Careers@hawaiilawyer.com®


November 2007 update: our Summer Associate hiring recruiting process is complete, and we are no longer accepting applications for Summer Associates for the summer of 2008.

Why Damon Key?

We may not offer a "million bucks" like many mainland law firms now seem to, but we offer something different - something we believe is measured by much more than the money chase and the bottom line: a highly competitive salary, a challenging yet collegial work environment, a practice that covers the entire spectrum of civil law tailored to your desires, quick responsibility and client contact, the ability to develop your own practice and manage your own career, a realistic chance to become a partner, and, of course, practicing and living in one of the most beautiful and unique places on earth.

We seek well-rounded law students and lateral hires who are interested in practicing law in this type of environment.  If this sounds like something that appeals to you, read on.

Frequently Asked Questions

For answers to frequently asked questions about recruiting and careers and Damon Key, go here.

Our History

C.F. Damon, Jr. formed a law partnership in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1963 which has become Damon Key Leong Kupchak Hastert.  We are one of Hawaii's oldest law firms, and our traditions of professional and personal legal services have been a constant for over 40 years.  At the same time, we strive to keep on the cutting edge of the law and technology. The Firm's Summer Associate program, although not large, has also been in place for years, and is our most favored source for the Firm's Associates.  Many of our Directors began their legal careers as Summer Associates. On our fortieth anniversary, the Honolulu Star-Bulletin ran a profile of our attorneys and our history.

Our Experience

There is no "typical" Damon Key attorney, and we are difficult to categorize.  A review of our backgrounds reveals we are attorneys with varied origins and education, who have graduated from law schools with national reputations for excellence.

The firm's Attorneys and Summer Associates have earned their law degrees from:

Arizona State College of the Law, University of California at Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall), University of California Davis (King Hall), University of California Hastings College of the Law, Cleveland-Marshall School of Law, University of Colorado School of Law, Columbia Law School, Cornell Law School, DePaul University School of Law, George Washington University School of Law, Harvard Law School, University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law, New York University School of Law, John Marshall Law School, University of Nebraska School of Law, University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law, University of Pennsylvania School of Law, San Francisco Law School, St. John's University School of Law, Southern Methodist University School of Law, Stanford Law School, and William & Mary Marshall Wythe School of Law.

What we look for

We seek law students, recent graduates, and experienced attorneys with a broad range of experiences, interests, education, and backgrounds for our Summer Law Student Associate program, and as lateral hires.  

Summer Associates:  We consider academic credentials, character, attitude, energy, non-academic interests, community service, diversity, and desire.

Of course, within these categories we consider law school grades, course work, success in the student's studies, and prior non-legal work experiences. 

The Summer Associate program is for those students who will have completed two years of law school at the start of the summer. 

Of course, it is also important whether a candidate intends to live in Honolulu, Hawaii permanently.  The Summer Associates are in residence in Honolulu for approximately 10 weeks during the summer, and if made offers to join the firm, must sit for the Hawaii bar examination in the July following law school graduation.   

Laterals:  In addition to the above criteria, lateral hires should already be members of the Hawaii Bar, or registered to sit for the next Hawaii Bar Exam, and positions are filled to meet current or anticipated needs in the Practice Groups.

Summer Associate Program

Our Summer Associate program is the major source of the Firm's Associates.  We believe the Program has facilitated the integration of new Associates into the Firm and has provided advanced training in the practice of law which they can take back to their law schools in their final year of study.  Details here.
 

Coming to a campus near you

We participate in On-Campus Interviewing at the University of Hawaii and a number of law schools in California, with an emphasis on the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles.

November 2007 update: our Summer Associate hiring recruiting process is complete, and we are no longer accepting applications for Summer Associates for the summer of 2008.

University of Hawaii School of Law:  Our OCI date at U.H. was September 4, 2007.

California law schools: Our 2007 2L recruting season has completed. Please revisit this page in in the fall of 2008, or apply as a 3L/Lateral. 008 Summer Associate positions in our Honolulu office.

Law students attending other schools:  During the fall recruiting season, we also invite direct applications from law students seeking positions as Summer Associates from other law schools around the country who are interested in a legal career in private practice in Hawaii.  Apply directly by e-mailing your resume and a cover letter to Robert H. Thomas.

Laterals and 3L's

The focus of our recruiting efforts is the Summer Associate program (for law students between their second and third years of law school), but we are also interested in receiving applications for Associate positions from 3L's and practicing attorneys to fill specific slots in our Practice Groups.

If you are not already a member of the Hawaii Bar, you should be registered to sit for the next scheduled bar examination in Honolulu prior to applying with us.

The application and interview process for 3L's and laterals is case-by-case, depending upon our current staffing needs.  Contact us by e-mail or letter with the following information to begin the process:

  • your resume or C.V.

  • A cover letter explaining your practice, and your interests and background; please include specifics on which of our Practice Groups you are interested in.  Also, please confirm that you are a member of the Hawaii Bar, or are registered to sit for the next scheduled Hawaii Bar Examination.

  • A list of professional references.

  • 3Ls and recent graduates - a transcript of law school grad

If your qualifications are what we are looking for to fill a specific need within one or more of our Practice Groups, we will schedule an interview.  Please note that interviews will be held in our Honolulu office, or with our Northern California recruiter in San Francisco.

Contact Us

We welcome your questions.  If this page or the Recruiting FAQ does not answer your question, please contact Robert H. Thomas.

 
 
Attorneys at Law · A Law Corporation
1600 Pauahi Tower · 1003 Bishop Street · Honolulu · Hawaii · 96813
Telephone 808 · 531 · 8031
Facsimile 808 · 533 · 2242
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