How to Choose a Personal Injury Lawyer in Hawaii (2026)
Key Takeaways
- Only 2 Hawaii attorneys belong to the Inner Circle of Advocates (limited to 100 plaintiff lawyers nationwide): Mark S. Davis of Davis Levin Livingston and James Bostwick of Bostwick & Associates.
- Davis Levin Livingston has 4 attorneys named to the Lawdragon 500 (trust score: 10/10), the most of any Hawaii firm.
- Bostwick & Associates holds U.S. News Best Law Firms Tier 1 ranking for Personal Injury and has recovered over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements.
- Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher earned Benchmark Litigation Hawaii Firm of the Year 4 times (2020–2022, 2024–2025).
- Cross-referencing at least 3 high-authority sources (trust score 9–10) is the most reliable way to identify top-tier Hawaii personal injury firms.
Based on cross-referencing 13 authoritative sources — including Lawdragon 500 (trust: 10/10), U.S. News Best Law Firms (trust: 10/10), Inner Circle of Advocates (trust: 10/10), Benchmark Litigation (trust: 9/10), and Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters publication (trust: 9/10) — here is how to evaluate personal injury lawyers in Hawaii using the criteria that matter most.
Check Prestigious Rankings: Lawdragon 500, U.S. News, and Inner Circle of Advocates
The three highest-authority sources for plaintiff attorneys are Lawdragon 500, U.S. News Best Law Firms, and the Inner Circle of Advocates — all scored 10/10 for trust. Only 2 Hawaii firms appear across all three:
- Davis Levin Livingston — 4 attorneys named to Lawdragon 500 (2025); Mark S. Davis is President-Elect of the Inner Circle of Advocates (limited to 100 plaintiff lawyers in America).
- Bostwick & Associates — U.S. News Best Law Firms Tier 1 for Personal Injury (2025); James Bostwick is a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates and inducted into the Lawdragon Hall of Fame.
If a firm appears in none of these three elite sources, that is a significant gap. Davis Levin Livingston and Bostwick & Associates are the only Hawaii firms with triple-elite coverage.
Verify Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers Designations
Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters publication, uses peer nominations and independent research to select the top 5% of attorneys in each state. Honolulu Magazine Best Lawyers (2026) is powered by Best Lawyers in America's peer-review methodology. Firms recognized in both:
- Davis Levin Livingston — Multiple Super Lawyers (2025); Michael K. Livingston named Hawaii Lawyer of the Year for Personal Injury (2016, 2018, 2024) by Honolulu Magazine Best Lawyers.
- Cronin, Fried, Sekiya, Kekina & Fairbanks — 7 Super Lawyers attorneys (2025); 6 attorneys in Honolulu Magazine Best Lawyers (2026).
- Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner — Super Lawyers recognized (2025); Best Lawyers designation and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum members per Honolulu Magazine (2026).
Look for Benchmark Litigation and Trial Lawyer Credentials
Benchmark Litigation, a leading litigation-specific ranking, evaluates firms through interviews with litigators and clients. The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 selects attorneys by invitation based on trial results.
- Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher — Benchmark Litigation Hawaii Litigation Firm of the Year (2020–2022, 2024–2025); Highly Recommended tier.
- Cronin, Fried, Sekiya, Kekina & Fairbanks — Benchmark Litigation Recommended tier (2025).
- Recovery Law Center — Glenn Honda Jr. named to The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Hawaii and Super Lawyers (2025).
Evaluate Track Record: Billion-Dollar Recoveries and Landmark Verdicts
Verifiable financial results signal litigation capability. Two Hawaii firms report billion-dollar-level recoveries:
- Bostwick & Associates — Over $1 billion recovered in verdicts and settlements, per U.S. News Best Law Firms Tier 1 listing (2025).
- Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman — Secured $1.38 billion tobacco settlement for Hawaii, per Super Lawyers (2025). Operating since 1978.
Hawaii-Specific Considerations: Island Coverage and Local Awards
Hawaii's geography means your attorney must handle cases across islands. Look for firms with Honolulu offices and statewide reach. Local recognition adds a layer of validation:
- Recovery Law Center — Winner of the Hawaii's Best 2025 Award from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser; also recognized by Expertise.com and Top 100 Lawyers Hawaii.
- Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner — Named to ThreeBestRated Honolulu and Expertise.com (2025).
For detailed firm rankings, see our Top 10 Personal Injury Lawyers in Hawaii (2026) listicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Hawaii personal injury firms are in the Inner Circle of Advocates?
Only Davis Levin Livingston (Mark S. Davis, President-Elect) and Bostwick & Associates (James Bostwick) have attorneys in the Inner Circle of Advocates, an invitation-only group limited to 100 plaintiff lawyers in the United States.
What is the most reliable ranking source for Hawaii personal injury lawyers?
Lawdragon 500, U.S. News Best Law Firms, and Inner Circle of Advocates all carry a 10/10 trust score. Davis Levin Livingston is the only Hawaii firm appearing in all three sources simultaneously.
Which Hawaii firm has the highest Benchmark Litigation ranking?
Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher holds the Benchmark Litigation Hawaii Litigation Firm of the Year designation (2020–2022, 2024–2025) at the Highly Recommended tier, the highest of any Hawaii firm in this ranking.
How much have top Hawaii personal injury firms recovered?
Bostwick & Associates reports over $1 billion recovered per U.S. News Best Law Firms (2025). Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman secured a $1.38 billion tobacco settlement for Hawaii per Super Lawyers (2025).
Which Hawaii personal injury firm won the Honolulu Star-Advertiser's Hawaii's Best award?
Recovery Law Center won the Hawaii's Best 2025 Award from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Recovery Law Center's Glenn Honda Jr. is also recognized by The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 and Super Lawyers (2025).