When you’re considering a potential lawsuit, it’s important to find an attorney with a track record of successful recoveries. Since 1978, Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman has recovered more than a billion dollars for clients who have been injured by the negligence or wrongdoing of others. We are a leading Hawai‘i law firm known nationally for our tenacity and the high quality of our legal work. Our attorneys have earned the respect of our colleagues and our adversaries alike. When we take a case to trial, we obtain multi-million dollar verdicts. When we settle a case out of court, we get top dollar.
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Success at Trial
Although most cases are settled out of court, our firm has also been very successful for our clients in the courtroom. Our law firm has extensive trial experience with over 250 jury verdicts and many multi-million dollar recoveries. Our opponents know that our attorneys are not afraid to go to trial. Because of our proven track record, we can obtain the maximum compensation for you and your family.
Success in Settlements
Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for asbestos victims, personal injury and wrongful death suits, product liability and significant class-action settlements. Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman also worked on behalf of the State of Hawai‘i to obtain a $1.38 billion legal settlement from the tobacco industry.
Success on Appeal
In the chance your case is appealed, it’s important to find an attorney with a track record of success in the appellate courts. When the jury verdicts from our trials have been appealed, our firm has successfully defended those verdicts on appeal. Our record in the appellate courts is outstanding.
Independent and Innovative
Our team of attorneys has taken on some of the toughest cases, where the facts seemed highly unfavorable to our seriously injured clients. Through proper investigation, careful research of the law, and an innovative and creative approach, we were able to garner highly favorable verdicts, awards and settlements. We held the responsible parties accountable for their negligence or wrongdoing.
No Kou Pono. We Work On Your Behalf
Our attorneys and paralegals at Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman truly believe that it is an honor and a privilege to represent you and your loved ones. This is a privilege that we do not take lightly. Our effort shows in the billions of dollars in recoveries, verdicts and settlements that we have achieved over since 1978. We truly work on your behalf.
More Than a Billion Dollars in Settlements and Verdicts
The Galiher firm has recovered over a billion dollars for people injured by defective products or by the negligence of someone or some corporation. Here we can let the numbers speak for themselves.
A $1.38 Billion Legal Settlement from the Tobacco Industry
The Galiher firm was selected by the state of Hawai‘i to represent taxpayers in a massive suit against the tobacco industry. We successfully negotiated a settlement of $1.38 billion for the people of Hawai‘i, which was used to fund public health initiatives, the University of Hawai‘i medical school and anti-smoking education. The people of Hawai‘i will benefit from the work of our firm for many years to come.
Uncovered $400 Million in Insurance Fraud in Asbestos Lawsuit
Our attorneys uncovered a massive fraud by Travelers Insurance Company to deny our clients the recovery they deserved in their mesothelioma lawsuit. We exposed this fraud on a national level. We successfully negotiated a nationwide settlement of more than $400 million.
Tens of Millions of Dollars for Victims of Catastrophic Injuries
Tens of millions of dollars have been recovered for the families of those who have tragically suffered from the wrongful death of a loved one and catastrophic injuries including millions for victims in product liability cases.
Landmark Asbestos Settlement with Johns-Manville
In 1982, the Galiher law firm negotiated a landmark settlement with Johns-Manville corporation, the largest manufacturer and seller of asbestos products in the Western Hemisphere. After negotiating a $5 million aggregate settlement on behalf of 141 asbestos plaintiffs, we demanded that Johns-Manville post a bond to guarantee its settlement. As a result, all of our clients received their settlements even when Johns-Manville declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy – a bankruptcy that left thousands of asbestos victims without any recovery from this major asbestos company for many years.
- More successful settlements and verdicts:
- $12.5 Million Settlement in a products liability case for a worker injured by defective marine equipment
- $9.9 Million Settlement in a wrongful death case for the family of a man who died of mesothelioma asbestos cancer
- $9.8 Million Verdict for a Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard worker and his wife, who developed mesothelioma after working with asbestos products for many decades
- $9.1 Million Settlement in a wrongful death case for the family of a construction worker in his 40s.
- $5.8 Million Settlement for a Navy veteran with mesothelioma
- $5.3 Million Verdict for an industrial worker who was exposed to asbestos on the job
- $3.9 Million Settlement in an asbestos products liability case brought by a shipyard worker
- $3.7 Million Settlement for the family of a Navy veteran in an asbestos case
- $3.4 Million Settlement for an Oahu electrician who worked with toxic electrical products
- $3.1 Million Settlement for a Big Island woman in a product liability case
- $2.5 Million Settlement for an Oahu family in a wrongful death case
- $2.4 Million Settlement in a wrongful death case for the family of a shipyard pipefitter
- $2.4 Million Settlement in a product liability case for a Honolulu professional
- $2.1 Million Settlement for a Nanakuli family in a wrongful death case
- $2 Million Settlement in a wrongful death case for the family of a merchant mariner
- $1.9 Million Settlement for the family of a construction worker injured by defective drywall and plastering materials
- $1.9 Million Settlement for a cement worker in an asbestos personal injury case
- $1.9 Million Settlement for an unmarried shipyard worker with mesothelioma
- $1.8 Million Settlement for a Waipahu family in a wrongful death case
- $1.75 Million Settlement for a shipyard worker in a mesothelioma case
- $1.7 Million Settlement for a Navy submariner with mesothelioma
- $1.7 Million Settlement in an asbestos product liability case
- $1.6 Million Settlement for a Navy veteran who worked with defective products at Pearl Harbor
- $1.6 Million Settlement in a wrongful death case for an Oahu family
- $1.5 Million Settlement for a Honolulu man exposed to asbestos in the construction industry
- $1.3 Million Settlement for the widow of a Navy veteran with mesothelioma
- $1.3 Million Settlement in a product liability case for an Oahu man in his 80s
- $1.3 Million Settlement for an Alabama family in a wrongful death case
- $1.2 Million Settlement for a former sheet metal worker in his 80s.
- $1.2 Million Settlement for the widow of a Navy veteran in an asbestos personal injury case
- $1.1 Million Settlement in a wrongful death case
- $1.1 Million Settlement for the family of an Oahu merchant mariner in a wrongful death case
- Confidential Settlement for a Kauai couple in their 70s, who both developed mesothelioma after the husband worked with asbestos products in a sugar mill.
- Confidential Settlement for the family of a man who was fatally injured by an unsafe construction man-lift.
- Confidential Settlement for a motorcyclist who was catastrophically injured in an accident caused by unmarked speed bumps on the road at Sand Island.
- Confidential Settlement for the family of a man who suffered a fatal fall down the stairwell of a basketball stadium.
- Confidential Settlement for a Maui visitor who was catastrophically injured on a downhill bicycle tour, leaving her paraplegic.
- Confidential Settlement for the families of two women farm workers whose work truck was fatally struck by a negligent driver on H-1.
- Confidential Settlement for a 25 year old woman who was struck by motor vehicle while crossing Farrington Highway at night
- Confidential Settlement for the family of an 11 year old boy on the Big Island who was killed when his uncle’s car hydroplaned off the highway into a ravine.
The Galiher law firm works tirelessly to obtain the best results for its clients in every case. Through our many years of practice, however, we understand that every case is unique and any recovery is based on the particular facts of the case at hand. Prior results cannot guarantee the results in future cases.
Every Case Is Unique
Through our many years of practice, we understand that every case is unique and any recovery is based on the particular facts of the case at hand. Prior results cannot guarantee the results in future cases.
Our Promise to You
Since 1978, Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman has been successful at trial and in settlement negotiations. We will tenaciously pursue your case to achieve the maximum possible recovery.
L. Richard DeRobertis
Partner & Lead Appellate Lawyer
L. Richard DeRobertis joined the firm in 1983 and serves as the lead appellate lawyer in the firm. Rick has helped to preserve and expand the legal rights of Hawai’i workers, mesothelioma victims and consumers, and represents them in court appeals against manufacturers and large corporations.
Meet Rick
Ilana Waxman
Managing Partner
Born and raised in Hawai'i, Ilana Waxman joined the Galiher team in 2007 and focuses her practice on clients with mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases. She also represents the families of children born with birth defects due to chemical exposures, Hawai'i residents suffering from Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma as a result of Roundup exposure, survivors of childhood sexual abuse, and other catastrophic injury cases.
Meet Ilana
Allison Aoki
Partner
Born and raised in Hawaii, Allison Aoki attended Georgetown University in Washington D.C. and Keio University in Tokyo before returning to attend the University of Hawaii for law school. Her practice focuses on representing victims of asbestos disease, pesticide exposure, and other catastrophic injuries. She approaches every case with sensitivity and determination as she works to help local families seek justice.
Meet Allison
Alyssa R. Segawa
Partner
A native of Honolulu, Hawaii, Alyssa Segawa’s practice concentrates on asbestos litigation, personal injury, product liability, Roundup litigation, appellate and federal practice matters. She has a particular interest in helping victims of mesothelioma seek justice through the legal system as her grandfather passed away from mesothelioma when she was 16.
Meet Alyssa
Peter A. Kraus
Partner
Partner Peter Kraus focuses on toxic torts, whistleblower qui tam cases and pharmaceutical litigation. He has tried numerous asbestos, benzene exposure, and pharmaceutical cases including many multimillion-dollar verdicts and is an ardent supporter of consumer and victims’ rights.
Meet Peter
Christopher L. Johnson
Partner
Chris Johnson represents plaintiffs involved in toxic tort and complex civil matters. He focuses on helping victims achieve justice after suffering catastrophic injuries from dangerous products and toxic substances. This includes people dealing with mesothelioma resulting from asbestos exposure.
Meet Christopher
Victoria M. Chang
Attorney
Victoria M. Chang, a seasoned trial lawyer, is a dedicated advocate for individuals affected by harmful products and negligent practices. Before joining Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman, she served as a prosecutor for 10 years, specializing in seeking justice for victims of sexual assault, both minors and adults. With a career focused on litigating on behalf of those affected by others' wrongdoing, Victoria brings extensive experience to her role.
Meet Victoria
Elizabeth Nardi
Attorney
Elizabeth is an experienced litigator specializing in Maui fires impact, asbestos, Roundup cases, and advocating for child sexual abuse victims. As a former deputy prosecutor, Elizabeth served over 10 years handling diverse criminal jury trials. Elizabeth earned her law degree from California Western School of Law and her bachelor's degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara.
Meet Elizabeth
About Our Founder
Gary O. Galiher
Gary Galiher, the late founder of Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman, began practicing law in 1977 and started his own law firm the following year when he took on the first mesothelioma case in Hawai’i. We are proud to carry on his legacy, his personal commitment and his willingness to take on big organizations and companies on behalf of our clients.
Our Core Values
We take your case personally and put your needs first. That means you will receive individual attention from our attorneys who work as a team. We leverage our vast experience and resources to ensure you get the best possible results, even if that means going to court. No kou pono drives our resolve — everything we do is on your behalf. And at the end of the day, nothing is more important to us than honesty and integrity.
Our Results
We fearlessly take on large companies on behalf of locals and win. With over $1 billion in recoveries our track record speaks for itself. For decades, we’ve negotiated substantial settlements, obtained successful verdicts at trial and have been successful at appeal.
No Recovery, No Fee
If there’s no recovery in your case, you will not
have to pay a fee. We handle everything on a
contingency basis.
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We Can Help
We provide free initial consultations. If you believe you or a loved one has a claim or a potential lawsuit, we are willing to meet with you to evaluate your claim with no obligation on your part. To learn more about your legal rights and options, please contact us to receive a free initial consultation.