Atty. Jonathan W. Y. Lai

Atty. Jonathan W. Y. Lai

Jonathan W. Y.

Honolulu Honolulu 31 yrs experience 31 year
Call (808) 808-4235 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About Jonathan W. Y. Lai at a glance

Jonathan W. Y. Lai is a Partner based in Honolulu, Hawaii, practicing at Watanabe Ing LLP. They have 31+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1995. Their practice focuses on business, real estate, bankruptcy, tax, and creditor rights. Admitted to practice in Hawaii (1995). Educated at University of Southern California Law Center (J.D. American, 1995) and Claremont McKenna College (B.A., 1991). Recognitions include BV Distinguished. Active member of Hawaii State Bar Association (Former Chair/President, Treasurer and Director, Bankruptcy Law Section Former Director, Collection Law Section) American Bar Association American Bankruptcy Institute. Serands clients in Honolulu, HI and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Jonathan W. Y. Lai is a lawyer practicing banking law, real estate law, bankruptcy law and 5 other areas of law
  • Jonathan received a B.A. degree from Claremont McKenna College in 1991, and has been licensed for 31 years
  • Jonathan practices at Watanabe Ing LLP in Honolulu, HI

Practice Areas Explained

Jonathan W. Y. Lai's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Jonathan W. Y. Lai handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Business & Corporate Law

Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.

Jonathan W. Y. Lai is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Hawaii →

Real Estate Law

Real estate attorneys handle home purchases, sales, commercial transactions, title disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.

Jonathan W. Y. Lai is one of 316,149 real estate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse real estate attorneys in Hawaii →

Bankruptcy & Debt

A bankruptcy attorney can help you eliminate debt, stop creditor harassment, and protect your home through Chapter 7 or Chapter 13.

Jonathan W. Y. Lai is one of 105,321 bankruptcy attorneys indexed nationally. Browse bankruptcy attorneys in Hawaii →

Tax Law

Tax attorneys handle IRS audits, tax debt, international tax, estate planning, and tax court litigation.

Jonathan W. Y. Lai is one of 85,302 tax attorneys indexed nationally. Browse tax attorneys in Hawaii →

Creditor Rights & Collections

Jonathan W. Y. Lai is one of 42,948 creditor rights attorneys indexed nationally. Browse creditor rights 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.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Jonathan W. Y. Lai

Where is Jonathan W. Y. Lai's law office located?
Jonathan W. Y. Lai's law practice is located in Honolulu, Hawaii. The firm is Watanabe Ing LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Jonathan W. Y. Lai handle?
Jonathan W. Y. Lai focuses on business, real estate, bankruptcy, tax, creditor rights. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Hawaii.
How long has Jonathan W. Y. Lai practiced law?
Jonathan W. Y. Lai has 31+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1995.
Where did Jonathan W. Y. Lai go to law school?
Jonathan W. Y. Lai earned their education at (J.D. American, 1995); (B.A., 1991).
How can I contact Jonathan W. Y. Lai for a consultation?
You can contact Jonathan W. Y. Lai directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Jonathan W. Y. Lai received?
Jonathan W. Y. Lai's notable recognition includes: BV Distinguished.

Education

J.D. American
University of Southern California Law Center
- 1995
B.A.
Claremont McKenna College
- 1991

Awards

BV Distinguished

Bar Admissions

Hawaii
Admitted: 1995

Reviews

4.5
1 Review
5 0
4 0
3 0
2 0
1 0
These reviews belong to platform users; they do not constitute advertisement or promotion for the attorney. Opinions are published for informational purposes only.

No reviews yet.