William A. Harrison
Top rated Criminal Defense attorney in Honolulu, Hawaii
Harrison Law Center, A Law CorporationPractice Areas: Criminal Defense, White Collar Crimes, Personal Injury; view more
Licensed in Hawaii since: 1981
Education: University of Hawai'i at Manoa William S. Richardson School of Law
Call today:
808-501-0408
Harrison Law Center, A Law Corporation
1001 Bishop StSuite 2828
Honolulu, HI 96813 Visit website
Details
William A. Harrison, the founder of the Harrison Law Center in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, is a dedicated advocate for those facing criminal charges. With over four decades of experience in Hawaiʻi courtrooms, he aggressively represents clients accused of federal and state offenses.
Mr. Harrison guides his clients through every stage of the legal process, going the extra mile to thoroughly investigate cases and build comprehensive defense strategies. His expertise covers a wide range of criminal law areas, including white-collar offenses, cybercrimes, fraud, federal gun charges, assault and battery, murder, sexual offenses, drug trafficking, money laundering, racketeering, vehicular homicides, and theft.
He earned his B.A. from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in 1977 and his master’s degree from the same university in 1981. In 1981, he obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, William S. Richardson School of Law, and became licensed to practice in both state and federal courts in Hawaii. Additionally, he holds licenses to appear in New Jersey, the Supreme Court of the United States, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.
Mr. Harrison’s high ethical standards and exceptional legal ability have earned him an AV Preeminent* rating by Martindale-Hubbell. He is also listed in the Martindale-Hubbell Registry of Preeminent Lawyers. His accomplishments include being selected for inclusion in Who’s Who in American Law and Hawaii’s Best Lawyers by Honolulu Magazine. Moreover, he has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America since 2006.
Mr. Harrison, a lifetime member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, actively participates in several legal associations. He holds memberships in the Hawaii State Bar Association, the Hawaii Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the American Association for Justice, the American Bar Association, the National Institute for Trial Advocacy, the American Society of Law, Medicine and Ethics, and the Christian Legal Society. Additionally, he served on the executive committee of Phi Delta Phi International Legal Fraternity at Richardson Inn.
Beyond his professional commitments, Mr. Harrison dedicates a significant portion of his time to pro bono legal services. He played a pivotal role as one of the founding members of the Hawaii Innocence Project at William S. Richardson School of Law. Previously, he was instrumental in establishing the Afro-American Lawyers Association of Hawaii and served as the former Legal Redress Officer for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) – Hawaii Chapter. His passion for social justice extends to combating domestic violence, where he formally presided as the President of the Board for the Domestic Violence Clearinghouse and Legal Hotline (now know as the Domestic Violence Action Center). Furthermore, Mr. Harrison frequently contributes as a news media commentator on court legal matters.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.
Practice areas
Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense: White Collar, Personal Injury - General: PlaintiffFocus areas
Assault, Assault & Battery, Criminal Domestic Violence, Criminal Fraud, Criminal Law, Criminal Law - Federal, Expungement, Felony, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Motor Vehicle Offenses, Murder, Sex Offenses, Theft, White Collar Crime, Wrongful Death
- 70% Criminal Defense
- 20% Criminal Defense: White Collar
- 10% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
First Admitted: 1981, Hawaii
Professional Webpage: https://www.harrisonlawcenter.com/attorney/harrison-william-...
- 1981 Hawaii
- Christian Legal Society
- American Society of Law and Medicine
- The Association of Plaintiffs Lawyers of Hawaii 1989 – 1990
- The Association of Trial Lawyers of America
- Hawaii Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Hawaii State Bar Association –Oahu Director
- Executive Committee: International Legal Fraternity of Phi Delta Phi – Richardson Inn 1979 – 1981
- Bencher: American Inns of Court IV, Hawaii
- Board of Governors: The Association of Plaintiffs Lawyers of Hawaii 1989 – 1990
- 1993 U.S. Court of Appeals Federal Circuit
- 1985 U.S. Supreme Court
- 1982 U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit
- 1982 U.S. District Court District of New Jersey
- 1982 New Jersey
- 1981 U.S. District Court District of Hawaii
- Hawai'i State Bar Association, 1981
- New Jersey State Bar Association, 1982
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - Life Member
- Child pornographer's motion to suppress granted, Child pornographer's motion to suppress granted.
- Shark expert sentenced in pornography case to two months in federal prison, Shark Expert Sentenced, 2015
- Dog breeder sentenced to less than State wanted, Dog breeder sentenced to less than State wanted, 2017
- Roynes Dural's conviction for sex assault was overturned by the appellate court. Innocence Project Attorney William Harrison, Sex Assault Conviction Overturned, 2019
- Plea by Honolulu Police Officer in the Kealoha case, Plea by Honolulu Police Officer, 2019
- President, Christian Legal Society, Hawaii Chapter
- Director, Christian Legal Society
- Member: Lt. Governor’s Hawai’i Drug Control Strategy, Legal Working Group (2004)
- Former Member of the School Board, Our Savior Lutheran School
- Litigation Committee Member: ACLU of Hawaii
- Interscholastic League of Honolulu, Coach of the Year: Wrestling 1990 – 1991
- Delegate: Hawaii Democratic Party State Convention 1988 – 2008
- Past President and Founding Member: Afro-American Lawyers Association
- Former Legal Redress Officer: NAACP Hawaii Chapter
- President of the Board, Domestic Violence Clearinghouse and Legal Hotline (1991-1992)
- Best Lawyers in America 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022,2023,2024
- Who’s Who in American Law, 2003 to present
- Outstanding Lawyers of America
- Martindale-Hubbell Registry of Preeminent Lawyers 2003 to present
- Martindale-Hubbell AV-Rated for ethical standards and legal ability
- Hawaii Super Lawyers 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016,2017,2018,2019,2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
- Hawaii’s Best Lawyers, Honolulu Magazine 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016,2017,2018,2019,2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
- Master of Arts, American Studies, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, 1981
- Bachelor of Arts, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1976
- 1980 Law Review: the University of Hawaii, William S. Richardson School of Law, Honolulu, Hawaii
- Peoples Law School: American Trial Lawyers Association
- Lecturer: Trial Advocacy Program, Public Defender State of Hawaii
- Faculty member: National Business Institute Legal Seminars
- Faculty Member, Department of Land & Natural Resources (“DLNR”) Police Academy
- Faculty member: National Institute of Trial Advocates (“NITA”)
- Adjunct professor: “Hawaii Innocence Project,” the University of Hawaii at Manoa, William S. Richardson School of Law
- Lecturer in Law, “Innocence Project,” William S. Richardson School of Law, 2020
- Oahu Director: Hawaii State Bar Association, 2010-2012 and 2019-2021, 2020
- William S. Richardson School of Law; Bencher, American Inns of Court IV
- Chairperson of the Judicial Selection Commission (Term 1991-1997)
Office location for William A. Harrison
1001 Bishop St
Suite 2828
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: 808-501-0408
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2008 - 2024