Coates Frey & Hackett, AAL LLLC

Attorney P. Gregory Frey

P. Gregory Frey is our senior attorney and one of the partners of our firm. Beyond the many roles he fills and contributions he makes to keep Coates Frey & Hackett, AAL LLLC running as best and smoothly as possible, Greg continues to contribute to families throughout Hawaii through philanthropic endeavors and activities. He has the natural aloha spirit our firm seeks to emulate in our practice.

Greg became an active member of the Hawaii State Bar Association and was licensed to practice before the U.S. District Court of Hawaii in 1987. In 1989, he was licensed to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit. He participated as a member of the Hawaii State Bar Association's Family Law Section and Alternative Dispute Resolution Section. His active membership eventually turned to leadership when he was elected to serve as Family Law Section Vice-Chairperson in 2001, Family Law Section Chairperson in 2002, and later, a Hawaii State Bar Association Oahu Director from 2004 until 2010. Most recently, in 2020, Greg became one of the first attorneys who practices exclusively in the Family Law and Divorce Mediation areas ever elected to serve as President of the Hawaii State Bar Association.

Greg’s advanced skills and leadership have long been obvious to his peers and clients. Since 2010, he has been selected as one of Hawaii Super Lawyers for family law and on select years for alternative dispute resolution. Greg also holds a BV Distinguished rating with Martindale- Hubbell. 

Attorney Shannon Kim Hackett

Shannon Kim Hackett’s career has been recognized as exceptional from the start. A Bill & Melinda Gates Scholar, Shannon excelled in her studies and continues to do so in her law work. Her practice with Coates Frey & Hackett, AAL LLLC concentrates on family law litigation, including divorce, child custody and support, post-decree enforcement, adoptions, guardianships, and paternity matters.

Shannon is a member of the Hawaii State Bar and is therefore licensed to practice law in all Hawaii State Courts. Additionally, she is a licensed notary public of the State of Hawaii. Within the law community, Shannon volunteers with the Volunteer Legal Services of Hawaii and is a member of the Hawaii Women Lawyers, Korean American Bar Association of Hawaii, and Young Lawyers Division.

Shannon represents our firm as well in our Asian Language Practice Group, as she is bilingual in Korean.

Outside the law profession, Shannon is a member of the Korean Chamber of Commerce, volunteering her time in events within the community such as the annual Korean Festival. Shannon is also a member of the Junior Chamber International.

Attorney Paul W. Soenksen

Paul W. Soenksen, Senior Counsel of Coates Frey & Hackett, AAL LLLC, is an accomplished attorney and experienced speaker. While practicing, his early work emphasized general civil litigation and transitioned to focusing on family law for at least 23 years. He works closely with divorce, complex asset division, custody, premarital agreements, post-decree enforcement, and paternity.

Paul came to Coates Frey & Hackett, AAL LLLC in 1997 and a practicing attorney until 2012 before becoming Senior Counsel. Paul's practice has focused 100% on Family Law since 1997. Paul has, and continues to, handle some of our firms most difficult and complex cases.

Paul experienced success since the start of his career while earning his juris doctorate at Hastings College of Law. He won fourth place at Hastings Moot Court Oral. Additionally, he was the first alternate on Hastings’ National Moot Court Team. He was also a recipient of the American Jurisprudence Award, Torts. Prior to all that, Paul graduated from the University of Hawaii on the Dean's List, and is also a member of the Phi Beta Kappa scholastic fraternity. He had a brief practice in commercial litigation.

Attorney Justin Y.D Tsai

Justin Y.D. Tsai is a powerful addition to our legal team. At Coates Frey & Hackett, AAL LLLC, he concentrates on family law cases including divorce, child custody, child support and post-decree enforcement. Justin also handles criminal defense matters as well as temporary restraining orders.

Before practicing law in Hawaii, Justin was a member of the California State Bar. Upon becoming a member of the Hawaii State Bar, Justin worked as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the City and County of Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney’s Office from 2015 until 2019. In this role, Justin handled traffic, misdemeanor, domestic violence, and felony prosecution.

After his time working for the City and County of Honolulu, Justin worked at the Law Office of O’Connor Playdon Guben & Inouye where he handled civil litigation matters.

Justin joined Coates Frey & Hackett, AAL LLLC in 2020 and has been actively helping our firm succeed since.

Attorney Robert S. Young

Robert S.N. Young has exceled as an established legal professional in Honolulu for decades. At Coates Frey & Hackett, AAL LLLC, he concentrates on family law litigation, including divorce, child custody and support, post-decree enforcement, domestic violence, and temporary restraining orders. Robert’s previous experience is impressively extensive and the insight the positions awarded him is evident in his exceptional work and successful results.

Robert became a member of the Hawaii State Bar in 1978 and was effectively licensed to practice law in the Federal District of Hawaii and the Hawaii Supreme Court. He started off his career extraordinarily, as he served as attorney to the Vice-Speaker of the House of Representatives in 1979.

After that experience, Robert secured his role as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the City and County of Honolulu, handling misdemeanor, family, and felony prosecution until 1981.