If you are being harassed at work in Honolulu, the law is on your side, and you do not have to pay a lawyer up front to use it. Hawaii's Employment Practices law and federal Title VII both make sexual harassment illegal, and most of the attorneys below take these cases on contingency, meaning you owe no fee unless they win money for you. The hard part is acting in time and documenting what happened. Every firm listed here has a verifiable Honolulu employment practice and was confirmed across at least two independent sources.
Updated September 22, 202511 min readEditorially independent
Sexual harassment at work takes two legal forms. The first is quid pro quo, where a manager ties a job benefit, a raise, a shift, or keeping your job, to a sexual demand. The second is a hostile work environment, where unwelcome comments, touching, images, or advances are severe or pervasive enough to change the conditions of your job. Both are illegal in Hawaii, and you are protected whether you work for a small Honolulu business or a national employer with an office here. Hawaii law, enforced by the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, is in some respects more protective of employees than federal law.
Timing matters more than almost anything else. Hawaii gives you a window to file a complaint with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, and to preserve a federal claim you generally must file with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission within its own deadline. Miss the window and a strong case can be lost on a technicality, which is the single biggest reason to talk to a lawyer early, even if you are not sure you want to sue. Most of the firms below will tell you on a free call whether you still have time.
What it costs to hire one of these attorneys is usually nothing out of pocket. The majority of plaintiff-side employment lawyers in Honolulu work on a contingency fee, commonly a third of any recovery, and front the case costs themselves. A few handle certain matters hourly, typically $250 to $450 an hour. Every firm here appeared in at least two independent sources, including Super Lawyers, Justia, Avvo, Expertise.com, and the firms' own published profiles, and each maintains a real Oahu employment practice that represents workers.
How we picked these 7: We cross-referenced peer rankings and directories (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Justia, Expertise.com, FindLaw) and each firm's own published practice pages. Every firm below appeared in at least two independent sources and has a verifiable Honolulu-area sexual harassment practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
Fujiwara & Rosenbaum, LLLC
Honolulu, HICivil rights & employmentConsultation available
Practice focus: Sexual harassment, employment discrimination, retaliation, civil rights
Fujiwara & Rosenbaum is a Honolulu civil-rights and employment firm that has handled thousands of employment discrimination matters, including sexual harassment mediation and litigation. Its attorneys bring more than 45 years of combined experience representing employees against employers who violate Hawaii and federal civil-rights laws.
Why they made the list: A civil-rights and employment firm with deep harassment experience and decades of combined trial work.
Practice focus: Sexual harassment, wrongful termination, retaliation, wage and hour
Shawn A. Luiz aggressively asserts the rights of employees throughout Hawaii in employment matters, including sexual harassment, wrongful termination, retaliation, whistleblower actions, and wage-and-hour violations. The practice focuses on workers rather than employers.
Why they made the list: An aggressive employee-side practice that handles harassment alongside the retaliation that often follows.
Honolulu, HI20+ years experienceConsultation available
Practice focus: Workplace discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation
Scot Stuart Brower has more than two decades of experience and has tried discrimination cases in both state and federal courts in Hawaii. The firm examines a worker's situation, explains the law, and pursues claims against employers for harassment and discrimination.
Why they made the list: A trial-tested employee-side practice that has taken discrimination cases to both state and federal court.
Practice focus: Workplace sexual harassment, employment claims
Sapolu Law Office helps victims of workplace sexual harassment in Honolulu raise claims to hold abusers, and the companies that allow abuse to continue, accountable. The practice represents employees in harassment and related employment disputes.
Why they made the list: A worker-focused office that frames harassment cases around holding both the abuser and the employer accountable.
Honolulu, HISuper Lawyers listedConsultation available
Practice focus: Sexual harassment, wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation
Roman Amaguin is named to the Hawaii Super Lawyers list and litigates claims involving sexual and other forms of harassment, wrongful termination, whistleblowers, discrimination, and retaliation. The practice represents employees in workplace disputes.
Why they made the list: A peer-recognized trial lawyer, Super Lawyers listed, for harassment claims that may need a jury.
Honolulu, HIEmployment & litigationConsultation available
Practice focus: Employment discrimination, sexual harassment, civil litigation
Bickerton Law Group is a Honolulu litigation firm whose employment discrimination attorneys help victims of discriminatory and harassing conduct seek compensation, alongside the firm's broader commercial and consumer litigation practice.
Why they made the list: A litigation firm with employment-discrimination capability for harassment cases that become complex lawsuits.
Practice focus: Workplace discrimination, harassment, retaliation, fraud
Showa Law Office handles employment cases involving unlawful discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and related illegal conduct in the workplace, representing Honolulu employees in disputes with their employers.
Why they made the list: An employee-side practice that takes harassment, discrimination, and retaliation matters for Oahu workers.
Tell us what happened and where you work, and we will connect you with a Honolulu sexual harassment attorney for a free, confidential consultation. No cost, no obligation.
How to choose between them in Honolulu
Act before the deadline. Hawaii claims start with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, and federal claims with the EEOC, each within its own window. The first thing any of these firms will check is whether you still have time, so call early.
Look for a contingency fee. Most employee-side Honolulu firms take harassment cases on contingency, so you pay nothing unless they recover money. Confirm the percentage and who covers case costs before you sign.
Match the firm to your goal. If you want money damages and a clean exit, a plaintiff's firm fits. If your case may need a jury, choose a firm with real trial experience like the Super Lawyers-listed options above.
Bring your documentation. The strongest harassment cases are documented. A firm that asks for your timeline, messages, and HR complaints on the first call is taking your case seriously.
What sexual harassment help typically costs in Honolulu
Hiring a sexual harassment lawyer in Honolulu usually costs you nothing up front, because most work on contingency. Here is the fuller picture:
Contingency fee: Most employee-side firms take a percentage of any recovery, commonly around one third, and charge no fee if you do not win. You pay nothing out of pocket to start.
Case costs: Filing fees, depositions, and expert costs are often advanced by the firm and repaid from any recovery. Ask whether you owe these if the case is lost.
Hourly work: A few matters, such as negotiating a severance or a single demand letter, may be billed hourly, commonly $250 to $450 an hour in Honolulu.
Administrative complaint: Filing with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission or the EEOC is free and does not require a lawyer, though having one improves how the complaint is framed.
What you can recover: Depending on the facts, recovery can include back pay, emotional-distress damages, and in some cases punitive damages and attorney fees.
Get the fee percentage, the cost-advancement terms, and what happens if you lose, all in writing, before you sign an engagement letter.
How long it takes
A harassment claim moves through predictable stages, and most of the early steps have hard deadlines:
Consultation and review: You meet the attorney, walk through what happened, and find out whether you still have time to file. This often happens within days of your first call.
Administrative complaint: Many claims start with a complaint to the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission or the EEOC, which must come within the filing window. The agency investigates and may attempt resolution.
Right to sue and filing: After the agency process, you may receive a right-to-sue notice and can file in court. This phase can take several months from the original complaint.
Discovery, negotiation, trial: Most cases settle during discovery or mediation; the minority that go to trial can take a year or more. Your lawyer should give you a realistic range up front.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a sexual harassment lawyer in Honolulu
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees a win, a number, or a court ruling, walk away.
The disappearing senior partner. You meet a named partner at intake, then never hear from them again while an unsupervised junior runs the file. Ask in writing who handles your matter day to day.
Pressure to sign on the spot. Reputable firms give you the engagement letter in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a volume-mill signal.
No verifiable track record. Look for named results, peer rankings, board certifications, or bar recognition — not "we have helped thousands of clients."
Vague fees. Every legitimate firm will put the fee structure, what is covered, and what triggers extra charges in a written engagement letter.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most of the firms on this list offer a free or low-cost initial call. Use it. Bring a written list and write down the answers, then compare across two or three firms before you sign anything.
Who, specifically, will handle my matter day to day? Get a name and a direct email, not just the firm.
How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? You want a number, not a brochure line.
What is your fee, and what does it cover? Get the structure in writing before you sign.
What out-of-pocket costs am I responsible for, and when? Filing fees, records, and experts add up - ask now.
What is the realistic range of outcomes? A good lawyer gives a range; a weak one promises the high end.
How long will this take? An honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
What is my deadline, and is it at risk? Many sexual harassment matters carry hard filing deadlines.
How often will I hear from you? Set the communication cadence now.
What can I do to help my own case? The best lawyers will give you homework.
What is the worst-case outcome? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What to bring to your Honolulu consultation
You will get more out of the first call if you arrive organized. For most sexual harassment matters, gather:
A short written timeline. Dates, names, and what happened, in order.
The key documents. Any contracts, letters, agreements, court orders, or filings you have received.
Your correspondence. Relevant emails, texts, or messages - and do not delete anything.
Any deadlines you know about. A court date, a signing deadline, or an agency notice.
Your questions. The 10 above are a good place to start.
If you are not sure whether something is relevant, bring it anyway. It is easier for a lawyer to set aside what does not matter than to chase down what you left at home.
Talk to a vetted Sexual Harassment attorney in Honolulu
Tell us about your situation. We'll match you with one of these firms or a similar one. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions about sexual harassment lawyers in Honolulu
Do I have to pay a lawyer up front for a harassment case in Honolulu?
Usually no. Most employee-side firms take sexual harassment cases on contingency, meaning you pay no attorney fee unless they recover money for you. Confirm the percentage and whether you owe case costs if the case is lost.
How long do I have to file a sexual harassment claim in Hawaii?
Hawaii gives you a window to file with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, and federal claims require an EEOC charge within its own deadline. Talk to a lawyer quickly, because missing the window can end an otherwise strong case.
What counts as illegal sexual harassment at work?
Two main types: quid pro quo, where a job benefit is tied to a sexual demand, and a hostile work environment, where unwelcome conduct is severe or pervasive enough to change your working conditions. Both are illegal under Hawaii and federal law.
Do I have to report it to HR before I can sue?
Not always, but reporting can strengthen your case and is sometimes required by your employer's policy. An attorney can advise on whether and how to report without hurting your claim.
Can I be fired for reporting harassment?
Retaliating against you for reporting harassment in good faith is itself illegal. If you are demoted, disciplined, or fired after complaining, that can become a separate retaliation claim.
Is Hawaii law better for employees than federal law?
In some respects, yes. Hawaii's civil-rights protections, enforced by the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, can be broader than federal law in coverage and remedies. A local employment lawyer can tell you which law gives you the strongest claim.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? The answer tells you a lot. — The LawFirmSquare team
LawFirmSquare is a directory. We do not represent clients or refer cases for a fee.
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