Atty. Tom E. Roesser
Tom E. Roesser chairs the firm's Bankruptcy & Creditors Rights Practice Group.
Banking And Finance Law & More Attorney · Serving Honolulu, HI
Profile Summary
About Tom E. Roesser at a Glance
Tom E. Roesser is a business, bankruptcy, foreclosure, and litigation attorney based in Honolulu, Hawaii, practicing at Carlsmith Ball LLP. Admitted to practice in Hawaii, Hawaii State Bar. Educated at Boston University School of Law (J.D., 1982) and Northwestern University (—, 1979). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Banking and Finance Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation (2026). Serves clients in Honolulu, HI and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Tom E. Roesser
Tom E. Roesser chairs the firm's Bankruptcy & Creditors Rights Practice Group. Mr. Roesser concentrates on advising financial institutions on problem loans, including loan workouts and foreclosures, bankruptcy, and lender liability issues. He served as President of the Bankruptcy Law Section of the Hawai`i State Bar Association in 2005 and is also a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute and the Business Law Section of the American Bar Association. He also concentrates in commercial lending, including security interests in both real and personal property, the Uniform Commercial Code, and in usury and financial services loan regulations as they apply to small and large financial institutions. Mr. Roesser's experience also includes consumer credit issues, including the Truth in Lending Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Credit Reporting and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. He is a frequent speaker, giving presentations at numerous seminars regarding developments in the consumer credit area.
Mr. Roesser was recently named Honolulu Lawyer of the Year—Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law by The Best Lawyers in America 2016. He is also listed by the publication for Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights/Insolvency. He is listed in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2018 for Bankruptcy/Restructuring (Band 1) and forCorporate/Commercial: Finance. Chambers said, "Tom Roesser is considered by peers to be 'one of the top and most innovative lawyers for bankruptcy work.'"
Representative Matters
Bankruptcy Provided advice, negotiation, and documentation work for financial institutions in numerous bankruptcy proceedings. Served as local counsel to Joshua Gotbaum, Chapter 11 Trustee for Hawaiian Airlines, Inc., in which the confirmed plan of reorganization provided for a 100% recovery to general unsecured creditors. Also served as local counsel to the Secured Creditors in the Liberty House case, in which the confirmed plan of reorganization converted the secured claim of $150 million into ownership of Liberty House. Secured Creditors subsequently sold Liberty House to Federated Department Stores.
Financial Institution Conducted negotiations and prepared documentation for foreclosure on 1,000-acre mixed-use project on Maui. After obtaining judgment, borrower sold property and creditor received entire principal balance of loan, all accrued interest, attorney fees and late charges.
Commercial Lending Provided negotiations and documentation for $25 million dollar loan for commercial building mortgage on Oahu. Transaction involved complex issues related to use of additional collateral located out of the United States. Prepared loan documents for refinancing of $35 million shopping center loan and also prepared loan documents to finance purchase of $22 million condominium building.
Loan Workouts Provided advice, negotiation, and documentation work for numerous loan workouts for financial institutions. Loan workouts have been for a variety of projects, including auto dealers, real estate developers, golf courses, and residential properties.
Truth in Lending Represented financial institutions in connection with litigation arising from truth in lending charges by borrowers. Advised financial institutions on Truth in Lending compliance to prevent litigation.
Licenses Assisted in obtaining financial services loan compliance license for multiple financial services institutions.
Distinctions
- Listed in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2016 for Bankruptcy/Restructuring (Band 1) and forCorporate/Commercial: Finance
- Named Honolulu Lawyer of the Year—Mortgate Banking Foreclosure Law by The Best Lawyers in America 2016
- Selected by attorney peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2016 for Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law and for Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law; listed in the publication since 2010
- Selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers 2013 for Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights
Affiliations
- Hawai`i State Bar Association
Practice Areas Explained
Tom E. Roesser's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Tom E. Roesser handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Honolulu.
Business & Corporate Law in Honolulu
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Tom E. Roesser is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Hawaii →
Bankruptcy & Debt in Honolulu
A bankruptcy attorney can help you eliminate debt, stop creditor harassment, and protect your home through Chapter 7 or Chapter 13.
Tom E. Roesser is one of 104,458 bankruptcy attorneys indexed nationally. Browse bankruptcy attorneys in Hawaii →
Foreclosure Defense in Honolulu
Tom E. Roesser is one of 14,094 foreclosure attorneys indexed nationally. Browse foreclosure attorneys in Hawaii →
Civil Litigation in Honolulu
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
Tom E. Roesser is one of 450,751 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Hawaii →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Honolulu
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 venue, 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.
Honolulu Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Honolulu-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Hawaii attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Honolulu or all attorneys in Hawaii.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Honolulu Choose Tom E. Roesser
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Tom E. Roesser's practice in the field of business, bankruptcy, foreclosure, and litigation.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering business, bankruptcy, and foreclosure, Tom E. Roesser can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Honolulu
A Honolulu-based practice means Tom E. Roesser attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Tom E. Roesser Handles in Honolulu
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Tom E. Roesser has experience with under Hawaii law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Tom E. Roesser directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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Tom E. Roesser's Practice Areas & Specializations
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