Hawaii Employment Lawyers
Employment law are those laws approved in Hawaii that apply to employers, employees and independent contractors. These laws apply to every aspect of workplace endeavors, such as hiring policies, wage disputes, and firing of employees. Hawaii's employment laws set forth particular mandates that need to be understood by both employers and employees.
At-Will and Contract Employment
Most job relationships in Hawaii are on the basis of "at will" employment, but in other cases there may be an employment contract with a specific term. "At will" employment implies that either the employee or the employer may end the relationship at any time, so long as the reason for the termination is not unlawful. In instances involving an employment contract, Hawaii employment law will be used to decide the validity of the clauses contained in the agreement.
The Law of Discrimination in Hawaii
The laws of Hawaii in general prohibit discrimination. These laws apply to all stages of employment, ranging from the hiring process to the termination procedure. The laws of Hawaii create different categories against which employers may not discriminate. These may include religion, national origin, age, gender, disability, and race. Lawyers in Hawaii who specialize in employment discrimination can help determine which forms of behavior would be defined as discrimination.
Interesting Facts About Hawaii
Hawaii is nicknamed "The Aloha State" and is the newest U.S. state, being added as the 50th state only in the year 1959. The state capitol of Hawaii is Honolulu, one of Hawaii's major cities. Hawaii's state government is unique in that it has several remnants and adaptations carrying over from Hawaii's early kingdom era.
Hawaii laws are mostly the product of its bicameral state legislature, which meets at the State Capitol building, Aliiolani Hale, located in Honolulu. The historic capitol building houses a Judiciary History Center featuring multi-media presentations of several landmark Hawaii legal cases. In 2006, the American Bar Association hosted a mock-trial presentation of the Massie Trial, a famous Honolulu criminal trial dating back to the year 1932.
Unlike other U.S. states, Hawaii does not operate any municipal governments- all localities are administered through the county system. Hawaii's judicial system is composed of the Hawaii State Circuit Courts (the lowest level), followed by an Intermediate Court of Appeals. The Hawaii Supreme Court is the highest court. Hawaii also maintains a few courts focused on specific issues, such as the Hawaii Land Court and the Hawaii State Tax Appeal Court.
Lawyers in Hawaii are well-versed in the laws and legal issues of the state. Hawaii attorneys typically file most of their claims at the Circuit Courts, which have broad jurisdiction over most common legal claims. Hawaii lawyers also process more complex claims and appeals through the Court of Appeals or through the Hawaii Supreme Court.
