Biography and Job-Related History

Stefan M. Reinke is a partner in the law firm of Lyons, Brandt, Cook & Hiramatsu and manages the firm’s employment litigation practice.

 

Mr. Reinke has been a litigation attorney since 1984, focusing on civil litigation.  His practice has included a variety of tort, insurance, employment, product liability and bad-faith litigation cases.

 

Mr. Reinke regularly provides counsel and representation for employees and employers on matters involving employment issues including sexual discrimination and wrongful termination claims and other claims involving violations of state and federal law.  In addition, Mr. Reinke’s practice includes the defense of cases for and on behalf of insurers in substantial exposure cases, including cases in state and federal courts.  Over the years, Mr. Reinke and his firm have represented businesses and individuals in high-profile cases involving wrongful death and serious injuries in the state of Hawaii.

 

Mr. Reinke is admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, the Federal Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii.  He has been a featured speaker at several seminars to lawyers, members of the community, and trade and insurance industry groups.  Mr. Reinke also taught courses in business law at Leeward Community College.

 

 

Alternate Dispute Resolution 

Mr. Reinke has served as an arbitrator and mediator for various types of cases.  He has recently been selected to serve as an arbitrator for disputes involving the State of Hawaii and its bargaining unit employees.  These matters have included termination, discipline and contract interpretation issues.  Decisions include the following:

 

In the Matter of the Arbitration between the UPW, AFSCME, Local 646, AFL-CIO and the State of Hawaii, Department of Transportation (Class Grievance – BU 01)

In the Matter of the Arbitration between the UPW, AFSCME, Local 646, AFL-CIO and State of Hawaii, Department of Human Services, OYS, HYCF (Grievance)

In the Matter of the Arbitration Between Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME, Local 152, AFL-CIO, and State of Hawaii, Department of Transportation, Airports Division (BU 2) (Grievance)

 

Education and Professional Memberships

Mr. Reinke received his A.B. in political science and communication from the University of Southern California in 1981.  He received his J.D. in 1984 from the University of California at Davis.

Mr. Reinke achieved an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell and is listed in Who’s Who in American Law (1990-present).

Mr. Reinke is a member of the Defense Research Institute, the American Bar Association and the Hawaii State Bar Association and the Federal Bar Association (Hawaii Chapter President 1994 to 1996, 1998 to 1999).  Mr. Reinke is active in the community, serving on the board of directors of Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii (President from 2000 to 2001) and formerly on the board of directors for the Hawaii Centers for Independent Living.

Publications

“Restrictive Covenants and Trade Secrets,” Employment Law Basics, Defense Research Institute, Monograph, 1997