Lung Rose Voss & Wagnild

Exemplifying 38 years of Top-Shelf Legal Expertise

Charting a path to growth through lasting partnerships and community engagement

Based in Honolulu, Lung Rose Voss & Wagnild (LRVW) has emerged as one of the preeminent sources of local legal expertise in the state of Hawai’i.

The firm has solidified its reputation as an organization of experts with advanced legal skills that meet the evolving demands of industries like construction, real estate, and corporate law.

The firm’s leaders actively promote a culture of continuous learning, where partners and associates alike are encouraged to stay ahead of legal trends and apply innovative problem-solving strategies.

Simultaneously, the firm ensures that its core values remain at the heart of its operations. At the most fundamental level, this means collaboration and a supportive environment, which has long defined LRVW’s culture.

By prioritizing camaraderie and work-life balance, the firm is able to retain top talent while nurturing new professionals to grow within the organization.

Community engagement also plays a pivotal role. LRVW’s leadership recognizes the importance of giving back, whether through training programs, mentoring, or active participation in local organizations.

Deepening these connections strengthens the firm’s reputation and allows it to stay attuned to the community’s needs.

Through all of the above, LRVW has earned its place as a trusted legal partner, a beacon of professional growth, and a positive force within the Hawai’i community. The firm’s long-standing dedication to the pursuit of this vision ensures that LRVW will continue to thrive as an integral part of Hawaii’s legal landscape for years to come.

Complex Problem-Solving as a Core Principle

Since being established in 1986, Lung Rose Voss & Wagnild has cultivated a reputation for prioritizing innovative problem-solving and fostering meaningful, long-term client relationships.

By focusing on resolving issues effectively and delivering holistic legal support, the firm has positioned itself as a leader in Hawaii’s legal industry. What makes the firm’s approach unique is the fact that LRVW attorneys explore every alternative in addition to traditional legal solutions.

“We’ve always looked at our firm as a place that’s dedicated to solving client problems. So, when a client comes to us with an issue, we look at every way we could resolve the problem as opposed to just jumping into litigation mode,” says Managing Partner Craig P. Wagnild.

Leveraging this fight-when-needed approach has resulted in many unique, novel, and unexpected solutions in which the outcomes of the legal matter have resulted in a win-win for both LRVW’s clients and the opposing parties.

Despite its wide range of legal solutions, LRVW is not a one-stop shop for every type of legal problem.  The firm’s main practice areas have always been real estate, construction, and business.

When issues outside the scope of the firm’s expertise arise, LRVW simply taps into its network of connected attorneys and law firms to connect their clients with the specific legal services they need.

So, clients are still encouraged to contact them for any legal issues. This strategic approach values quality over quantity, which has helped LRVW build a practice designed to adapt to client needs while maintaining a strong connection to Hawaii’s communities.

LRVW’s priority is finding a resolution for clients, and that will always be placed above posturing and running up legal fees. LRVW’s approach considers the people involved and develops solutions that prioritize their business and objectives.  This principle is reflected even in the LRVW’s management structure, which it handled quite differently from other firms.

The firm has established a management committee as a sustainable alternative to the traditional managing partner structure.  The traditional structure often forced the most experienced partners to shoulder the full burden of managing the firm for extended periods while trying to also maintain an active legal practice and service the firm’s clients.  This traditional model also made for difficult transitions to a new managing partner as there was little to no overlap or training.

“Our Management Committee has allowed us to bifurcate and even trifurcate some responsibilities of managing the firm as well as the day-to-day operations.  However, it also allows us to work together in a supportive manner to run the firm,” Wagnild says, explaining that the managing committee perfectly reflects LRVW’s core values of collaboration and addressing issues proactively before they escalate.

This principle also speaks to how the firm views its attorneys and staff, as the partners see everyone in the firm as a valuable asset worth cultivating.

“We’ve spent a lot of time and energy developing all of our people. From brand new attorneys to our support staff, we try to do everything we can help them because, in 10 years, these will be the people running things; it’ll be their firm,” Managing Partner Christian Chambers explains.

A Culture of Community Engagement

LRVW’s success extends beyond the courtroom and is also rooted in engaging with and contributing to the community.

“Most of our partners are on the board of various local and national charities within the community… we encourage community involvement and not on the basis of looking for work but more because we all feel that we have an obligation to give back, as we’ve been very fortunate in so many ways with our business,” Chambers explains.

Wagnild, for instance, in addition to having served as President of the Hawaii State Bar Association, has served on the boards of two schools, driven by his belief in the importance of education. Meanwhile, partner Sarah Love has played a leadership role in the Building Industry Association of Hawaii, and other partners have contributed to organizations like Central Pacific Bank and Hawaiian Airlines.

Other partners frequently offer training sessions to clients’ project managers, educating them on legal risks and best practices. This philosophy underscores the firm’s broader mission: building a stronger community through active participation and meaningful contributions.

By getting involved in its clients’ businesses and communities, LRVW is able to build trusting relationships and learn more about the specific business motivations, needs, and priorities of their clients that help to better serve and advise them.

In fact, one of LRVW’s defining characteristics is its ability to cultivate lasting relationships with clients. The firm’s attorneys strive to understand the intricacies of their client’s businesses, often expanding their role beyond individual legal issues to serve as trusted business and project advisors – a true part of the client team.

Adrian Lavarias, a member of the firm’s Management Committee, explains how this dynamic evolves:

“Clients often come to us with a single issue, but as we develop a deeper understanding of their needs, those relationships expand into other areas of law. For example, a contractor might start with a construction dispute and later seek our help with an employment issue or a real property matter.”

This holistic approach strengthens client loyalty and enables LRVW to provide comprehensive support across multiple facets of its client’s operations. The firm’s flexibility, adaptability, and intimate knowledge of client circumstances have made it a trusted partner for businesses seeking tailored legal solutions.

Creating a Path Toward the Future

As Lung Rose Voss & Wagnild looks ahead, its priorities remain clear: The firm’s leaders are focused on refining its services, embracing innovation, and ensuring that every team member has opportunities to grow professionally.

While the firm does not aspire to become a large, impersonal organization, it is committed to enhancing its capabilities and expertise. To summarize, the firm is not looking to get bigger; it’s striving to get better.

Unlike many firms that prioritize growth in size, LRVW focuses on improving its operations, enhancing client service, and fostering a collaborative internal culture, which it views as a cornerstone of its identity.

With a relatively small size, LRVW always emphasizes teamwork and mutual support among its attorneys and staff.

“We’re not looking at the future as the opportunity to grow into a Mega firm. We’re looking at opportunities to better develop how we service our clients, like becoming more knowledgeable in particular areas of law that are developing and providing better training for our associates and our staff,” Wagnild says.

This allows the firm to maintain a personal touch and deliver exceptional results while running as smoothly as possible. By staying true to its values, LRVW ensures that it will continue to thrive in a competitive legal landscape.

These same values are what have allowed Lung Rose Voss & Wagnild to stand out as a firm that prioritizes creative problem-solving, community, and trustworthy partnerships.

Undoubtedly, the firm has built a legacy of excellence that extends beyond the legal profession. As it moves forward, it remains committed to its mission of delivering high-quality legal services while giving back to the community it serves.

This balanced approach ensures that  Lung Rose Voss & Wagnild will retain its position as a trusted partner for clients and a pillar of the Hawaii community for years to come.

AT A GLANCE

Lung Rose Voss & Wagnild

What: A prominent law firm specializing in real estate, construction, and business law, with a focus on innovative problem-solving and long-term client relationships.

Where: Honolulu, Hawaii

Website: www.legalhawaii.com