Law Firm Overview

Phil Brown started this office in 1997 after working for some of the finest law firms in Hawaii, New York City and Virginia. Upon graduating from Washington and Lee University School of Law in 1985, Mr. Brown began working for the main office of Hunton and Williams in Richmond, Virginia. In 1987 Mr. Brown joined the New York office of Reid and Priest (now Thelen Reid and Priest). Mr. Brown often credits these two highly regarded, national law firms as the main reason for his strong background in commercial litigation.

In 1993 Mr. Brown moved to Honolulu and joined its largest law firm, Carlsmith Ball. At Carlsmith, he litigated against some of Hawaii's finest attorneys, including famed plaintiffs attorney, David C. Schutter. Following one spirited oral argument, Mr. Schutter offered Phil Brown the opportunity to join Schutter and represent the claims of some 4000 annuity holders against Bank of America. Phil Brown candidly admits that at that time he had little experience representing the rights of Plaintiffs. However, Brown accepted the challenge and two years later the Plaintiffs received a thirty nine million dollar settlement from Bank of America.

Following the Bank of America settlement Phil Brown started this office in 1997. Based on his diverse background, Phil Brown now ably represents Plaintiffs and Defendants in Commercial Litigation and Personal Injury cases. Moreover, because Phil Brown was trained at two of the biggest law firms in the United States, he often represents clients and law firms seeking local counsel in Hawaii.

Phil Brown is now one of the most active civil litigators in the State of Hawaii.  

Areas of Practice

• General Practice
• Civil Trial Practice
• Commercial Litigation
• Personal Injury
• Civil Rights

Honors and Awards

• Member, Philip C. Jessup Moot Court

Representative Cases

• Lui Ciro, Inc. v. Ciro, Inc., 895 F.Supp. 1365 (D. Hawaii 1995)
• Hi-Pac Ltd. v. Avosct Corp., 26 F.Supp.2d 1230 (D. Hawaii 1997)

West Practice Categories

Alternative Dispute Resolution, Business & Commercial Law, Civil Rights, Ethics & Professional Responsibility, Litigation & Appeals, Personal Injury -- Plaintiff, Professional Malpractice Law, Legal Malpractice