Steven S. C. "Steve" Lim

Steven S. C. "Steve" Lim


Carlsmith Ball LLP

Recognized since 2009

Hilo, Hawaii

Practice Areas

Administrative / Regulatory Law

Land Use and Zoning Law

Real Estate Law

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Land Use and Zoning Law
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Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Land Use and Zoning Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2014 - Land Use and Zoning Law
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Steve Lim is the Administrative Partner of the firm's Hilo office and is headquartered in the firm's Honolulu office. He has over twenty years experience on the Big Island, Maui, Kauai, and Oahu in all phases of the real property development process. Mr. Lim concentrates in advising clients on real property due diligence reviews, land use entitlements and administrative issues, including litigation of land use and real property disputes. In 2014, The Best Lawyers in America selected Mr. Lim as Lawyer of the Year (Hawai‘i)—Real Estate Law (Land Use & Zoning Law).

Representative Matters

Real Property Acquisition, Development, and Sale Represents developers and major land owners in all phases of project development. Performs due diligence on complex real estate purchases, including pre-closing review of title issues and zoning and permit compliance, as well as proposed use reviews. Work involves land use entitlements and registration of subdivisions and condominiums, and advising clients on licensing and permitting requirements at the federal, state and local levels. Represents individuals and development entities in the purchase and sale of real property, and in actions to quiet title.

Resort, Master Planned Community and Golf Course DevelopmentAssists owners and developers with multi-phased resort and golf course development projects. Obtains state and county zoning entitlements, and advises clients on real property, construction and related areas of the law.

Licenses, Permits & Administrative Appeals Assists clients in obtaining a wide variety of licenses and permits from governmental agencies, including liquor licenses, conditional use permits, industrial wastewater discharge permits, shoreline setback variances, site plan review permits, and special management area use permits, among others. Obtains approvals for variances from affordable housing rules, and zoning and subdivision requirements. Represents clients in litigation of administrative appeals before agencies, boards, and the courts.

Distinctions

  • Listed in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2018 for Real Estate: Land Use & Zoning Law
  • Selected by Best Lawyers in America as Lawyer of the Year (Hawai‘i)—Real Estate Law (Land Use & Zoning)
  • Selected by attorney peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2018 for Land Use & Zoning Law and for Real Estate Law; Mr. Lim has been listed in The Best Lawyers since 2009

Affiliations

  • Urban Land Institute
  • Planning Commission Member, City & County of Honolulu
  • Hawai‘i State Bar Association
  • Hawai‘i County Bar Association

Contact & Links
Location
  • 121 Waianuenue Avenue
    Hilo, HI 96720
Education
  • University of Hawaii at Manoa, BA, Phi Beta Kappa, with Distinction
Bar Admissions
  • Hawaii, Hawaii
Affiliations
  • Urban Land Institute - Member
  • Planning Commission, City and County of Honolulu - Member
  • Hawaii State Bar Association - Member
  • American Bar Association - Member
  • Hawaii County Bar Association - Member
Court Admissions
  • United States, U.S. District Court, District of Hawaii
  • United States, U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit

Carlsmith Ball LLP
Headquarters: Honolulu, Hawaii

25 The Best Lawyers in America® awards

8 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America awards

Best Law Firms Badge Visit Website View Firm Profile

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Land Use and Zoning Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2014 - Land Use and Zoning Law
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Land Use and Zoning Law, Honolulu (2025)
  • Land Use and Zoning Law, Honolulu (2014)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
  • Administrative / Regulatory Law
  • Land Use and Zoning Law
  • Real Estate Law
Special Focus:
  • Administrative
  • Commercial
  • Land Use
  • Real Property Law
  • Residential
  • Resorts
  • Subdivision
  • Tax Certiorari
  • Title Matters
  • Transactions
  • Zoning
Awards:
  • Listed in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2018 for Real Estate: Land Use & Zoning Law (Band 1)
  • Selected by The Best Lawyers in America as Lawyer of the Year (Hawai'i)—Real Estate Law (Land Use & Zoning)

Publications

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