Ken Wong

KENNETH K. P. WONG

ATTORNEY AT LAW

Admitted to Hawaii bar in 1978. Formerly partner with Goodsill, Anderson Quinn & Stifel (1985 –1994) and Beck & Taylor (1994 – May 1998). Solo Practitioner since May 1998.

I have performed legal work in the following areas but one of my unique strengths is figuring out creative solutions to problems resulting in increasing value to a client’s project or freeing a client from potential liability.

REAL ESTATE/FINANCE

Development of Warehouse, Apartments, Condominiums, and Shopping Complex (representing Developers and Land Owners); Conversions into Condominiums; Loans and Mortgages (representing Lenders and Borrowers, Corporate Loans, Real Estate Loans, Construction Loans, Small Business Loans, etc.); Leases (Office, Shopping Center, Warehouse, Industrial, Agricultural, Residential, Airport, etc.); Sales and Acquisitions of various real estate; Construction contracts; 1031 Exchanges; Real Estate Securities; Foreclosures (representing creditors and debtors); Lease Rent Arbitration; Lease to Fee Conversion; Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Partnership; and Conveyancing Documentation.

From 2009-2016 I represented major Waikiki landlords in negotiating and finalizing approximately $120 million in commercial tenant leases with national retailers like H&M, Sephora, Victoria’s Secret, Armani Exchange, Tumi and Lululemon.

I have represented developers in completing approximately 80 large and small condominium projects, the largest being the Waikiki Landmark.

CORPORATE/BUSINESS

General Business counseling including organizing of Corporations, Partnerships, Joint Ventures, Limited Liability Companies, Small Businesses and Non-Profit Corporations; Sales and Acquisitions of Businesses; Buy-Sell Agreements, Voting Trust Agreements, and Shareholder Disputes; Annual and Special Shareholders and Directors Meetings; Employment Agreements; Dissolution, Liquidation, Merger and Reorganization of Business Entities; State Blue Sky Laws; Hart-Scott-Rodino compliance; Trademark and Licensing agreements.

NON PROFITS

Incorporated and advised dozens of non profits, including churches and other charitable Institutions, in obtaining their 501c3 tax exempt status from the IRS

GOVERNMENT

Working with government to find solutions for private sector real estate and business related

issues including development and permitting.

LITIGATION

Class Actions and other complex litigation. Defended securities, real estate, antitrust and product liability class actions, including the heptachlor litigation concerning the contamination of the Oahu milk supply with the heptachlor pesticide which involved numerous defendants and the production of over 1,000,000 documents. Successfully litigated the claims of 103 plaintiffs in a medical malpractice action involving the implantation of a synthetic ligament.

Though I do not litigate in court anymore, because of my litigation, business and real estate experience, I have been successful in settling commercial disputes before the parties escalate into litigation.

EDUCATION

Saint Louis High School 1970 (2nd in class)

Northwestern University – B.A. 1973 (Economics; invited to Honors Program) (Graduated in 3 years)

Hastings College of Law – J.D. 1978 (Law Review)

One-year sabbatical in 1979 traveling throughout the Pacific Islands and Asia.

COMMUNITY/PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Member-Hawaii Supreme Court Commission On Professionalism 2017-prresent

Director: Senior Counsel Division of the Hawaii State Bar Association 2011-present; President (2015).

Member: Transitioning Lawyers Committee 2014-2016

Director: Go Rail Go, a nonprofit, grass roots organization supporting Rail (2008 – 2010) Member: Mayor’s Transit Solution Advisory Committee (2006 – 2010)

Member: Mayor’s Transition Committee (2004)

Member: Real Property & Financial Services Section; Business Law; and Tax Sections of Hawaii State Bar Association

Consultant: State of Hawaii Real Estate Commission July 2005 – July 2006

Director: Hawaii Habitat for Humanity (1992 – 1994); Hawaii Central Credit Union (1991 – 1999; 2004 – 2007); Hawaii Captive Insurance Council (1993 – 1995); Hawaii Developer’s Council (1992 – 1998); Youth For Christ Hawaii (2014-present)

AYSO & HYSA Soccer Coach (1994 – 2002); Youth Basketball Coach (1997)

Arbitrator: Better Business Bureau Automobile Program (1980’s); Court Annexed Arbitration (1991 – present)

Lay Minister

Chairman: Mediation/Arbitration Committee for the Christian Legal Society (Hawaii) (1998 & 1999)

ARTICLES

Preserving and Passing On Your Wealth Through Family Limited Partnerships, Hawaii Developers’ Council Newsletter, June 1994; Limited Liability Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships, Hawaii Developers’ Council Newsletter, September 1996

LANGUAGES

Some understanding of Cantonese and Mandarin.