On October 30, 2018, the Hawaii Supreme Court issued a decision in support of the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope (“TMT”) atop Maunakea – a telescope that would be the largest in the Northern Hemisphere. The TMT project had been in limbo for years. In 2014, protestors broke up a groundbreaking ceremony and blockaded...
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Attorney John Knorek Interviewed On ThinkTech Hawaii
Attorney John Knorek, a Director at our firm, was recently interviewed for ThinkTech Hawaii’s Condo Insider series. A top Hawaii labor and employment law attorney, Director Knorek discusses new laws relating to wages and employee speech rights in the workplace. Specifically, he breaks down what employers, including condo associations, can and cannot ask applicants about...
Read MoreAttorneys to Speak at 2018 Human Resource Management Conference - October 12, 2018
Attorneys Joseph A. Ernst and Kendra K. Kawai will be among the event speakers at the annual SHRM Hawaii Conference, hosted by the Society for Human Resource Management Hawaii Chapter. The conference’s theme is “Leading Workplace Excellence.” Attorneys Ernst and Kawai will present on Perfecting Attendance: What Policies and Law Can Tell Us About Driving...
Read MoreAttorney Robert S. Katz Interviewed On ThinkTech Hawaii
Attorney Robert S. Katz, a Director at our firm, was recently interviewed for ThinkTech Hawaii’s HSBA Living Legend Lawyers series. A practicing attorney in Hawaii for over 40 years, Director Katz described how he has been able to balance building an enormously successful law practice with enjoying family, friends and personal fulfillment. Click here to...
Read MoreHawaii Employment Law Cases April 22, 2018 to June 16, 2018 – Jeffrey S. Harris
U.S. Supreme Court Arbitration agreements barring class claims may be enforceable. Employees and employers may agree any disputes between them will be resolved though one-on-one arbitration. Employees need not always be allowed to bring their claims in class or collective actions, even though they agreed otherwise with their employers. Agreements to arbitrate may be invalidated...
Read MoreTorkildson Honored at the 12th Annual “Tee Off For Kids” Golf Tournament Fundraiser
Torkildson, Katz, Hetherington, Harris & Knorek, Attorneys at Law were honored at the Boys and Girls Club of the Big Island’s 2018 Golf Tournament that took place on Saturday June 16, 2018. Additionally, attorney and Hilo managing partner Newton J. Chu (Emeritus Board Member) was honored for his service to Boys & Girls Club of Big...
Read MoreAttorneys To Speak At Employment Law Seminar – August 14, 2018
Attorneys from Torkildson, Katz, Hetherington, Harris & Knorek, Attorneys at Law will be featured speakers at the Annual Employment Law Seminar hosted by Chamber of Commerce Hawaii. Our attorneys will speak on numerous timely employment law topics including leave law, sexual harassment, drug use in the workplace, FLSA issues, health law, labor law, ADA accommodations...
Read MoreJanuary through Mid-April 2018 Update on Key NLRB Decisions
PROTECTED EMPLOYEE ACTIVITY ORGANIZATIONAL AND PRE-ELECTION ACTIVITY Employees’ inability to represent themselves. Hendrickson USA, LLC, 366 NLRB No. 7 (Jan. 25, 2018) (Employer lawfully told employees signing authorization cards or electing the union would negatively impact their ability to individually represent themselves. Democratic panel majority held employer unlawfully told employees if they were to elect...
Read MoreLaw Firm, Five Attorneys Recognized by Chambers & Partners
Chambers & Partners, an internationally renowned attorney ranking organization, has recognized Torkildson, Katz, Hetherington, Harris & Knorek, Attorneys at Law, as a top labor and employment law firm in Hawaii. Chambers’ research describes our firm as “a large team of labor law experts” who “are well regarded in the market.” In addition to our recognition...
Read MoreHawaii Employment Law Cases Jan. 21, 2018 to April 21, 2018 – Jeffrey S. Harris
U.S. Supreme Court Automobile service advisors exempt from FLSA overtime. Automobile service advisors were exempt from FLSA overtime requirement because they were salesmen primarily engaged in servicing cars since they sold customers services for their vehicles and they were also primarily engaged in servicing cars since they were integral to the servicing process as they met...
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