Real Estate & Property Law
Guidance for buyers, sellers, landlords, and investors on property matters.
Dedicated, Experienced, Results Driven
Trusted Legal Representation You Can Count On.
Brian O'Donnell, J.D., LL.M., ACTEC — Providing strategic legal solutions and personalized representation for individuals and businesses for over 24 years.
Board Certified — Estate Planning, Trust &
Probate
Fellow, ACTEC
24+ Years Experience
Proven Track Record
Cases We've Solved
A snapshot of the matters Brian O'Donnell has handled over 24+ years.
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Cases Resolved
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Clients Served
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Real Estate Closings
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Client Satisfaction
About Brian O'Donnell
Personalized Attention.
Proven Results.
Brian O'Donnell is a dedicated attorney with over 24 years of experience providing effective legal solutions for individuals and businesses. He is committed to delivering personalized attention and achieving the best possible results for his clients.
Board Certified in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law and a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), Brian brings a depth of expertise to every matter he handles.
Board Certified & ACTEC Fellow
24+ Years of Legal Experience
Personalized Attention to Every Client
Hawaii State Bar
ACTEC Fellow
Board Certified
Estate Planning Council
Real Estate Section
Trust & Probate
Hawaii Bar Assoc.
Professional Excellence
Hawaii State Bar
ACTEC Fellow
Board Certified
Estate Planning Council
Real Estate Section
Trust & Probate
Hawaii Bar Assoc.
Professional Excellence
Our Background
Two Decades of Trusted Legal Practice
Brian O'Donnell is a dedicated attorney with over 24 years of experience providing effective legal solutions for individuals, businesses, and families across Hawaii and beyond. His practice is centered on real estate and property law, estate planning, trust and probate, business legal matters, contract review, and dispute resolution.
Board Certified in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law and a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), Brian has built a reputation for meticulous work, honest counsel, and results that stand the test of time.
What sets Brian apart is not only his technical skill but the care he brings to every client relationship. He takes the time to understand each client's situation, explains the legal landscape in plain language, and builds a strategy tailored to their goals.
Whether negotiating a commercial contract, guiding a family through estate planning, or resolving a property dispute, Brian brings the same disciplined approach: listen carefully, prepare thoroughly, and advocate effectively.
Brian's practice is rooted in the belief that good legal work begins with understanding people — not just their cases. He works directly with every client, providing the personalized attention that a firm of any size should deliver. He measures success by the outcomes his clients experience long after the matter is closed.
Over the course of his career, Brian has represented buyers, sellers, landlords, investors, families, and small businesses across a broad range of legal matters — from complex real estate transactions to sensitive estate and probate issues. His work has helped families protect what they've built, helped businesses manage risk with clarity, and helped clients move forward with confidence.
He is admitted to practice in Hawaii and maintains an active presence in the state's legal community through ongoing involvement in professional organizations and continuing legal education. His office is located at Pauahi Tower at Bishop Square in the heart of Honolulu's business district.
Practice Areas
Comprehensive Legal Services
Providing dedicated representation across real estate, estate planning, business, and dispute resolution.
Estate Planning, Trust & Probate
Board certified representation for wills, trusts, estates, and probate.
Business Legal Matters
Legal support for small businesses, entities, and commercial needs.
Contract & Agreement Review
Clear review and drafting of contracts to protect your interests.
Legal Consultation & Advisory
Clear legal counsel and strategic advice tailored to your situation.
Client Representation & Dispute Resolution
Advocacy and negotiation for legal disputes and conflicts.
In the Media
Brian O'Donnell in the Media
Selected interviews, features, and commentary on real estate law, estate planning, and legal trends.
Legal Times
March 2026
Estate Planning in a Changing Tax Landscape
Brian shares strategies for families navigating new estate tax thresholds and generational wealth transfer.
Hawaii Business
January 2024
Commercial Real Estate Trends in Honolulu
Featured commentary on the shifting commercial property market and what buyers should know before closing.
Pacific Law Review
November 2023
Trust Structures for Multi-Property Families
A deep dive into how modern trust structures protect family real estate holdings across generations.
Benchmarks Series
The Benchmarks Series
Our ongoing series covering the key standards and benchmarks clients should know when navigating real estate, estate, and business law.
01
Benchmarks in Real Estate Closings
What "standard" looks like in a residential or commercial closing — and where problems usually hide.
Part One02
Benchmarks in Estate Planning
The minimum protections every estate plan should include, regardless of asset size.
Part Two03
Benchmarks in Contract Review
Clauses to scrutinize and provisions to negotiate in commercial agreements.
Part Three04
Benchmarks in Trust Administration
Fiduciary standards, reporting requirements, and best practices for trustees.
Part Four05
Benchmarks in Business Formation
Choosing the right entity structure and the legal benchmarks that shape liability protection.
Part Five06
Benchmarks in Dispute Resolution
When to negotiate, when to mediate, and when litigation is the right benchmark.
Part SixRecognition
Credentials, Admissions & Recognition
Brian O'Donnell's professional background, bar admissions, and recognition in the legal community.
Education
Academic foundations and legal training.
- Texas Tech University School of Law, Juris Doctor, 1984
- David Lipscomb University, Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Languages, minor in Economics, 1981
- Honorary doctorates: St. John’s University School of Law; Pepperdine University; Trinity International University
Bar Admissions & Certification
Licensed to practice and certified in specialized areas.
- State Bar of Hawaii
- State Bar of California
- State Bar of Texas
- Board Certified Specialist — Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law
- Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC)
- Member, National Board of Trial Advocacy
- United States Supreme Court
- Southern Districts of Hawail; Eastern District of Arkansas; District of Colorado; Western District of Michigan; and Northern District of Oklahoma
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth Circuits
Awards & Recognition
Recognized by peers, clients, and professional organizations.
- Board Certified in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law
- Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA)
- Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC)
- 2027 Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Litigators in America
- Chambers USA: The only attorney in the nation to reach “Star Individual” status in both Product Liability: Plaintiffs and Litigation: Trial Lawyers, 2025-2026
- Daily Journal — California Lawyer of the Year (CLAY) Award, 2025
- Benchmark Litigation: Litigation Star and Top 100 Trial Lawyers, 2013–2023; Impact Case Award, 2024
- Texas Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), 2003–2026, including selection among the Top 10 attorneys in Hawail in multiple years
- Lawdragon: inducted into the Leading Lawyers Hall of Fame, Class of 2026; named to the Lawdragon 500 for multiple consecutive years, including the 2026 editions of the 500 Global Plaintiff Lawyers and the 500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers
- The National Trial Lawyers: Trial Lawyer of the Year (2015, 2017, 2018); Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame; Association President (2018)
- Clarence Darrow Award (2012) Texas Tech University School of Law Distinguished Alumnus (2005, 2015); Texas Tech University Distinguished Alumni Award (2016)
Client Testimonials
What Our Clients Say
★★★★★
"Brian handled our property closing with care and precision. He explained every step clearly."
Real Estate Client
★★★★★
"Professional, responsive, and thorough. I felt genuinely represented throughout the entire process."
Estate Planning Client
★★★★★
"Clear advice and real results. Brian took the time to understand our business needs."
Business Client
★★★★★
"I highly recommend Brian for any real estate matter. He is knowledgeable and truly cares."
Property Investor
★★★★★
"His expertise in estate planning saved my family from potential probate issues."
Estate Planning Client
★★★★★
"Excellent attorney! His dedication made a stressful situation much easier to handle."
Business Client
★★★★★
"Very transparent about fees and timelines. I always knew what to expect."
Real Estate Client
★★★★★
"Brian is a true professional. He handled our contract review quickly and efficiently."
Small Business Owner
★★★★★
"Brian handled our property closing with care and precision. He explained every step clearly."
Real Estate Client
★★★★★
"Professional, responsive, and thorough. I felt genuinely represented throughout the entire process."
Estate Planning Client
★★★★★
"Clear advice and real results. Brian took the time to understand our business needs."
Business Client
★★★★★
"I highly recommend Brian for any real estate matter. He is knowledgeable and truly cares."
Property Investor
★★★★★
"His expertise in estate planning saved my family from potential probate issues."
Estate Planning Client
★★★★★
"Excellent attorney! His dedication made a stressful situation much easier to handle."
Business Client
★★★★★
"Very transparent about fees and timelines. I always knew what to expect."
Real Estate Client
★★★★★
"Brian is a true professional. He handled our contract review quickly and efficiently."
Small Business Owner
Case Results
Notable Matters
Selected examples of outcomes achieved for clients. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Commercial Real Estate
Commercial Property Acquisition
Represented buyer in a $2M commercial property purchase, coordinating title review, due diligence, and closing.
Details: Brian conducted extensive title research dating back 30 years, negotiated with multiple lienholders, and ensured all zoning and environmental compliance requirements were met before finalizing the acquisition.
Title Dispute
Homeowner Title Dispute
Represented a homeowner facing a boundary and title claim affecting property rights and resale value.
Details: Successfully argued that the adverse possession claim was invalid due to a break in the chain of continuous possession. The court ruled in favor of our client, preserving their full ownership and property value.
Estate Planning
Comprehensive Estate Plan
Designed a trust and estate plan for a family with multiple properties and business interests.
Details: Created a revocable living trust, established LLC structures for property management, and implemented strategies to minimize estate taxes and avoid probate for the surviving spouse and children.
Business Legal
Contract Negotiation
Reviewed and renegotiated a commercial contract for a small business client, addressing risk exposure.
Details: Identified highly unfavorable indemnification clauses in the original agreement. Negotiated new terms that limited liability, protected intellectual property, and provided clear dispute resolution mechanisms.
Gallery
A Look Inside the Practice
Click on any image to view it fully and read more about it.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about working with our firm.
Requirements vary by state, but a lawyer can review contracts, examine title, and help protect your interests during a transaction. It's often the best way to catch issues before closing.
Board certification is a voluntary process through which an attorney demonstrates specialized knowledge and experience in a specific area of law. It requires meeting rigorous standards set by the certifying authority.
Fee structure depends on the type of matter. We discuss fees clearly during the initial consultation so you know what to expect before any work begins.
Yes. Brian O'Donnell Law represents individuals, families, and businesses across real estate, estate planning, contracts, and general legal matters.
Any relevant documents — contracts, deeds, correspondence, or court papers. If you're unsure, bring what you have; we can identify what's needed together.
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