • Transparent Pricing
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Civil Litigation in Hawaii -- Protecting Your Rights in Court
A general contractor in the Puna district of Hawaii Island came to Ohana Law Firm after a client refused to pay nearly $80,000 for a completed renovation, threatening the business with a cash-flow crisis. As a civil litigation attorney serving Hilo and the Big Island, William Dean filed suit in Hawaii Third Circuit Court and secured a favorable settlement before the case reached trial.
Civil litigation on the Big Island covers breach of contract, business disputes, insurance bad faith, property disputes, and personal injury claims. Every case is unique. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, but Ohana Law Firm brings the same preparation to every Big Island client.
Ohana Law Firm serves individuals and businesses across Hawaii Island from our Hilo office. Call anytime — day or night, your call goes straight to an attorney — and a free consultation is available to review your dispute.
What Is Civil Litigation in Hawaii?
Civil litigation is the legal process for resolving non-criminal disputes in court, including breach of contract, business disputes, insurance bad faith, and personal injury claims. Under Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 663, Hawaii Third Circuit Court and Hawaii District Court both hear civil cases on the Big Island, depending on the dollar amount and type of claim involved. |
Civil litigation is the court process for resolving disputes between individuals, businesses, or organizations that do not involve criminal charges. Under Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 663, the Torts Actions chapter, Hawaii law allows a person injured by another’s conduct, whether through negligence, breach of contract, or an unfair business dispute, to seek monetary damages in court.
Civil litigation on the Big Island includes breach of contract claims, business and partnership disputes, insurance bad faith, property line and title disputes, personal injury, and professional negligence claims. Cases are filed in either Hawaii District Court or Hawaii Third Circuit Court in Hilo, depending on the dollar amount claimed and the type of dispute involved. William Dean represents both plaintiffs pursuing claims and defendants responding to lawsuits throughout Hawaii County, from Hilo to Kailua-Kona.
How Civil Litigation Works in Hawaii
- Pre-Suit Investigation and Demand. William Dean reviews the facts, gathers evidence, and often sends a formal demand letter before filing suit, which can resolve some Big Island disputes without litigation.
- Filing the Complaint. If a resolution is not reached, we file a complaint in Hawaii District Court or Hawaii Third Circuit Court in Hilo, depending on the amount in controversy and the nature of the claim.
- Discovery. Both sides exchange evidence through written discovery, document requests, and depositions under the Hawaii Rules of Civil Procedure. This phase often takes several months.
- Motions and Mediation. The court may rule on pretrial motions, and many Big Island civil cases resolve through mediation or settlement negotiations before trial.
- Trial or Settlement. If the case does not settle, William Dean presents your case at trial in Hawaii Third Circuit Court, arguing for the outcome that protects your interests.
Hawaii District Court vs. Hawaii Third Circuit Court
Feature | Hawaii District Court | Hawaii Third Circuit Court (Hilo) |
Claim amount | Up to $40,000 (HRS §604-5) | Above $40,000, or any complex civil matter |
Typical timeline | 6 months to 1 year | 1 to 2 years, longer if it goes to trial |
Formality | Streamlined, some self-representation possible | Full civil procedure, jury trials available |
Small Claims option | Up to $5,000 (HRS §633-27) | Not applicable |
Why Choose Ohana Law Firm as Your Civil Litigation Attorney
William Dean, Esq. is a licensed Hawaii attorney (HSBA) who has litigated cases in Hawaii Third Circuit Court against insurance companies and opposing law firms.
- William Dean holds a JD from the William S. Richardson School of Law, an LLM in International Law from George Washington University, and an MS in Finance from Boston College — a combination that supports complex financial and business litigation.
- Ohana Law Firm secured a five million dollar arbitration award for a client in a contested commercial dispute. Every case is unique, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
- Your call goes straight to an attorney 24 hours a day, seven days a week — no answering service in between.
- A free consultation is available to review your dispute before you commit to representation.
- Ohana Law Firm is based in Hilo and serves Big Island clients from Kona to Ka’u with transparent, honest pricing.
Facing a lawsuit or considering filing one on the Big Island? Call 808-430-0704 anytime — day or night — or schedule your free consultation today. |
Civil Litigation and Hawaii Law -- What Makes the Big Island Different
Civil litigation in Hawaii is shaped by statutes and courts that differ from mainland states. Under Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 657-7, most personal injury and property damage claims must be filed within two years of the injury. Under HRS Section 663-31, Hawaii follows comparative negligence, meaning a plaintiff’s own fault can reduce, but does not automatically bar, recovery. HRS Section 663-10.9 has also abolished pure joint and several liability in most cases, with specific statutory exceptions.
Hawaii District Court has civil jurisdiction over claims up to $40,000 under HRS Section 604-5, while Hawaii Third Circuit Court in Hilo, located at 777 Kilauea Avenue, handles larger and more complex civil matters. The Small Claims Division caps disputes at $5,000 under HRS Section 633-27.
Big Island litigation often involves unique local issues, including disputes over lava zone property disclosures, HARPTA withholding disagreements after a real estate sale, and insurance bad faith claims following storm or vog damage. William Dean brings Hawaii Island-specific experience to each of these disputes.
Coverage Area -- Serving All of Hawaii Island
Ohana Law Firm represents civil litigation clients throughout Hawaii County from our Hilo office. We serve Big Island residents and businesses in Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Puna, Kohala, Ka’u, and Hamakua, whether your dispute is filed in Hawaii Third Circuit Court in Hilo or Hawaii District Court. No matter which district you call home, Ohana Law Firm treats every Big Island client like family.
William Dean, Esq. | JD, William S. Richardson School of Law | LLM International Law, George Washington University | MS Finance, Boston College | HSBA Member |
Frequently Asked Questions
Hawaii civil litigation is governed by Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 663, the Torts Actions chapter, along with the Hawaii Rules of Civil Procedure. These rules set deadlines, filing standards, and evidence rules for lawsuits filed in Hawaii Third Circuit Court. Every case is unique, so consult an attorney about your specific claim.
Civil litigation costs in Hawaii vary widely depending on complexity, discovery, and whether a case settles or goes to trial. Ohana Law Firm offers a free consultation to review your dispute and discuss fee structure before you commit. Call 808-430-0704 to get honest, transparent pricing for your specific situation
Hawaii civil lawsuits typically take six months to two years, depending on court caseload, discovery scope, and whether the case is filed in District Court or Circuit Court. Simple contract disputes resolve faster than complex litigation. William Dean gives clients a realistic timeline estimate during the free consultation.
Yes. Ohana Law Firm represents civil litigation clients throughout the Big Island, including Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Puna, Kohala, Ka'u, and Hamakua. Whether your dispute arose in a Kona business deal or a Puna property line disagreement, William Dean handles Hawaii Third Circuit Court matters island-wide, day or night.
Hawaii District Court hears civil cases up to $40,000 under HRS Section 604-5, while Hawaii Third Circuit Court handles claims above that amount and more complex matters. Small Claims Division caps disputes at $5,000. Your attorney can confirm the correct forum for your specific dispute during a free consultation.
You are not required to hire an attorney for Hawaii small claims court, since claims are capped at $5,000 and the process is informal. For larger disputes in District or Circuit Court, an experienced civil litigation attorney protects your rights. Contact Ohana Law Firm to discuss whether your case qualifies.