Counsel Job Listing at Kamehameha Schools in Honolulu, Hawaii (Job ID JR-06216)

Description

Job Posting Title

Counsel

Employee Type

Regular

Recruiting Start Date

09-12-2025

Job Exempt?

Yes

Recruiting End Date

09-18-2025

Aloha mai!  Mahalo for your interest in Kamehameha Schools.  If you are looking for an opportunity to utilize your skills and talents and grow in your profession, while serving and strengthening our Native Hawaiian community, we would love to have you join our ʻohana!

Kamehameha Schools is currently looking for a Counsel with a Juris Doctorate, 2+ years of legal experience, and license to practice law in the State of Hawaii (or will be licensed within 18 months of start of employment).

This position will work out of our Kawaiaha'o Plaza location.

Job Summary

Provides legal services, representation and advice to KS clients in various areas of law. Responsibilities also include maintaining and managing practice, managing and meeting client needs, continuing professional development, and supporting management of the Legal Group. 

Essential Responsibilities​

• Provides legal services, representation, and advice to KS clients in the area of:
  Litigation - Advise on litigation, alternative dispute resolution, agency proceedings and related matters, in areas related to real estate, finance, insurance, construction, contracts, quiet title, condemnation, collections, risk management and other civil matters both in federal and state court.  

• Clearly articulates complex legal issues and formulates recommendations to support communication and strategies related to legal matters.  

• Conducts legal research and gathers information using all available resources including computerized legal research systems, KS collections, libraries, computer data systems, government agencies, documents, and individuals in order to provide legal services and advice.

• Prepares and reviews contracts and negotiates and/or drafts, reviews and prepares all necessary documentation.

• Serves as a partner to clients and within the organization to facilitate client's accomplishment of strategic objectives and specific cases and/or projects.

• Identifies and analyzes applicable legal and business issues, and develops options and/or strategies available to client to address issues, and thoroughly advises client of issues, options, and strategies through oral and/or written communications.

• Manages cases, projects, and transactions by developing and implementing plans, delegating and supervising work, and overseeing budgets and timelines to ensure timely, high-quality results.

• Collaborates and communicates effectively with clients, attorneys, managers, staff, and outside counsel to coordinate efforts and achieve objectives. 

• Directs and supervises assigned staff in performance of tasks and provides ancillary support for performance measures and annual evaluations of staff. 

• Motivates, trains, counsels and develops staff to support the provision of high-quality legal services and advice to clients. 

• Actively participates in Legal Group and KS meetings and projects. 

• Maintains high degree of integrity and professional ethics.

• Develops specific areas of legal expertise which is consistent with the needs and goals of KS and the Legal Group's clients. 

• Directs and supervises assigned staff in performance of tasks and provides ancillary support for performance measures and annual evaluations of staff. 

• Motivates, trains, counsels and develops staff to support the provision of high-quality legal services and advice to clients. 

• Actively participates in Legal Group and KS meetings and projects. 

Position Requirements

Minimum Qualifications - An equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute for the requirements listed.

• Juris Doctorate. 

• 2 years of legal experience to include but not limited to real estate law, litigation, business law, transactional, corporate or endowment related experience. 

• License to practice law in the State of Hawaii as well as the US District Court, Hawaii, or is licensed within 18 months of start of employment.

• Strong ability to partner with senior leaders, attorneys, and cross-functional teams to drive results and support strategic decision-making. 

• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.

• Excellent oral and written and computer-based communication skills to effectively communicate with all levels of KS staff, as well as internal and external parties. 

• Strong computer skills including competency in Microsoft Office Products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

• Ability to maintain a high degree of integrity and professional ethics. 

• Ability to maintain a superior reputation with colleagues in the Bar, professional organizations, and the community. 

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience practicing law with emphasis on real estate, corporate transactions, litigation management, education law, or trust/endowment administration. 

• Experience in complex federal and state litigation. 

• Prior in-house counsel experience within a complex organization or large law firm supporting multiple business units or clients. 

• Deep understanding of Hawai‘i state law, federal regulations, and agency proceedings related to education, employment, real estate, environmental, and corporate governance matters. 

• Demonstrated ability to align legal strategies with organizational goals, advise on risk mitigation, and support mission-critical initiatives. 

• Advanced computer skills in Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams. Experienced in using matter tracking systems (e.g., NetDocs (matter or document management system) and CounselLink (eBilling system). 

Physical Requirements

• Frequently sits, perform desk-based computer tasks and grasp light or fine manipulation, talk or hear.

• Occasionally stand and/or walk, write by hand, and lift and/or carry, push and/or pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.

• Rarely twist, bend, stoop, squat, kneel, crawl, climb, reach or work above shoulder, or grasp forcefully.

Working Conditions

• This position may involve traveling to various locations, including neighbor islands to conduct business.

• Work is conducted in an office environment and may require work to be conducted in non-standard workplaces.

• Work is typically conducted Monday through Friday at normal business hours.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by incumbents assigned to this job. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the responsibilities, duties and skills required. The incumbent may be expected to perform other duties as assigned.

For internal use only: #LI-CAR

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.  Please contact us at hr@ksbe.edu or 808-534-8040 if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job.  Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

KS does not accept unauthorized solicitations of candidate referrals from third-party vendors (i.e. Staffing Agencies, Executive Recruitment Firms).  Any third-party vendor who has interest in supporting KS's recruiting efforts must be authorized by Human Resources prior to the vendor's candidate applying with KS.  

Work Year

12

Pay Range

132,800.00 - 189,600.00 Annual

Compensation and Benefits

Based on the compensation range provided below, salaries are commensurate with job-related experience, skills and competencies, education, internal equity, length of work year, and other organizational needs.

At Kamehameha Schools (KS), we recognize that compensation is just one facet of a fulfilling employment experience. Our commitment lies in fostering a positive work environment and equipping employees with the necessary resources to excel every day. Our Total Rewards Program embodies KS's dedication to the physical, mental, and financial well-being of our employee ʻohana. Explore our comprehensive Benefits Summary for more information.

Primary Location

Kawaiahao Plaza

City, State

Honolulu, Hawaii

Additional Locations

 Apply on company website