Local man promoted to litigation partner in internationally known law firm

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A son of American Samoa has made partner in Kirkland & Ellis, an American multinational law firm — the largest law firm in the world by revenue and the seventh-largest by number of attorneys.

Don Hong, the son of Ho Pyo and Aotearoa Hong of Laulii and Ili’ili, was recently promoted to litigation partner in Kirkland & Ellis LLP’s Washington, D.C., office.

He said this milestone means so much to him and his family. 

 “It allows us to continue to pursue my dreams and to see how much further we could go,” he said in response to Samoa News questions.

 “But beyond my own goals, I hope this milestone inspires young aspiring lawyers, especially those from back home. 

“Growing up on the islands, I always knew I wanted to be a lawyer but never had the opportunity to meet one or to learn from one. 

“I think it is important to have a resource you can count on to show you the ropes, avoid pitfalls, and help you make sound decisions. I never had that growing up, so I encourage young attorneys who are serious about pursuing the practice of law to reach out and to use me as a resource.”

Hong has extensive experience litigating complex commercial cases in a broad array of subject areas, including antitrust, products liability, class-action defense, consumer fraud, bankruptcy, contractual disputes, securities and government investigations, according to the law firm’s website.

Hong also handled numerous, high-profile matters for clients such as Huntsman, Hess, BASF, Syngenta, Navient, Walmart, Teva, Ranbaxy and Tronox. 

The American Lawyer has recognized Don as “Litigator of the Week” on a significant victory on behalf of Huntsman.

He maintains an active pro bono practice as well, and has successfully represented death-penalty petitioners in state and federal courts, including a rare Texas ruling vacating a death sentence for ineffective assistance of counsel.

Hong has also represented the American Samoa Government in a landmark case involving the enforceability of American Samoa’s treaties with the United States.

Regarding this case, Mr Hong told Samoa News this specific case was an improbable return to his roots. 

 “It was brought to the law firm by my mentor Michael F. Williams, who is a senior partner at the firm and who has a distinctive practice in litigating matters concerning the territories of the United States. 

 “Mike has represented the American Samoa Government and the Congresswoman from American Samoa in other landmark cases involving [American] Samoan citizenship. 

 “On the case itself, we were petitioning the highest court in the land to correct an error that had the potential to upend the longstanding relationship between the United States and one of its insular territories. 

 “Unfortunately, the U.S Supreme Court denied cert and we did not get our day in Court.  For what this case means to me, I would say that it was as close to home as it could possibly get. 

 “I never thought in a million years that I would find myself five years out of law school at a big law firm representing my people, my home. 

 “Not to mention before the highest court.  There’s just no greater feeling than being able to serve my people in the best way I know how, which is through my trial practice. Even though we did not get the result we were hoping for, it was definitely one to remember,” said Hong.

Hong was admitted into the New York’s bar in 2017 and the following year he was admitted into the District of Columbia’s bar.