Clarisse M. Kobashigawa

Clarisse Kobashigawa concentrates her practice on a broad range of civil litigation matters, including plaintiff’s personal injury, complex commercial and business disputes, real property and land use issues, and employment law. With over fifteen years of private practice experience, she has tried cases before juries in both Hawaii’s federal and state courts and has represented clients in alternative dispute resolution forums such as arbitration and mediation.

Clarisse has extensive experience handling personal injury and civil litigation matters involving 42 U.S.C. § 1983 civil rights violations, toxic torts, pharmaceutical litigation, catastrophic injuries, and wrongful death claims. She has successfully advocated for clients’ personal, economic, and business interests across multiple venues, including federal and state circuit courts, as well as in condominium and homeowners’ association disputes, council board proceedings, mediation, and arbitration.

Born and raised in Honolulu, Clarisse earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, and her Juris Doctor from Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota. While at Hamline, she received the CALI Award for Excellence in Commercial Law (Secured Transactions).

Outside of her legal practice, Clarisse enjoys spending time with family and friends and is dedicated to preserving and promoting Okinawan culture through her involvement with the Hawaii United Okinawan Association.