Paul W. Soenksen - Honolulu, HI
Attorney at Coates Frey & Hackett, AAL LLLC
Family Law Lawyers in Honolulu, HI
900 Fort Street Mall Suite 1400 Honolulu, HI 96813
- Free Consultation
- 1 Super Lawyers®
-
39
Years
Experience
Honolulu Family Law Lawyer
Updated: 02/16/2026
Areas of Practice
- Family Law
- Divorce
- Complex Asset Division
- Custody
- Premarital Agreements
- Post-Decree Enforcement
- Paternity
Attorney Information
Overview
Paul W. Soenksen is Senior Counsel of Coates Frey & Hackett, AAL LLLC. Paul came to the firm in 1997 and was a practicing attorney focused on civil litigation and family law cases until 2012 when he assumed his new role as Senior Counsel. Macheras v. Center Art Galleries, et al., and Mariner v. Hilton, et al. are two of his most renowned victories in his career.
Paul has done significant work for mental health legislation in Hawaii during his career. He was president of the Hawaii State Alliance for the Mentally Ill for two years. During his presidency, he successfully lobbied the Hawaii Legislature to amend the State's civil commitment laws. In addition, Paul was a seminar speaker on Mechanics' Lien and Miller Act claims, Drug Testing, and on Mental Health Law for Social Workers, Counselors, and other Helping Professionals in Hawaii.
Awards and Honors
Other Sources of Feedback About Paul W. Soenksen
Included on the 2024 Hawaii Super Lawyers list
Past Lists
- 2023 Hawaii Super Lawyers list
- 2022 Hawaii Super Lawyers list
Education
-
Legal Education
-
University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings),
San Francisco,
California, 1987
Juris Doctorate
Honors: Hastings Moot Court Oral Award
Honors: Recipient of American Jurisprudence Award, Torts
-
University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings),
San Francisco,
California, 1987
-
Non Legal Education
-
University of Hawaii,
Honolulu,
Hawaii, 1983
B.A., Bachelor of Arts
Honors: Dean's List
Honors: Phi Beta Kappa
Honors: With Distinction
Major: Liberal Studies Pre-Law -
Kaiser High School, 1976
Graduate
-
University of Hawaii,
Honolulu,
Hawaii, 1983
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Senior Counsel
Past Positions
- Kessner Duca Umebayashi Bain & Matsunaga, Associate Attorney, Shareholder, Director
Classes and Seminars
- Seminar Speaker on Mechanics' Lien and Miller Act claims, Drug Testing, and on Mental Health Law for Social Workers, Counselors, and other Helping Professionals in Hawaii
Pro Bono Activities
- Assistant Scoutmaster, Boy Scout Troop 42, Aloha Council
Representative Cases
-
Macheras v. Center Art Galleries, et. al., and Mariner v. Hilton, et. al.
Bar Admissions
- Hawaii, 1987
- U.S. Federal Courts, 1987
- U.S. District Court District of Hawaii
Other Affiliations
- Family Law Section, Hawaii State Bar Association (Member)
- President of the Hawaii State Alliance for the Mentally Ill between 1992 and 1994
Fraternities and Sororities
- Phi Delta Phi
Contact
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