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John Y.U. Choi
About John
Biography
I graduated from the University of California at Irvine with the distinguished honor of "Order of Omega." After college, I taught at the Princeton Review where I was awarded "Teacher of the Year." After the Princeton Review, I attended the # 1 environmental law school in the United States, Vermont Law School. While there, I wrote for the Vermont Bar Journal and founded an Asian Pacific American Law Students Association chapter.
After graduation, I worked as a Deputy Attorney General for the State of Hawaii. While a government lawyer, I litigated hundreds of cases and had three cases that were appealed to the Hawaii Supreme Court. I won all three of my Hawaii Supreme Court cases. One Supreme Court case was published. That case highlighted the importance of the separation of powers doctrine arising from the three branches of government, the executive branch, the judicial branch, and the legislative branch. The foundation of the doctrine is based in our Constitution, as is your right to a jury trial.
I believe in jury trials.
When not litigating, I spending time with my wife and two children. We can be found at the beach or on the golf course. On Sundays, we are at church. My sense of family commitment comes from my parents who taught me and my two sisters the meaning of excellence and dedication. My dad is a retired engineer/entrepreneur and my mom is a retired pharmacist. My older sister is a surgeon in Santa Barbara. My younger sister is an entrepreneur in San Francisco. Typical overachieving Asian-American family? I'd like to think that we are not. We love to play as much as we work. Playing frees the mind to be creative at work. Ocean related activities and golfing are my family's playtime.
With support from my family, I am honored to give back to the community. I served as a chapter president for the Hawaii Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Christian Legal Society of Hawaii. I am a member at the Beneficial Protective Order of the Elks, Lodge 616. I currently serves as a Board Member for the Hawaii Association for Justice and the Christian Legal Society.
I continue to learn. After law school, I graduated from the nationally acclaimed Gerry Spence Trial Lawyer's College at Thunderhead Ranch in Dubois, Wyoming. The uniform that I wear is of made of Honor and Courage. My badge that reads, "Never give up." I will fight for you. My motto for 2023 is, "Stay humble, stay alert."
There is no JUSTICE . . . there is only JUST US.
I decendent from a long line of warriors. A United States Citizen of Korean ancestry, my forefathers served in the United States Military and the Republic of Korea (South Korea) Military. Why is that relevant? Being a trial lawyer means battling the multi-billion dollar insurance industry and their hired henchmen. Insurance companies are as ruthless as the corporate law firms they hire to spin and covering up the evidence. I have cracked the top insurance firms in Hawaii and the United States by exposing their misdeeds in open court. In high stakes ligitation, insurance companies often hire "mainland" counsel to delay, deny, and defend. Not a problem, I have slayed the best of these corporate scoundrels. A jury awarded my client $5,400, against Farmers Insurance. Keep tuned in, more to come.
Text me at eight zero eight two five eight four nine eight five. Texting will get my attention, please mention AVVO website. JOHN CHOI, ATTORNEY AT LAW
Practice Areas
1
Practice Area
Fees and Rates
Cost
Contingency
25%-45%
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Hawaii for 26 years
State: Hawaii
Acquired: 1999
No misconduct found
Location
Hawaii Accident Law Center
3142 George Street, Suite 2390, Honolulu, HI, 96815
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John Y.U. Choi's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 14 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Aloha | August 26, 2025 | Consulted Attorney
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Looks good
I hired a prominent firm for my car accident they pressured me that they would never be another settlement higher than what they found and I better take it before it’s too late. It didn’t cover all my medical bills and only enough to replace my car. Lifetime injury and after that I found myself homel...
Posted by anonymous | January 18, 2022 | Consulted Attorney
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Highly recommended lawyer
I would recommend John to anyone who has suffered a severe and permanent injury. We immediately connected because I am a doctor. John’s sister is also a doctor. He was great with communicating with me about my case. I was talking with the insurance company about my injuries. They refused to offer any...
Posted by anonymous | March 26, 2018 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Grateful for Mr Choi's help with my car accident- The best lawyer and firm!
I suffered serious injuries from my collision. John helped me battle the insurance company. He was fast, friendly, and professional. I am so glad that I hired John and his firm. He gave me great advice during the settlement negotiations. I am extremely pleased with the results. I recommend him to a...
Posted by anonymous | November 11, 2016 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Moped accident
I was hit by a rental car driven by a tourist while riding my moped to work. I suffered a severe injury that require my staying in the hospital for about a week. The insurance company kept trying to delay my case, and John encouraged me to stick with it. We ended up resolving the matter for much mor...
John Choi
Replied last February 7, 2017The case was resolved for $375,000. It was a long bare knuckle brawl from the beginning as the insurance company kept delaying, denying and defending.
Posted by Tuyet Vo | October 23, 2015 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Pain in the Okole
My husband got in a terrible collision on his moped. He had severe nerve damage and trauma to his okole. The insurance company for the liable driver was playing all sorts of games. They only offered $55,000 to settle my case. John told my husband that is not fair for the type of injury he suffered. L...
John Choi
Replied last February 7, 2017My practice is to treat my clients like my family. I did what I would do for any member of my family, share a conversation over a meal. Like all good men, I fight for my family.
John Y.U. Choi's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse John. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"I am happy to endorse John. He is energetic, creative, compassionate, and driven."
"It is my pleasure to endorse John Choi as a personal injury lawyer in Honolulu. He is a great person and he is extremely capable, thoughtful and intelligent. He is experienced at trial work and he is active in the plaintiffs' bar. I proudly endorse John Choi."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I had the pleasure of working with John at Trial Lawyers College. John is smart, creative and truly cares about his clients. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse John Choi. I had the pleasure of meeting John at Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyer's College. He impressed me with his open demeanor and his ability to persuade a group of complete strangers. A lot of people graduate from law school, but few have the genuine charisma that is needed to negotiate high dollar settlements and persuade juries. John is naturally gifted at story-telling and this is what makes him unique among lawyers across the nation. Hire John, you won't be sorry!"
"John is one of the most personable and engaging lawyers that I have ever been around. He is articulate,dedicated and passionate. I have no doubt that any case that he takes on will get his all. Any injured person would be fortunate to have him on their side."
"I had the pleasure of meeting and working with John at the Spence Trial Lawyer's College in Dubois, Wyoming, where we attended for three weeks in July of 2011. John is an incredibly talented trial lawyer with tremendous skill in the courtroom."
"I recommend John highly. He's an intelligent and aggressive attorney, who's impressed me greatly. He goes above and beyond for his clients, and achieves excellent results."
"After having the opportunity to work, brainstorm legal issues, and interact with John for a month, I can confidently endorse him as an attorney of the highest caliber. Some lawyers just stand out in their chosen field. John is one of those lawyers."
"I also met John at the July, 2011 Trial Lawyers College. He was a bright light in the college, demonstrating eagerness to work and learn, a strong and caring character, and dedication to his clients. I feel confident his clients are well-served by his efforts and would recommend him without reservation."
"John has as much energy as an atomic bomb, and when he sets himself off in the courtroom, he can destroy the opposition. John is fearless in putting himself on the line in his client's cause. I've seen John in action. He has great communication skills, which enable him to properly select and persuade a jury. I endorse John as a top notch personal injury lawyer, without hesitation."
"I endorse this lawyer. He is intelligent, experienced and committed to his clients. John is honest, a real person who will work hard to understand what is going on in his client's life. He connects with his clients on a personal level. His communication skills are outstanding."
"I had the privilege of working with John at Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyer's College in Dubois, Wyoming this past summer. John's trial skills are exceptional and his dedication to his clients was very clear to me. Combined with John's compassion and sincerity--he is a trial lawyer second to none. I highly recommend John for any litigation work in Honolulu."
"I had the opportunity to meet Attorney John Choi while at Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyers College. I was consistently impressed with John's compassion and dedication towards his clients. John has also trained with the absolute best trial lawyer in America. I have no hesitation recommending John to anyone injured in Hawaii."
"John is a determined, experienced attorney who cares about his clients and their cases. I have no hesitation recommending him to people seeking an injury attorney."
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Experience
Honors
N/A
Order of Omega, University California at Irvine
N/A
Teacher of the Year, Princeton Review
Work Experience
2005 - Present
President, Hawaii Accident Law Center, Inc.
2005 - 2007
Lead attorney, The Law Offices of John Y.U. Choi
2003 - 2005
Associate Attorney, Oliver Lau Lawhn Ogawa
2000 - 2003
Deputy Attorney General, Attorney General-State of Hawaii
1999 - 2000
Staff Attorney, Hawaii State Legislature
1998 - 1999
Sales Associate, Schuman Carriage, Honolulu
1995 - 1998
President, The Kind Restaurant Management Co.
1994 - 1995
Ski Instructor, Mount Ascutney Ski Resort (Law School)
1993 - 1994
Clerk, Barrister's Bookshop (Law School)
1991 - 1992
Instructor, Princeton Review (College)
1989 - 1991
Sushi Chef, Wiki Wiki Teriyaki (College)
1988 - 1989
Sales Associate, Brookstone (College)
1987 - 1988
Window Washer, UCI (College)
1983 - 1985
Clerk, Manhattan Beach Laudrette (High School)
1982 - 1983
Paper boy, South Bay Easy Reader (Junior High School)
1982 - 1983
Pizza Maker, Zeppy's Pizza (Junior High School)
Associations
2009 - Present
Hawaii Association for JusticeVice President and Board Member
Christian Legal Society
Past President
West Honolulu Rotary Club
Member
2015 - 2016
AYSOCoach
Hawaii Jaycees
Past Chapter President
Sample of Legal Cases
$2.5 Million -Maui Head on Collision
$2.5 Million
$1.6 million H1 Freeway Collision
$1.6 Million
$450,000 Motorcycle Accident
Winner - Motorcycle Accident
I was hit in the crosswalk
Winner-Pedestrian hit in crosswalk.
In re Doe, 101 Haw. 220 (2003)
Winner. The lower court order against my client was over turned by the Hawaii Supreme Court.
Education
N/A
Vermont Law School
JD/MSEL - Joint Degree
N/A
University of California - Irvine
BA - Bachelor of Arts
N/A
Trial Lawyers College
Speaking Engagements
2013
Litigating the Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claim
Litigating the Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claim
Publications
2013
National Business Institute
Litigating the Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claim
Languages
Korean
Spanish