Business Law in Hawaii

Don’t settle for a lawyer in Hawaii that lacks the experience and deep knowledge of commercial law that your business deserves. We can connect you with an experienced business law attorney to handle your case.

What Is Business Law?

Business law regulates the conduct of merchants, persons, and businesses who engage in commerce, trade, and sales. Business law is also commonly referred to as commercial law. It covers a broad area, such as real estate laws, safety laws, food laws, and environmental regulations.

The Hawaii Antitrust Act of 1961 prevents certain businesses or industries from creating monopolies in Hawaii and stifling competition.  These laws are enforced by the Attorney General of Hawaii, as the government has the power to block sales or mergers that will allow a cornering of the market. In addition, private citizens can also bring lawsuits against companies for violating antitrust laws.

Staying abreast of current commercial laws can be extremely overwhelming, especially as you’re trying to run a business. Keeping an experienced Hawaii business law attorney on retainer or at least a simple phone call away can help ensure your business remains compliant. Compliance issues can lead to costly damages, so a proactive approach is always best.

How a Qualified Hawaii Business Law Attorney Can Help

 Hawaii Business laws are often associated with unique legal issues. One of the most substantial parts of business law is contract violations. When transactions occur between customers and businesses, this usually involves a contract. Still, some legal concerns and problems happen more often than others. Here are some additional aspects of commercial law that a business attorney can help with:

  • Starting a new business
  • Protecting intellectual property
  • Protecting trade secrets
  • Terminating a business
  • Transferring a business
  • Tackling unfair competition
  • Addressing consumer complaints
  • Handling marketing and advertising disputes and violations

Costly commercial disputes often cover multiple areas of business law. This is why hiring experienced commercial law lawyers in Hawaii is essential to the legal compliance and sustainability of your business.

Areas of Business Law

There are business attorneys who specialize in Hawaii that offer their services to businesses in unique situations. Following are some of the many areas of business law that they tackle.

Organization

If you are developing your business in Hawaii, a lawyer can help you decide whether you list your company as a limited liability company or a corporation. They will also assist with the paperwork you need to file for your business.

Contracts

When you need to form contracts with your suppliers, clients, customers, and your employees, a Hawaii business attorney will help you to prepare the necessary paperwork quickly and professionally. They also help you to respond to any contracts that other organizations or people want your business to sign.

Licenses and Taxes

While the accountant that your business has will prepare and file the tax returns with your business, your business attorney will also let you know how to register your business in Hawaii for state tax identification and federal tax identification numbers. They also provide you with the knowledge that you need to understand any tax consequences and defend you in court, if necessary.

The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs lists industries, and issues licenses in the state of Hawaii. Certain professions such as plumbing, accounting, and cosmetology all require state specific licenses in order to operate. However, you’ll need to apply with a state specific agency rather than the DCCA, such as the Board of Public Accountancy.

Intellectual Property Rights

When an individual creates something, they have some automatic rights to their ideas. However, if someone steals the idea, they may have a difficult time proving the idea or creation was theirs, to begin with. Attorneys can help with the process of protecting IP rights through trademarking and copyright. A business lawyer in Hawaii can also help you seek reparations from companies that infringe on your IP rights or defend you against accusations.

Property Law

Physical properties also need protection. In Hawaii in most instances, this refers to immovable property, such as real estate. Property law governs the use, sale, transfer, or rental of this type of property. Some business attorneys may include premises liability in this area, such as slip-and-fall accidents. Property law may cover moveable assets as well. For instance, companies that rent products would fall into this category.

Consumer Protection

When most people picture Hawaii businesses going to court, they imagine businesses or business people suing each other. This certainly happens quite often, but companies and consumers sue each other too. Consumers often sue companies for defective products or false advertising. Companies, in turn, may sue consumers for libel or slander.

The Office of the Attorney General of Hawaii handles consumer protections, and is responsible for enforcing antitrust law, as well as stifling unfair trade practices. The Attorney General invites any citizen of Hawaii to email the office if they have questions, or wish to file a complaint with the Office of Consumer Protection.

Lobbying

A qualified Hawaii company and agents that lobby on its behalf can advocate for changes to laws. However, first, they must have a deep understanding of the following:

  • What the current laws are
  • How the current laws affect the business
  • What changes might provide better opportunities for the business

This is an especially common hurdle in the world of tech and engineering. For instance, the tech and transportation industry have banded together to lobby governments to consider allowing autonomous vehicles on public roads for testing and eventual official use.

Chapter 97 of the Hawaii Ethics Code states that every lobbyist must register with the state government within 5 days of becoming a lobbyist. In addition, lobbyists must register the principal place of business they represent. As well, they must have written documentation authorizing them to act as a lobbyist on behalf of that business.

There are many other types of business attorneys that your organization in Hawaii may benefit from using. If you’re not sure about what type of business attorney your company needs, use the form below to get connected with the best legal help in your area.

Work With an Experienced Hawaii Business Law Lawyer

Hiring a business law attorney near you can help you to resolve many commercial issues that may emerge. In addition to this, commercial law attorneys in Hawaii can provide you with legal research, legal advice, and any other types of services that your business needs to protect itself or to fight a claim.

A commercial law attorney is also beneficial if your business needs to file a lawsuit or if you’re ever in a situation where you have to attend a court hearing. Additionally, a business law attorney in Hawaii will help you determine the best course of action for your business if you are ever in violation of any laws.

Most importantly, a business attorney helps your Hawaii  business stay out of trouble. Steering clear of legal disputes is always less costly than trying to find your way out of one. While it is not always possible to avoid business litigation, doing all you can to avoid one can go a long way to protecting your business.

Are you looking for a business attorney in Hawaii to defend your business interests? We can connect you with an experienced and passionate lawyer at no cost to you. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Hawaii state lines.

 Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!

How It All Works

Call us or answer the questions on this site. Your category, location, and additional information will help us connect you to a legal professional and we’ll send you the results instantly.

Which Areas of Law?

We have attorneys in over 20 legal categories to choose from.

How Much Does This Cost?

We don’t charge you to be connected. Some legal categories require upfront fees while others do not. The legal professional will determine this with you before you commit to anything.