Davis Levin Livingston vs. Bostwick & Associates: Top Personal Injury Firms in Hawaii Compared (2026)
Key Takeaways
- Davis Levin Livingston ranks #1 (meta-score 92/100) with 4 attorneys named to the Lawdragon 500, a prestigious legal publication (trust 10/10).
- Bostwick & Associates ranks #2 (meta-score 91/100) with U.S. News Best Law Firms Tier 1 status and over $1 billion recovered.
- Both firms are the only two Hawaii members of the Inner Circle of Advocates, limited to the top 100 plaintiff lawyers in America (trust 10/10).
- Both firms appear in Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters, trust 9/10), Lawdragon 500 (trust 10/10), and Expertise.com.
- Davis Levin Livingston covers more practice areas (6 categories in Lawdragon) while Bostwick & Associates holds the only U.S. News Tier 1 ranking in Hawaii for personal injury.
Based on cross-referencing 13 authoritative sources — including the prestigious Lawdragon 500 (trust 10/10), Inner Circle of Advocates (trust 10/10), U.S. News Best Law Firms (trust 10/10), and Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters publication (trust 9/10) — here is how Hawaii's top two personal injury firms compare.
Davis Levin Livingston vs. Bostwick & Associates — Side-by-Side Rankings
| Category | Davis Levin Livingston | Bostwick & Associates |
|---|---|---|
| Meta-Score | 92/100 (#1) | 91/100 (#2) |
| Source Appearances | 5 of 13 | 5 of 13 |
| Inner Circle of Advocates | ✓ (Mark S. Davis, President-Elect) | ✓ (James Bostwick, Member) |
| Lawdragon 500 | ✓ (4 attorneys listed) | ✓ (James Bostwick, Hall of Fame) |
| Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters) | ✓ (Mark S. Davis, Michael K. Livingston) | ✓ (James S. Bostwick) |
| U.S. News Best Law Firms Tier 1 | — | ✓ (Personal Injury & Medical Malpractice) |
| Honolulu Magazine Best Lawyers 2026 | ✓ (Michael K. Livingston, Lawyer of the Year) | — |
| Expertise.com Top Pick | ✓ | ✓ |
Source Overlap: Inner Circle of Advocates and Lawdragon 500
Davis Levin Livingston and Bostwick & Associates are the only two Hawaii firms with attorneys in the Inner Circle of Advocates, a prestigious organization limited to the top 100 plaintiff lawyers in America. Mark S. Davis of Davis Levin Livingston serves as President-Elect of the Inner Circle of Advocates. James Bostwick of Bostwick & Associates is also an Inner Circle member.
Both firms appear in the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers 2025, a leading legal publication. Davis Levin Livingston has 4 attorneys listed in the Lawdragon 500: Mark S. Davis, Michael K. Livingston, Blaine Rogers, and Loretta A. Sheehan. Bostwick & Associates' founder James Bostwick has been inducted into the Lawdragon Hall of Fame — a distinction for career achievement beyond annual ranking.
Key Attorneys Compared
Davis Levin Livingston fields a deeper bench of recognized attorneys:
- Mark S. Davis — Inner Circle of Advocates President-Elect, Lawdragon 500 honoree, Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters) selectee
- Michael K. Livingston — Hawaii Lawyer of the Year for Personal Injury (2016, 2018, 2024) per Honolulu Magazine Best Lawyers 2026, Lawdragon 500 honoree
- Blaine Rogers and Loretta A. Sheehan — both named to Lawdragon 500
Bostwick & Associates is anchored by a single nationally recognized attorney:
- James Bostwick — Inner Circle of Advocates member, Lawdragon Hall of Fame inductee, Super Lawyers selectee
Practice Area Strengths
Davis Levin Livingston covers 6 practice categories per its Lawdragon 500 listing: personal injury, medical malpractice, class action, civil rights, insurance bad faith, and wrongful death. Bostwick & Associates focuses on personal injury and medical malpractice, holding U.S. News Best Law Firms Tier 1 status in both categories — the only Hawaii firm with that dual Tier 1 distinction. Bostwick & Associates reports over $1 billion in total recoveries per its U.S. News profile.
Which Firm Is Right for Your Case?
- Choose Davis Levin Livingston for cases requiring broad expertise (class action, civil rights, insurance bad faith) or a multi-attorney team with 4 Lawdragon 500 attorneys and a 3-time Hawaii Lawyer of the Year.
- Choose Bostwick & Associates for personal injury or medical malpractice cases backed by U.S. News Tier 1 ranking, a Lawdragon Hall of Fame attorney, and over $1 billion in proven recoveries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which firm ranks higher overall — Davis Levin Livingston or Bostwick & Associates?
Davis Levin Livingston ranks #1 with a meta-score of 92/100 across 13 sources, compared to Bostwick & Associates at #2 with 91/100. Both firms appear in 5 sources each, including the prestigious Lawdragon 500 and Inner Circle of Advocates.
Are Davis Levin Livingston and Bostwick & Associates both in the Inner Circle of Advocates?
Yes. Davis Levin Livingston's Mark S. Davis serves as President-Elect of the Inner Circle of Advocates, and Bostwick & Associates' James Bostwick is a member. These are the only two Hawaii firms represented in this elite organization of the top 100 plaintiff lawyers in America.
Which firm has the U.S. News Best Law Firms Tier 1 ranking?
Bostwick & Associates holds the U.S. News Best Law Firms Tier 1 ranking (trust 10/10) for both Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice in Hawaii. Davis Levin Livingston does not appear in the U.S. News Tier 1 rankings but holds the Honolulu Magazine Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year distinction.
How many attorneys from each firm are in the Lawdragon 500?
Davis Levin Livingston has 4 attorneys in the Lawdragon 500 (Mark S. Davis, Michael K. Livingston, Blaine Rogers, Loretta A. Sheehan). Bostwick & Associates has James Bostwick, who has been inducted into the Lawdragon Hall of Fame.
Which firm handles more practice areas?
Davis Levin Livingston covers 6 practice areas per its Lawdragon 500 listing: personal injury, medical malpractice, class action, civil rights, insurance bad faith, and wrongful death. Bostwick & Associates focuses on personal injury and medical malpractice with U.S. News Tier 1 status in both.