Daniel J. Padilla

Daniel Padilla is Of Counsel in the firm's Honolulu office, whose practice focuses primarily on Pension & ERISA and Banking & Finance. Daniel's other professional interests include Labor & Employment, Corporations, as well as Real Estate Development. Daniel received his J.D. from the University of Hawai`i, William S. Richardson School of Law, where, in addition to his studies, he conducted legal research and designed curriculum for the school's Legal Writing Program. Prior to joining the firm, he served as an Extern for The Honorable Richard W. Pollack of the Hawaii Supreme Court. 

Most recently, Daniel was awarded the 2023 Progress Award in Law & Jurisprudence by the United Filipino Council of Hawaii Foundation for his outstanding volunteer work with the Hawaii Filipino Lawyers Association, Filipino Chamber of Commerce, Filipino Community Center, and many other entities.

Before law school, Daniel enjoyed a long and successful career in the music industry. He performed as a member of the Honolulu Symphony for nearly a decade, served as Director of Orchestras at the University Laboratory School, and taught as a Lecturer at Chaminade University.


Pension and ERISA

• Plan Maintenance Issues: Draft and implement the restatement of approximately 500 defined contribution plans for purposes of maintaining qualified tax-exempt status under the tax laws pursuant to IRS deadline. Draft and maintain ERISA wraparound plan and summary plan description for various clients including large financial institutions, hospitals and health providers, and tax-exempt educational organization.
• ERISA Issues: Advise on form and operational failures for qualified retirement plans and provide corrections under IRS Employee Plans Correction Resolution System. This includes self-correction of plans, as well as correction submissions to IRS for Compliance Statements.
• ESOP Transactions: Represented both Buyer and Seller in various ESOP transactions with purchase prices ranging between $10,000,000 and $50,000,000.
  
  

Banking & Finance

• Consumer Credit Issues: Assisted a mainland credit financing services company in responding to a subpoena issued by the State of Hawaii, Office of Consumer Protection. Provided legal research and analysis to financial services company in regards to possible violations of the Truth in Lending Act, Hawaii’s Door-to-Door Sales Act, Hawaii’s Usury law, and the law governing Unfair & Deceptive Acts and Practices.
  
• Financial Institutions/Credit Unions: Provided legal research and analysis for Hawaii financial institution regarding the pledging of assets, derivatives, and swap transactions. Reviewed proposed loan forms of a local federal credit union for compliance with the new requirements under the combined TILA/RESPA rules. Reviewed third-party vendor contracts for local federal credit union for compliance with state/federal law as well as other contractual issues. Drafted an Opinion Memorandum for client seeking to obtain a VA mortgage.
  

Labor and Employment

• EEOC & Civil Rights: Assisted a local medical practice in the settlement of a charge of discrimination filed with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission (“HCRC”). Assisted in the drafting of a Response to a disability discrimination claim filed with the HCRC against a Hawaii resort by a disgruntled former employee.
• General Employment: Regularly provide legal research and analysis for both Hawaii and Mainland employers in regards to Hawaii Wage & Hour law.

Distinctions

• Selected by attorney peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch 2023 for Banking and Finance Law, Financial Services Regulation Law, Real Estate Law, Tax Law, and Trust and Estates Law; previously listed in 2021
  
• Awarded the 2023 Progress Award in Law & Jurisprudence by the United Filipino Council of Hawaii Foundation for his outstanding volunteer work with the Hawaii Filipino Lawyers Association, Filipino Chamber of Commerce, Filipino Community Center, and many other entities.
  
• Law School Achievement Scholarship, University of Hawai`i
• Augusto Camara III Memorial Scholarship, University of Hawai`i
• Manoa Opportunity Grant, University of Hawai`i
• David Smith Memorial Scholarship, Yale University
• School of Music Scholarship, Northwestern University
• H&I Gordon Memorial Fellowship, Tanglewood Music Center

Affiliations

• Secretary, American Judicature Society
• Board Member, Hawaii Filipino Lawyers Association
• Board Member, Filipino Community Center
• Board Member, Attorneys and Judges Assistance Program, Supreme Court, State of Hawaii
• Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii
• Hawaii State Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Musicians' Association of Hawaii - AFM Local 677