CARLSMITH BALL LLP
Contact: Michael F. Dolan, Chief Operating Officer
808‐523‐0333; mdolan@carlsmith.com
Aubrey Hawk, APR, Aubrey Hawk Public Relations
808‐351-5800; aubrey@aubreyhawkpr.com
CARLSMITH BALL HONORS ATTORNEY JAMES H. CASE FOR 60 YEARS OF SERVICE
HONOLULU (November 7, 2011)- The Carlsmith Ball law firm this month celebrates the 60th anniversary of attorney Jim Case's affiliation with the firm. He joined the Hilo office in November 1951 and, at age 91, still works in the Honolulu office to actively serve clients every day.
"Jim Case exemplifies ethics, integrity and loyalty in the practice of law," Chair Karl Kobayashi said. "His knowledge of Hawaii history, his intellect, his ability to identify with clients, and his ability to solve complicated problems are the qualities that make him a great lawyer, counselor and mentor to this day." Kobayashi noted that Case's work was instrumental as the firm played an integral role in shaping post-statehood Hawaii, and that he still sets an example for the diverse group of nearly 100 Carlsmith attorneys who work on the cutting edge of the practice of law, from renewable energy and clean technology to entertainment law to sophisticated tax, estate planning and wealth management.
Case helped develop Carlsmith Ball to its modern-day status as one of the state's pre-eminent law firms. He joined the Hilo office in 1951 - one of four partners at the time - and later moved to help open the Honolulu office. During his tenure as chairman of the executive committee, he expanded the firm from 15 lawyers in 1965 to 75 lawyers in 1982, opening offices in multiple locations across the Pacific. In 1979, he was named as one of Hawaii most influential lawyers in the 20 years since statehood.
He made a significant contribution to the development of the tourism industry on the neighbor islands by helping his clients develop hotels, raise capital through the securities markets, and form joint ventures. He helped transform the electric utilities on the islands of Hawaii and Kauai, changing the model from many small companies providing inadequate service to large, full-service companies serving the entire islands. For 40 years he and Carlsmith have fought for landowner rights in Hawaii, representing more than 30 community associations with some 10,000 homeowners as they sought to acquire ownership of the land under their homes.
Clients have included Interisland Resorts, Ltd.; Hamakua Sugar Company, Inc.; American Financial Services of Hawaii, Inc.; developers of Yacht Harbor Towers, Admiral Thomas, Wailana, One Kalakaua Senior Living and Diamond Head Vista; M.L. Macadamia Orchards, L.P.; and C. Brewer & Company, Ltd.
Case was selected by attorney peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2011 in the field of Corporate Law; he has been listed regularly since 1989. He holds the highest "AV" Professional Rating in the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory and is listed in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business. He holds a J.D. from the Harvard University Law School and has been a member of the Hawaii State Bar since 1949.
Carlsmith Ball LLP is a leading law firm in the Pacific region with lawyers serving clients from seven offices in Honolulu, Hilo, Kona, Maui, Guam, Saipan and Los Angeles. For more than 150 years, Carlsmith Ball has assisted clients in achieving their objectives through effective, results‐oriented representation in sophisticated commercial and financial transactions and in complex litigation and arbitration matters. For more information about the firm, please visit www.carlsmith.com.
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