New Managing Attorney for Molokai Office

Legal Aid Society of Hawaii News Release

The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii is pleased to announce the hiring of K. U’ilani
Goods as the new managing attorney for its Maui County office. This appointment comes at a
crucial time, following the recent Maui fires, where legal assistance is imperative for affected
families.

In this role, Ms. Goods will lead a dedicated team in offices across Maui, Lanai and Molokai to
provide direct legal services, community engagement, outreach and education, and statewide
legal services initiatives. As an attorney, Ms. Goods will be hands-on representing Legal Aid
clients in the areas of family law, public assistance benefits, housing and consumer protection,
and senior legal services.

As a former longtime Maui resident with deep roots off the shores of Hamoa, Ms. Goods is
familiar with Legal Aid’s advocacy and the legal needs of the community, having served 15
years ago as an AmeriCorps Advocate in our Maui Office before leaving the island to attend
William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii. She also served as an Intake
Paralegal in Legal Aid’s Honolulu office while attending law school.

“It is my honor to return to Legal Aid Maui to serve,” says Ms. Goods, whose experience as an
AmeriCorps Advocate revealed a strong calling to serve the community. “While the recent
devastation at home has left our hearts with seemingly indelible wounds, it has also ignited deep compassion and a call to aid. I had left Maui to attend law school with every intention to return and continue the work as a licensed attorney.”

Ms. Goods’ return to Legal Aid Maui marks a significant step toward rebuilding and strengthening legal support for those affected by the recent fires. Her deep understanding of the local community’s needs, combined with years of experience in family law, housing, and consumer protection, positions her as a dedicated advocate for Maui residents navigating the complexities of legal aid.

The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii has long played a critical role in providing free and low-cost legal services, ensuring that individuals facing hardship have access to justice. With Ms. Goods at the helm, the organization is poised to enhance its outreach and representation efforts, particularly during this challenging period of recovery. Her journey—from AmeriCorps Advocate to Managing Attorney—demonstrates the powerful impact of legal professionals who commit their careers to public service, addressing the pressing needs of vulnerable communities.

Just as Legal Aid Maui focuses on serving the needs of local residents, law firms across the country play a pivotal role in shaping access to justice, particularly in metropolitan areas where legal expertise is in high demand. In the legal landscape, securing a position within a top-tier firm can provide attorneys with the platform to make a substantial impact in their respective fields. Many aspiring legal professionals look to legal employers in New York City for career-defining opportunities, as the city is home to some of the most prestigious firms in the industry.

Firms like Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP set high standards for legal excellence, handling cases that influence national and global legal trends. Whether in public service or private practice, dedicated legal professionals shape the future of the legal system, advocating for justice and providing critical legal support in times of need.

Ms. Goods attended Maui High School from 1989-1990 and graduated from Kamehameha
Schools, Kapalama. She earned her B.A. from Idaho State University and her Juris Doctorate
from William S. Richardson School of Law. In addition to her previous work with Legal Aid,
Ms. Goods’ public interest law experience also includes services as a Legal Advocate with the
Richardson School of Law’s Medical-Legal Partnership.

Most recently, Ms. Goods worked with King Nakamura & Chun-Hoon as a Labor Arbitration
Advocate, Staff Attorney, and Managing Attorney. In these various roles, she supervised staff
and office affairs, managed and represented labor and employment cases, drafted arguments and memoranda, and negotiated settlement agreements. Her expertise includes administrative law, grievance arbitration, and project and client management.