Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
4.8 /5.0
9 Client Reviews
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William A. Harrison
also known as Bill
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About William
Biography
For over 40years I have provided legal representation for many types of criminal law matters. I have protected the rights and future interests of our clients who have been charged with offenses including, but not limited to, drug crimes, crimes of violence, sex crimes, and murder.
Do not let our location fool you. The fact that our firm is located in Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, may appear as though our clients are only Oahu residents. That is not the case at all. Our firm serves clients throughout the trial courts of the State of Hawai'i (Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, Lanai, Molokai). In addition, we represent clients in all federal, military, and appellate courts. Our attorneys are licensed to practice law in Hawaii, New Jersey, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. We have also appeared in court on matters for clients in California, Colorado, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, and Washington D.C.
There is never any case too big or too small. Each and every case impacts our clients so we treat each matter as important as any other.
When you need the best!
Practice Areas
2
Practice Areas
Criminal Defense
75%
Personal Injury
25%
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
Licenses
Licensed in Hawaii for 44 years
State: Hawaii
Acquired: 1981
No misconduct found
Licensed in New Jersey for 43 years
State: New Jersey
Acquired: 1982
No misconduct found
Location
Harrison Law Center, A Law Corporation
(808) 538-7579
Fax
(808) 219-0715
Mobile
1001 Bishop Street, Suite 2828, Honolulu, HI, 96813
harrisonlawcenter.comGallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find William online.
William A. Harrison's Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | Responsiveness
Posted by anonymous | May 14, 2019 | Criminal Defense
Pending Criminal felony charge in Hawaii District Court
Personally called me to discuss my case and the type of criminal defense his firm can provide including a balanced, well thought out perspective to the options and rights I have in this felony iindictment and trial strategies.
Posted by S | December 21, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Bill is one of the 3 wise men
Where do I begin...William A Harrison is not only an excellent defense attorney but most importantly he’s a true humanist. Hes been by my side frm the beginning...pre-trial, voire dire process, trial, conviction, incarceration, 2 appeals n YES eventually overturned by the Hawaii Supreme Court! Mr. Ha...
Posted by anonymous | February 16, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Highly recommended
Bill is certainly in the top tier of Hawaii's defense lawyers, and his fees are quite reasonable compared with those of his more arrogant and media-hungry colleagues. I was facing a pretty serious federal charge, and he negotiated a plea agreement that resulted in a very light sentence. The prosecuto...
Posted by anonymous | September 30, 2015 | Criminal Defense
pay him by the hour
Bill Harrison is probably a good attorney if you hire and pay him by the hour. I paid him a flat rate retainer, and it was a complete disaster. There's no doubt Bill is an extremely smart guy and very very experienced. He's also very charismatic. But if you have limited funds, and a complex case, you...
William Harrison
Replied last September 30, 2015First I would note that this client indicates that I am "extremely smart ... very, very experienced ... also very charismatic." He then goes on to complain that I did not fight hard for him and did not fulfill his expectations. This complaint is totally unfounded. Unfortunately, this client's expectations were very unrealistic. The client hired me after committing the same federal crime a SECOND time. The client was incarcerated by the court for committing the first offense. When he hired me it was explained to him, on several occasions, that the expectation of receiving straight probation after committing the same offense, a second time, was clearly improbable. Additionally, he wanted the return of some property, which was confiscated as a result of the crime. Property the government asserted, was purchased with the profits of his crime. I tried my best to satisfy his wishes, however, after the court sentenced him to pay restitution for his crime, the government refused to return the property. Instead the government used the property to offset restitution due and owing. Even though he did not like the sentence he received, under the circumstances of the offense, his sentence (which was the SAME as his first sentence) represented an extremely positive outcome. Any experienced practitioner would agree that it is extremely difficult to get a court to sentence someone to less than what he received for the first offense. Indeed courts will generally punish an individual more severely for his second offense. That did not happen in this case. Moreover, what the client failed to mention is that I stretched his case out over several years, which allowed him to open a lucrative business venture and profit from that venture, before being sentenced. Finally, as a testament to my commitment and dedication to my clients, I was recently awarded the Federal Defender's "Extra Mile Award" which is given to the attorney that "goes the extra mile" through his dedication and efforts on behalf of his Federal Clients. That award defies this client’s claims.
William A. Harrison's Lawyer Endorsements
"Excellent criminal defense attorney. I recommend Mr. Harrison highly and without reservation."
"I endorse Bill Harrison heartily. Bill is one of the heavyweights in Hawaii criminal defense. Well liked by attorneys, Judges, and (perhaps most importantly) court staff. This enables him to get things done for clients that otherwise might not be able to get done. Bill is enormously well respected in the criminal defense community. I have practiced law in Honolulu for almost 30 years, and I regularly entrust my clients to Bill when need criminal defense assistance or advice. When an attorney entrusts his clients to another attorney, that is high praise, believe me."
No Endorsement Data Available Yet
This attorney hasn't created any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.
Experience
Honors
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Best Lawyer - Criminal Defense, Honolulu Magazine
2024
Best Lawyer - White Collar Criminal defense, Honolulu Magazine
2024
Best Lawyer - Criminal Defense, Best Lawyers
2024
Best Lawyer - White Collar Criminal Defense, Best Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Best Lawyer - White Collar Criminal defense, Honolulu Magazine
2023
Best Lawyer - Criminal Defense, Honolulu Magazine
2023
Best Lawyer - Criminal Defense, Best Lawyers
2022
Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Best Lawyers of America, Best Lawyers of America
2020
Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America
2019
Best Lawyer - Criminal Defense and White Collar Criminal defense, Honolulu Magazine
2018
Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2018
Best Lawyer - Criminal Defense and White Collar Criminal defense, Honolulu Magazine
2017
Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America
2017
Super Lawyer, Hawaii Super Lawyer
2017
Best Lawyer - Criminal Defense and White Collar Criminal defense, Honolulu Magazine
2016
AV Client Review 5.0 of of 5.0, Martindale-Hubbell
2016
Lawyer of the Year -White Collar Crime, Honolulu Magazine
2016
Super Lawyer, Hawaii Super Lawyer
2016
Best Lawyers, Honolulu Magazine
2015
Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America
2015
Super Lawyer, Hawaii Super Lawyer
2015
Lawyer of the Year -General Criminal Defense, Honolulu Magazine
2014
Super Lawyer, Hawaii Super Lawyer
2014
Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America
2013
Super Lawyer, Hawaii Super Lawyer
2013
Listed, Best Lawyers in America
2013
Who's Who in American Law, Who's Who In American Law
2012
Best Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America
2012
Best Lawyers, Honolulu Magazine
2012
Who's Who in American Law, Who's Who In American Law
2012
Super Lawyer, Hawaii Super Lawyer
2011
Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers
2011
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2011
Super Lawyer, Hawaii Super Lawyer
2011
Best Lawyers, Honolulu Magazine
2011
Who's Who in American Law, Who's Who In American Law
2010
Super Lawyer, Hawaii Super Lawyer
2010
Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers
2010
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2010
Best Lawyers, Honolulu Magazine
2010
Who's Who in American Law, Who's Who In American Law
2009
Super Lawyer, Hawaii Super Lawyer
2009
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2009
Who's Who in American Law, Who's Who In American Law
2009
Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers
2009
Best Lawyers, Honolulu Magazine
2008
Super Lawyer, Hawaii Super Lawyer
N/A
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Work Experience
2024 - Present
Founder/President, Harrison Law Center, A law Corporation
2005 - Present
Lecturer & Volunteer Attorney, William S. Richardson School of Law
1982 - 2024
Partner, Harrison & Matsuoka
1981 - 1982
Associate, Rolhfing, Robertson & Smith
Associations
2000 - Present
American Inns of Court IV, HawaiiBencher
1981 - Present
Hawaii State Bar AssociationMember
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Lifetime Member
Association of Trial Lawyers of America
Member
Hawaii Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Member
American Society of Law, Medicine and Ethics
Member
1994 - 1995
Judicial Selection Commission, State of HawaiiChair
1989 - 1990
Association of Plaintiffs Lawyers of HawaiiBoard of Governors
1982 - 2020
New Jersey State Bar AssociationMember
Sample of Legal Cases
State of Hawai’i v. Joel H. White, 141 Hawai’i 502 (2018)
The Appellate court agreed with the defense that the defendant deserved a new trial.
State of Hawaii v. Stan’s Contracting, 111 Hawai‘i 17, 31, 137 P.3d 331, 345 (2006)
The Hawai'i Supreme Court agreed with the defense and the trial court and affirmed the dismissal of the charges.
State of Hawai’i v. Susan Chin, 135 Hawai’i 437, 353 P.3d 979 (2015)
Case reversed on juror misconduct and failure of court to conduct hearing on the issue.
State of Hawai’i v. Ramos-Saunders, 135 Hawai’i 299, 349 P.3d 406 (2015)
The Appeals court agreed with the defense and the trial court and affirmed the dismissal.
United States v. Aikins, 946 F.2d 608 (1990)
The Court of Appeals overturned the conviction noting that the jury was invalidly selected, requiring a new trial for defendants.
Sample Appellate Cases
Education
1981
William S. Richardson School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1981
University of Hawaii
MA - Masters
1977
University of Hawaii
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2016
Hawai'i Innocence Project
Eyewitness Identification Issues
2015
Annual Talk to Graduate Division of U.H. Library Studies
Patriot Act and its Effect on Privacy Rights of Librarians and Library Users
Publications
1993
National Business Institute, Inc. ["NBI"]
Arbitrating & Trying the Automobile Case in Hawai'i
1992
National Business Institute, Inc. ["NBI"]
Criminal Defense Litigation in Hawai'i
1991
National Business Institute, Inc. ["NBI"]
Trying the Automobile Injury case in Hawai'i
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides