Emerging Real Estate Law Lawyers to Watch in Honolulu (2026)
Key Takeaways
- Hawaii Business Magazine Emerging Legal Stars (2024–2025) recognized 5 real estate-focused attorneys across 3 Honolulu firms including Cades Schutte, Lung Rose Voss & Wagnild, and Dentons.
- Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters publication, named Rising Stars at Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel, Lung Rose Voss & Wagnild, and JMY Law Group for real estate practice.
- Lung Rose Voss & Wagnild placed attorneys in both Emerging Legal Stars and Super Lawyers Rising Stars, signaling the strongest emerging talent pipeline among Honolulu real estate firms.
- JMY Law Group is the only boutique firm to earn both Super Lawyers Rising Stars selections and a U.S. News Best Law Firms ranking for Hawaii real estate law.
- Natori Law Office earned a 5.0 client rating with 42 reviews on Avvo and AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer-review designation.
Based on cross-referencing 16 authoritative sources including Hawaii Business Magazine Emerging Legal Stars, Super Lawyers (a Thomson Reuters publication), and Best Lawyers (a U.S. News & World Report partner), here are the emerging real estate lawyers and firms to watch in Honolulu.
Hawaii Business Magazine Emerging Legal Stars in Real Estate
Hawaii Business Magazine's Emerging Legal Stars program spotlights attorneys in the early stages of distinguished careers. These real estate-focused honorees were selected in 2024–2025:
Sara S.T. Strona, Cades Schutte LLP — Emerging Legal Stars 2024 for commercial real estate (Hawaii Business Magazine, 2024). Cades Schutte LLP is also ranked by Chambers & Partners and Best Lawyers 2026.
Nathan Yang, Cades Schutte LLP — Emerging Legal Stars 2024 for real estate finance (Hawaii Business Magazine, 2024). Cades Schutte LLP holds 10 Lawyer of the Year designations in the Best Lawyers 2026 edition.
Janna Wehilani Ahu, Dentons — Emerging Legal Stars 2025 for real estate law and commercial litigation (Hawaii Business Magazine, 2025). Dentons is rated Highly Recommended by Benchmark Litigation and listed in Best Lawyers 2026.
Jai Keep-Barnes, Lung Rose Voss & Wagnild — Emerging Legal Stars 2024 for real estate (Hawaii Business Magazine, 2024). Lung Rose Voss & Wagnild is recognized by U.S. News Best Law Firms and Best Lawyers 2026.
David Imanaka, Lung Rose Voss & Wagnild — Emerging Legal Stars 2024 for construction litigation (Hawaii Business Magazine, 2024). Lung Rose Voss & Wagnild has 11 lawyers recognized in the Best Lawyers 2026 edition.
Super Lawyers Rising Stars in Real Estate
Super Lawyers, a prestigious Thomson Reuters publication, selects Rising Stars through peer nomination and independent research. Only 2.5% of attorneys earn this designation. These Honolulu firms placed Rising Stars in real estate:
Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel LLP — Rising Stars named to the 2024 Hawaii list (Super Lawyers, 2024). Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel LLP is also rated Highly Recommended by Benchmark Litigation and listed in Best Lawyers 2026.
JMY Law Group LLLC — Rising Stars selected for real estate (Super Lawyers, 2024). JMY Law Group LLLC is the only boutique firm also ranked by U.S. News Best Law Firms for Hawaii real estate law, with 90+ years combined experience.
Lung Rose Voss & Wagnild — Rising Stars and Super Lawyers selections in real estate (Super Lawyers, 2024). Lung Rose Voss & Wagnild is the only firm appearing in both Emerging Legal Stars and Super Lawyers Rising Stars lists.
Emerging Practitioners With Strong Client Recognition
- Natori Law Office LLLC — AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell (highest peer-review rating), 5.0 client rating with 42 reviews on Avvo, and ranked #6 on Yelp among Honolulu real estate attorneys. Natori Law Office LLLC also appears on Expertise.com and ThreeBestRated top lists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Honolulu real estate lawyers were named Emerging Legal Stars by Hawaii Business Magazine?
Hawaii Business Magazine recognized Sara S.T. Strona and Nathan Yang of Cades Schutte LLP, Jai Keep-Barnes and David Imanaka of Lung Rose Voss & Wagnild (2024), and Janna Wehilani Ahu of Dentons (2025) as Emerging Legal Stars in real estate-related practice areas.
What is the Super Lawyers Rising Stars designation for real estate attorneys in Honolulu?
Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters publication, selects Rising Stars through peer nomination and independent evaluation — only 2.5% of attorneys qualify. Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel, JMY Law Group, and Lung Rose Voss & Wagnild placed Rising Stars in Honolulu real estate law.
Are emerging real estate lawyers in Honolulu less qualified than established attorneys?
Not necessarily. Attorneys like those at Cades Schutte LLP and Dentons practice at firms ranked by Chambers & Partners (trust 10/10) and Benchmark Litigation (trust 9/10). Emerging designations recognize career trajectory, not lack of competence.
Which emerging Honolulu real estate firm has the best client reviews?
Natori Law Office LLLC holds a 5.0 client rating with 42 reviews on Avvo and AV Preeminent peer-review rating from Martindale-Hubbell, appearing across 5 independent sources including Expertise.com and ThreeBestRated.
Which boutique firm earned both Rising Stars and Best Law Firms recognition for real estate in Honolulu?
JMY Law Group LLLC is the only boutique firm selected for Super Lawyers Rising Stars and ranked by U.S. News Best Law Firms for Hawaii real estate law, with 90+ years combined experience focused solely on commercial real estate and finance.