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J. Porter DeVries

Real estate Attorney at Honolulu, HI

4.4   13 reviews

also known as Porter DeVries

  • State Years
    Hawaii - HI 10 years
    New York - NY 10 years
  • Licensed for 10 years
    State HI
    Acquired 2013
    Status
    Active No misconduct found
  • Licensed for 10 years
    State NY
    Acquired 2013
    Status
    Currently Registered No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

About J. Porter

Learn J. Porter’s areas of practice.

4
Practice areas
  1. Real estate
    40%
    Residential transactions, easements, encroachments, conveyances, quiet title, and litigation/dispute resolution. +Condominium and HOA Law

  2. Probate
    30%
    We help mainland heirs transfer Hawaii real estate.

  3. Litigation
    20%
    Civil litigation arising from real estate or business disputes.

  4. Business
    10%
    We protect business owners from bad deals and messy disputes.

J. Porter DeVries began his career at the Wall Street firm of Segal Gebski, where he represented clients encountering construction, business, real estate, and international disputes. 

With Condominium and Community Association clients, Porter focuses on enabling Boards of Directors to establish and maintain the highest standards of good governance.  Underscoring the firm’s proactive approach, he leads DeVries’ preventative counseling and strategic planning services, as well as ensuring that Boards are legally protected in disputes and thrive in the myriad aspects of governing Hawaii’s diverse associations.

Leading the firm’s Real Estate and Commercial Litigation sector, Porter routinely handles commercial lease disputes, real property disputes, partnership disputes, title disputes, construction defect litigation, condominium association and planned community association disputes, sale and acquisition disputes, and other related commercial and business disputes. 

Mr. DeVries co-founded DeVries & Associates to serve the unique needs of boards and clients in keeping pace with the demands and changes in community association governance. His practice focuses on condominium and community association law; as well as commercial and real estate litigation.

Porter is a member of the West Hawaii Bar Association, Hawaii State Bar Association, American Bar Association, and the New York State Bar Association. Porter is an active member of Hawaii Community Association Institute. He serves on the Board of Directors for Pacific Jet, Inc., Kuleana Education, Inc., and Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce.

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Similar lawyers nearby

DeVries & Associates P.C.
1164 BISHOP ST STE 1555
Honolulu, HI, 96813
DeVries & Associates, P.C.
75-5591 Palani Rd STE 2001
Kailua Kona, HI, 96740
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Reviews

4.4 / 5.0
  13 customer reviews
5 Star
 
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15%
Posted by Bruce | November 8, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Condo Law Experts!
Our association is quite large. Our condominium consists of 134 units. Based on our size, we have experienced every kind of problem an association can experience. While we have dealt with many Honolulu law firms during my tenure as a Board Member, we have chosen Big Island-based DeVries and Associates as our general counsel. We wanted an attorney and law firm that tries to resolves problems first rather than rush to litigation. We wanted a law firm that returns calls right away. We wanted a law firm that does not just practice law, but also looks out for what is in the best interests of our residents and community. Those are the qualities that we found in DeVries and Associates attorneys and staff.
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Posted by Karen | August 4, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Excellent Law Firm!
DeVries & Associates represents my condo association. Very knowledgable attorneys and incredibly pleasant staff. They return phone calls same or next day. Mainland style (i.e. professional) law firm with aloha. Highly recommend them!
Posted by C.P. | November 8, 2015
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Professionalism & Expertise!
For a maritime business owner like myself, litigation is a distraction, a headache, and a great source of anxiety. My general counsel attorneys at DeVries & Associates stay on top of my business. We have monthly "check in calls," where they dive into what my current issues are and how we can solve them effectively and proactively. With D & A on my side, I am well defended, well protected, and I know that I will always have a zealous advocate for my interests. D & A is an invaluable and indispensable part of my team.
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Posted by Stephanie | January 14, 2015
Expertise Meets Down to Earth Practical Advice
J. Porter is a one of a kind resource in your business and I would highly recommend those seeking Guidance for their business, whether it be contracts or the type of business' to set up he is your go-to-source!
Posted by Bradley | December 31, 2014
Porter is an attorney with character.
I have known Porter since the beginning of 2014 when he joined the BNI group called Ali'i Networkers in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. Porter has been a reliable and valuable member of BNI and many of the members have offered testimonials of his character, knowledge and work ethic. He has assisted me with a few legal questions either by knowing the answer himself or referring me to other legal resources. Every time he exceeded my expectations with his professionalism, timeliness and knowledge. I can confidently recommend Porter to any person or company needing his services. With Warm Aloha, Bradley Tropical Lighting Connection, LLC
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Posted by Alexandra | November 21, 2014
Great Business Insight
I asked Porter to be a legal consultant for my growing business because I'm thinking of franchising my business and/or having investors. Porter took the time to learn completely about my business and advised me how to minimize risk. I felt confident that I was getting great advice and I appreciated the suggestions on other ways to view my business. I'm confident in the advice I received and I highly recommend Porter DeVries highly.
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Posted by Troy | November 20, 2014
Fellow BNIer Review
I have yet to use Porter as an attorney but have spent time with him as an individual. He is an outstanding person and very knowledgeable. All persons and businesses I have spoken to who have worked with him for their legal needs have had nothing but good experiences and good things to say about him. He is involved in volunteer organizations that support the community. Porter is very friendly as well and will help you with advice off the clock.
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Posted by Joy | November 19, 2014
DeVries Law Partners go Above and Beyong
I have considered consulting an attorney regarding a land boundary issue for several years, but the thought of talking to a lawyer was very daunting for me. When I met Porter, I knew he was the right person for me to talk to. He met with me, had resources for me and educated me in a humble yet intensely knowledgable way which impressed me and inspired me to be proactive about my concerns. I am no afraid to ask legal questions because of his kindness, compassion and professionalism. Thank you, Porter!!!!!
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Posted by Laura | November 19, 2014
Contract review
Porter did an excellent job in reviewing contracts, some for me, some for some of my clients. I would highly recomment him and can attest to his integrity and his knowledge.
Posted by Marie-anne | November 19, 2014
in my corner
I am an educated business professional, but when it comes to legal matters, I find it important to have someone in my corner that is well versed in business law and can explain it all to me clearly in plain English. I have found J. Porter to be caring, taking pride in his work and also very attentive to details.
Posted by Erick | November 19, 2014
A lawyer you want to know!
From the first time I've done business with Porter I could tell he was different, in a great way. He has helped me on may different things from contracts to starting a non profit. He kept me in the loop through the process of every task given.
Posted by anonymous | October 15, 2023
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Extremely poor service
I hired Porter DeVries to negotiate with an insurance company and recover my losses from incompetent property managers. He never called the insurance company or wrote a letter to advocate for a fair reimbursement for my losses. After more than 2 years my losses were greater than when he was hired due to excessive legal fees and delays caused by revolving associate attorneys. I was never advised when the attorney working on my case suddenly disappeared and a different attorney unfamiliar with the case was assigned.
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Posted by Gabrielle | July 23, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
High Price to Pay for Injustice!
I hired J. Porter DeVries after doing my diligence to find the right attorney to represent me in my case. We agreed on the approach and strategy up front and I felt good with his confidence in being able to help me. So I paid him $21,000 of his very expensive $25,000 retainer that he required up front, and then he completely failed to honor our agreement and follow our strategy. Instead of advocating for my best interests as he was hired to do, he withdrew his representation without fair warning when I needed him the most through this process. His withdrawal caused me a serious injustice and completely compromised my case at a crucial time that he agreed would be his responsibility. I may not be able to recover from his actions and I am so devastated with this injustice when he seemed to be the right attorney to wrap this case up for me. After paying a whopping $21,000, he only contributed a minimal effort worth about $5000 based on his rates. After this very negative outcome, I asked him to refund me the majority of the retainer or to perform the work as we had agreed, but he refused to do either and he proceeded to withdraw from the case. I really needed that money back to try and find another lawyer and I'm not sure what to do now. I cannot believe this turned out to be so negative when he was so confident he could help me before taking my money. J. Porter DeVries does not appear to be who he claims, he talks a good story up front but then doesn't follow through on the agreement. If you are looking for justice in our legal system, I would find someone else to represent you.
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Response from J. Porter DeVries August 4, 2016
We have very high standards for client service, as our many very happy clients and referrals would demonstrate. But sometimes a great law firm and a good person just aren’t a good fit, as in this case, it would seem. We are disappointed our relationship with this client had to be terminated by us and have no hard feelings. For the benefit of anyone who reads this, please know we did everything we reasonably believed we could to satisfy this client, gave her several warnings that we were going to have to withdraw from her case if certain conditions were not met and if certain behaviors toward our staff did not change, and we went to lengths which impressed the court enough to grant our request to be released from the representation. As of the date of this response this client still has outstanding obligations to this law firm.
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Resume

AVVO RATING 6.5 (Good)

Work Experience

  • President & Managing Attorney
  • DeVries & Associates
  • 2013 - Present
  • Attorney
  • Segal Gebski
  • 2012 - 2013
  • Legal Advisor
  • United Nations
  • 2011 - 2012

Education

  • Pace University School of Law
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 2012
  • Pennsylvania State University
  • BA - Bachelor of Arts
  • 2009
  • Beijing Foreign Studies University
  • Certificate
  • 2008

Legal Cases

  • Simons v. Brown
  • Settled Favorably

Associations

  • Kona Kohala Chamber of Commerce
  • Chairman
  • 2017 - Present
  • Community Association Institute
  • Member
  • 2014 - Present
  • Hawaii State Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2013 - Present
  • West Hawaii Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2013 - Present
  • New York State Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2011 - Present
  • Phi Alpha Delta
  • 2010 - Present
  • American Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2010 - Present
  • Phi Beta Kappa
  • 2008 - Present
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • English
  • Polish

Honors and Awards

  • Phi Beta Kappa
  • Phi Beta Kappa Society
  • 2009

Publications

Speaking Engagements

  • Condo & HOA Law
  • Community Association Governance
  • 2015

Attorney endorsements

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Given (0)
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Honolulu Real estate Lawyer J. Porter DeVries
J. Porter DeVries
Real estate Attorney
Honolulu, HI
Licensed for 10 years