JASON R. KWIAT

In 2015, after serving as a deputy prosecuting attorney for Hawaii County, Mr. Kwiat co-founded the law firm Schlueter & Kwiat. The firm later expanded, becoming Schlueter, Kwiat & Kennedy LLLP. This move marked a significant transition in Mr. Kwiat’s career, leveraging his substantial legal expertise to establish a practice with a broader legal focus.

Mr. Kwiat’s legal journey began in 2009 at Carlsmith Ball LLP, where he honed his skills in civil litigation as an associate for two years. In September 2011, he transitioned to a role as a deputy prosecuting attorney for Hawaii County, dedicating four years to prosecuting a wide range of criminal cases, from misdemeanors to serious felonies including murder and sexual assault.

Currently, Mr. Kwiat manages the firm’s personal injury and complex civil litigation cases, securing numerous significant settlements for clients, including a notable recovery of over one million dollars in a medical malpractice case in 2024. His criminal defense work is bolstered by his extensive trial experience, handling high-stakes cases involving serious charges as both a prosecutor and defense attorney.

Additionally, Mr. Kwiat has achieved notable successes as an appellate attorney, with victories that include overturning a life sentence for murder in the case of State v. Smith.

Mr. Kwiat was born in Oklahoma City and spent most of his youth in Shelbyville, Illinois. He graduated from Columbia College at the University of Missouri in 2005 and studied law at the Charlotte School of Law, graduating with the inaugural class in 2009. Following his graduation, he moved to Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i, joining his parents who have resided there since 2002.

Mr. Kwiat is actively involved in the community. He has served as a Circuit Court criminal law representative at the State bench bar conference and helped establish the self-help desk at the Kona District Court. He also served as the West Hawai’i Director of the Young Lawyers’ Division of the Hawai’i State Bar Association from 2010-2011.

This extensive professional background, combined with his deep community involvement, demonstrates Mr. Kwiat’s dedication to both the legal profession and his local community, making him a well-rounded attorney who is respected by his peers and trusted by his clients.