James Leavitt

James T. Leavitt is the founder of Leavitt, Yamane & Soldner. After more than 50 years leading the firm, he stepped back from day-to-day case responsibilities and continues with the firm as senior counsel. He came to Hawaii in 1968 as a U.S. Marine Corps captain assigned to the Judge Adjutant General's office at Pearl Harbor. After completing his service in 1970, he joined Hawaii's Public Defenders Office, which grew to become the largest criminal defense organization in the State of Hawaii. As a Honolulu injury lawyer, he built a career helping seriously injured clients obtain maximum recoveries. His professional recognition includes an "AV" rating (the highest rating for ability and ethics) by Martindale-Hubbell, which he maintained for more than 30 years. He is a past Board Member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and a past President of the Hawaii Association of Justice, and has been recognized by Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers.