Dean T. Yamamoto is the Founder and Managing Member of Yamamoto Caliboso. He focuses his practice on project development, project finance, and utilities. He is considered a leading legal expert in the field of energy project development. Dean was selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2016 and 2017 in the area of Real Estate Law.

Dean works with many of the leading renewable energy developers in the United States and Hawaii, helping them to plan, entitle, finance, build and operate wind power, solar power, biomass, biofuels, and other alternative energy projects. He also counsels many traditional energy clients. Dean’s experience extends to all aspects of energy development and finance, including power purchase agreements, interconnection agreements, equity and debt financing, EPC contracts, siting and other real property issues, governmental approvals and construction, and zoning and permitting.

He has also helped his clients develop large-scale real estate projects, such as condominium, subdivisions, hotels, resorts and golf courses, and commercial properties.  His clients include large institutional landowners, institutional lenders and investors, project sponsors, and public and private companies.

Dean’s deep community connections, extensive public service, and industry leadership experience allow him to provide clients with the insights necessary to navigate Hawaii’s commercial, political, and social landscapes. For many years, he was a director or volunteer advisor to Catholic Charities Hawaii, co-chair of the Washington University Eliot Society in Hawaii, and co-chair of the Washington University Hawaii Regional Cabinet. He is a member of the Hawaii State Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the American Wind Energy Association, the Western States Petroleum Association, the Hawaii Leeward Planning Conference, and the Hawaii Renewable Energy Alliance.

Dean received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Science, and his Juris Doctor degree from Washington University School of Law.

Areas of Practice:

  • Energy
  • Real Estate
  • Finance
  • Corporate and Business
  • Affordable Housing
  • Public Utilities
  • Telecommunications

Bar Admissions:

  • State of Hawaii
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii
  • Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

Education:

  • Washington University, B.S. in Civil Engineering
  • Washington University School of Law, J.D.

Associations:

  • Hawaii State Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
  • Federal Communications Bar Association
  • Hawaii Telecommunications Association
  • Hawaii Developers Council
  • American Wind Energy Association
  • Certified Commercial Investment Member Institute
  • Association for Demand Response and Smart Grid

Pro Bono / Community Service:

  • Washington University Eliot Society in Hawaii, Chair (2005 – Present)
  • Catholic Charities Community and Immigrant Services, Director and Vice-President (1999 – 2004)
  • Catholic Charities Housing Development Corporation, Director (2004 – Present)