ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act) advice;

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accounting Act) advice;

Assisting with negotiation and contract review between Fund and service providers;

Legal guidance in the areas of investments, plan/trustees expenses and fiduciary obligations, qualified domestic relations orders, qualified medical child support orders, COBRA, etc.; and

Negotiated a resolution with the DOL and IRS on behalf of two local funds and successfully represented the interest of a Health & Welfare Fund before the National Labors Relations Board.

Collection Attorney

Engaging in all aspects of Taft-Hartley collection work including drafting of demand letters, filing suit to obtain judgments, obtaining bond/mechanics' liens, filing NLRB unfair labor practice charges for non-payment, bankruptcy litigation to preserve Fund rights, and working with delinquent employers to reach an amicable solution short of formal litigation, etc.;

Appearing in the Hawaii District, Circuit, and U.S. District courts; and

Participating in mediations and arbitrations.

Mr. Kawashima received his Bachelor of Science in Commerce degree in Accounting from Santa Clara University in 1991. He then received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law in 1994. Mr. Kawashima received recognition for best oral argument in University of San Francisco School of Law's moot court competition in 1991.

Upon graduation from law school, Mr. Kawashima clerked for the Honorable Riki May Amano in the Third Circuit Court, State of Hawaii, assisting with jury and jury waived trials. Mr. Kawashima then joined Ning, Lilly & Jones in 1995.

Mr. Kawashima is licensed to practice law in the State of Hawaii and in the U.S. District Court, District of Hawaii. He is a member of the Hawaii State Bar, was a member of the Board of Directors for the Bankruptcy Law Section of the Hawaii State Bar Association (2001-2003), was a Commissioner on the City & County of Honolulu Charter Commission (2005-2007), was a member of the American Liver Foundation Hawaii Chapter Board of Directors (2005-2007), is currently a member of the Campaign Spending Commission's Blue Ribbon Advisory Committee, and the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP).