William J. Deeley (1949 - 2023)

William J. Deeley received his BA degree in 1970 from Adelphi University, where he graduated magna cum laude, and his law degree in 1975 from Hofstra University while working as the managing editor of The Nassau Lawyer. Upon graduation Bill served for two years as law clerk to the Hon. Mario Pittoni of the New York State Supreme Court. He is admitted to practice in all courts of the state of Hawai’i as well as the United States District Court for the District of Hawai’i, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court.

Bill practiced law in Hawai’i since 1979, except for a three year leave of absence from June 30, 2013 to June 30, 2016, during which time he served in dual capacities as the Hawai’i State Tax Collector and the Branch Chief of the Collections Branch of the Hawai’i State Tax Department.

He represented and advised clients in a wide range of business and real property matters including time share and condominium development, financing and governance, in addition to all manner of business contract and tort disputes as well representing clients before the Public Utilities Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, Department of Land and Natural Resources and other administrative agencies.

Bill was a founding member of the Real Property and Financial Services Section of the Hawaii State Bar Association and served as its Chairman. He established the Section’s annual Real Property Litigation Update Seminar and has been a presenter at the seminar numerous times.

From 2003 to 2007, Bill was board president of the Attorneys and Judges Assistance Program of the Hawaii Supreme Court.

He earned Martindale Hubble’s peer reviewed highest rating for ethical standards and legal ability.

He published numerous articles on business and real property law topics, most recently, Insurance, Volume 4, Chapter 8, Hawai’i Real Estate Law Manual (2013) co-authored by John Winnicki, which focused on the interpretation of insurance clauses in commercial leases.