Michelle M. Shin joined the firm in 1998 and practices in the areas of business and commercial law, real estate, employment, intellectual property, and immigration.

Examples of her work include:

Business and Commercial Law: Advised clients regarding choice of business entities; assisted clients with forming and dissolving various types of Hawaii business entities; drafted documents and coordinated closings for the purchase and sale of large and small businesses; advised clients and prepared documents to create and terminate security interests; drafted various commercial contracts.

Real Estate Law: Assisted clients with the purchase and sale of both commercial and residential real estate; prepared various conveyancing-related documents,  including deeds, mortgages, assignment of leases, Land Court petitions, grants of easements, and encroachment agreements; advised clients regarding title issues; assisted clients with probate proceedings to transfer real property; advised and assisted clients with subdivision and consolidation of real property; and reviewed and drafted leases.

Employment Law: Worked on wage and hour law and employment discrimination cases; drafted employment handbooks; presented seminars on employment law issues, such as workplace privacy; drafted employment agreements and independent contractor agreements; drafted noncompetition agreements;  advised clients regarding plant closure laws; and advised clients      regarding general human resources matters, such as hiring and termination procedures, employment benefits, and workplace investigations.

Intellectual Property Law: Advised clients regarding intellectual property protection; drafted various intellectual property-related contracts, such as assignments, licensing agreements, and publishing agreements; assisted clients with State and Federal trademark and copyright registrations; drafted various        intellectual property-related contracts, such as publishing agreements and music licenses; and represented clients in infringement and cybersquatting cases.

Immigration Law: Assisted clients to change their status and obtain business  visas, such as E-2 treat investor and L-1 intracompany transferee visas.

Ms. Shin received her B.A. in Sociology from the University of California at Santa Cruz, and graduated with Honors. Before entering law school, Ms. Shin interned with the Santa Cruz District Attorney’s Office and the Consumer Protection Office of the San Francisco District Attorneys’ Office, and provided volunteer services for the East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation and Project Open Hand. Ms. Shin attended Hastings College of the Law where she served as Internet Editor of the Hastings Communications and Entertainment Law Journal.  During law school, Ms. Shin also volunteered with the Asian Law Caucus Employment Law Clinic, represented clients through the Hastings Civil Justice Clinic, and externed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.  

Professional & Community Affiliations

Hawaii State Bar Association, (Business Law Section, Secretary 2006 and Vice-Chair 2007; Real Property and Financial Services Section, Director and Secretary 2008)

American Bar Association, Member

Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)

Make-A-Wish of Hawaii, Director (2001 to 2008) and Secretary (2003 to 2008)

Waikiki Yacht Club, Member