Atty. Harry Y. Oda
Harry Y. Oda is a partner in the firm's Honolulu office, concentrating his practice in the areas of corporate law, commercial transactions, estate planning, pension, probate and taxation.
Profile Summary
About Harry Y. Oda at a glance
Harry Y. Oda is a trusts, family law, employment, and business attorney based in Honolulu, Hawaii, practicing at Kobayashi Sugita & Goda LLP. Admitted to practice in Hawaii, State Bar and California, State Bar of California (Admitted to Practice - Inactive Status). Educated at University of the Pacific (J.D., 1987) and University of California - Los Angeles (BA). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law (2026). Serands clients in Honolulu, HI and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
Harry Y. Oda is a partner in the firm's Honolulu office, concentrating his practice in the areas of corporate law, commercial transactions, estate planning, pension, probate and taxation. Mr. Oda is a member of both the Hawaii and California Bar and has been practicing law since 1987. He was again selected by attorney peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2018 for Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, for Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, for Trusts and Estates, and for Litigation - Trusts and Estates; he has been listed in The Best Lawyers since 2010. In 2013, he was named Lawyer of the Year - Hawai`i - for Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, by the publication.
Representative Matters
Qualified Retirement Plans Draft and amend profit sharing plans, money purchase pension plans, 401(k) plans and target benefit plans. Represent plan administrators in audits conducted by both the IRS and DOL, concerning and involving qualified retirement plans.
Employee Stock Ownership Plans Assist in structuring the succession of closely held corporations through tax deferred sale of stock to ESOPs and ESOP repurchase obligations.
Qualified Domestic Relations Orders Prepare qualified domestic relations orders for assignment benefits under qualified retirement plans. Advise plan administrators as to issues concerning the enforcement and qualification of domestic relations orders.
Public Sector Retirement Plans Advise public sector in the design maintenance, administration and fiduciary obligations relating to public sector retirement plans.
Estate Planning Prepare estate plans for individuals to allow for the transfer of wealth to future generations with special consideration for the transfer of qualified retirement benefits.
Trust Advise trustees on issues relating to fiduciary duties and proper management of trust funds and provide day-to-day operations advice. Work includes advising both trustees and beneficiaries of their rights under trust agreements.
Trust Litigation Assist in the representation of both trustees and beneficiaries in disputed trust accountings. Structure workouts as among beneficiaries for the termination and final distributions of trusts.
Distinctions
- Selected by attorney peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2018 for Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, for Employee Benefts (ERISA) Law, for Trusts and Estates, and for Litigation - Trusts and Estates; he has been listed in The Best Lawyers since 2010. In 2013, he was named the Lawyer of the Year - Hawai`i - for Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law by the publication.
Affiliations
- Hawai`i State Bar Association
- State Bar of California (Admitted to Practice - Inactive Status)
Practice Areas Explained
Harry Y. Oda's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Harry Y. Oda handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Harry Y. Oda is one of 104,171 trusts attorneys indexed nationally. Browse trusts attorneys in Hawaii →
Family law attorneys handle divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, prenups, and protective orders. Find verified family lawyers near you.
Harry Y. Oda is one of 187,066 family law attorneys indexed nationally. Browse family law attorneys in Hawaii →
Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.
Harry Y. Oda is one of 169,120 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in Hawaii →
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Harry Y. Oda is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Hawaii →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Hawaii
Practicing law in Hawaii. Legal matters in Hawaii are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Honolulu are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Hawaii state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Hawaii brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Hawaii courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Hawaii attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Honolulu or all attorneys in Hawaii.
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