Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about 2021 License Renewal Registration please click here.

ATTORNEYS & JUDGES ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

CERTIFICATE OF GOOD STANDING

CLE and MCLE

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

FILING COMPLAINTS

HSBA MEMBERSHIP

MEMBER BENEFITS

RESEARCH (legal research, attorney history)

ATTORNEYS & JUDGES ASSISTANCE PROGRAM


Q: Where can a member of HSBA find assistance or counseling services?
A: The Attorneys & Judges Assistance Program at (808) 531-2880. AAP also handles substance abuse; stress and family counseling matters. Visit the website here.
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BAR PUBLICATIONS AND ADVERTISING


Q: Do you offer the print edition of the Hawaii Bar Journal for purchase?
A: Yes. Annual subscription rate is $50.00. For more information, please contact the HSBA membership specialist, Liberty Castillo, at [email protected] or (808) 537-1868.
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Q: What are the costs related to printing ad’s in the Bar Journal?
A: Please see the Bar Journal Media Kit .
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Q: I’d love to write an article for the Bar Journal. How do I go about that?
A: If you are interested in writing either a short or long article of general interest to members of the bar, please send your submissions to Ed Kemper at [email protected]; Cynthia M. Johiro at [email protected]; or to any of the volunteer editors on the editorial board. All submitted articles should be of significance to and of interest or concern to members of the Hawaii legal community. A short article is between four to eight pages, double-spaced, approximately 500 to 1,500 words. The long law-review type articles are published in a special issue. These articles exceed 4,500 words. The Hawaii Bar Journal reserves the right to edit or not publish submitted articles.
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Q: Does the HSBA offer advertising opportunities on the HSBA website or its social media sites?
A: No, we currently do not offer any type of advertising (including classifieds) on our official website or social media sites.
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CERTIFICATE OF GOOD STANDING


Q: How do I obtain a certificate of good standing?
A: HSBA does not issue this document. Please contact the Chief Clerk's Office at the Hawaii Supreme Court, (808) 539-4919 to obtain a certificate of good standing.
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Q: How do I obtain Hawaii disciplinary history?
A: HSBA does not maintain this history. Please contact the Office of Disciplinary Counsel at 201 Merchant Street, Suite 1600, Honolulu, HI 96813. Phone (808) 521-4591.
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CLE and MCLE

For any questions related to MCLE, please see our FAQ page with that focus.

Q: How do I obtain a Certificate of Attendance from an HSBA program that I’ve attended?
A: Replacement certificates are obtainable at the cost of $15 per seminar. Please contact HSBA CLE Department at [email protected] or (808) 537-1868.
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Q: I have an idea for a CLE program, whom should I contact?
A: Contact the HSBA Director of Programs, Brian Simon, at [email protected] or call (808) 537-1868.
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DISPUTES


Q: I’d like to resolve a dispute over fees being charged to me by my attorney?
A: Fee disputes between attorneys and clients may be handled through our Attorney/Client Relations Program (808) 537-1868. For more information see the Attorney/Client Relations Program webpage.
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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES


Q: What are employment opportunities like for an out of state attorney thinking about moving to Hawaii?
A: The Hawaii Bar Journal or classified ads in local newspapers are resources that you may find helpful. Further information on working and living in Hawaii may be obtained from the websites of the Hawaii Tourism Authority or the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii.
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FILING COMPLAINTS


Q: How do I file a formal complaint against an attorney practicing in the state of Hawaii?
A: Formal complaints on Hawaii licensed attorneys are handled by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel at (808) 521-4591 or visit the ODC website .
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Q: How do I file a formal complaint against a judge?
A: Complaints against judges are handled by the Commission on Judicial Conduct (808) 539-4790. http://www.courts.state.hi.us/courts/judicial_conduct/commission_on_judicial_conduct.html.
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HSBA MEMBERSHIP


Q: How do I change my license status?
A: Please contact the HSBA membership specialist, Liberty Castillo, at [email protected] or (808) 537-1868.
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Q: How do I go about a change of name request for the Bar and for the Bar Directory?
A: Please contact the HSBA membership specialist, Liberty Castillo, at [email protected] or (808) 537-1868.
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Q: How do I update my address and phone number with the Bar?
A: You have a few options. You may email [email protected], fax (808) 521-7936, or mail an official letter to HSBA with the updated information or you may log-in to your account here and update your membership profile. Note: changes will not be accepted during the renewal period.
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Q: Does the State of Hawaii offer reciprocity to attorneys licensed in other states?
A: Hawaii does not have reciprocity with other states/U.S. territories. Bar admissions here in Hawaii is handled by the State Judiciary. Here is a link to the Hawaii Judiciary's website where you may find information on bar application & instructions and a link to the Rules of the Supreme Court including admission to the bar.
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Q: How do I apply for Bar Membership?
A: Please see http://hsba.org/HSBA/For_Lawyers/Become_a_Member/HSBA/For_Lawyers/HSBAMembership.aspx.
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Q: I have several questions regarding the Hawaii State Bar Exam. Who should I contact?
A: Admission to the HSBA as a licensed attorney is coordinated by the Board of Bar Examiners of the Hawaii Supreme Court and is governed by Rule 1 of the Rules of the Supreme Court of the State of Hawai’i and the Board of Examiners Rules. Information can be obtained from the Hawaii State Judiciary website.
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Q: How do I resign?
A: You need to petition the court in order to resign. Petition must be approved no later than 12/31 of the current licensing year in order not to pay for the following year. Please click here.
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MEMBER BENEFITS


Q: Does the Bar provide health coverage?
A: Health insurance may be obtained from Hawaii Medical Assurance Association (HMAA), Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA), Kaiser Permanente or any other provider. At this time, we have no member benefits agreement with a specific provider.
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RESEARCH (legal research, attorney history)


Q: Does HSBA provide members with free legal research tools?
A: Yes. HSBA provides free legal research to all its members through Fastcase. For more information visit the Fastcase page.
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Q: I’d like the best attorney in the matters of divorce, personal injury, estate planning, elder law (etc.).
A: For a referral to attorneys who practice in specific areas of law, contact the Lawyer Referral & Information Service (LRIS) which has been sponsored by the Hawaii State Bar Association for over 37 years. The service joins a network of nationwide Lawyer Referral Services approved by the American Bar Association. To contact the LRIS, call (808) 537-9140; email to [email protected]; or visit the LRIS website.
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Q: Can I find out the wins and losses of an attorney in court?
A: Currently there is no database available to the public containing ‘wins or losses’ information for individual bar members.
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Q: How can I find out if my attorney has had any complaints filed by other clients?
A: The HSBA does not carry such records. You must contact the Office of Disciplinary Counsel at (808) 521-4591 or visit their website.
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Q: How can I determine if an attorney’s license is up to date?
A: HSBA does have a public directory of that information.
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