J. Porter DeVries

J. Porter DeVries is a Hawaii attorney whose practice focuses on condominium and community association law, real estate litigation, commercial litigation, construction disputes, title disputes, partnership disputes, and business conflicts. He helps boards, property owners, and businesses prevent legal problems, respond to disputes, and protect important assets through practical advocacy.

J. Porter’s education includes a Bachelor of Arts from Pennsylvania State University, where he earned Phi Beta Kappa recognition, a Juris Doctor from Pace University School of Law, and a certificate from Beijing Foreign Studies University. This academic background supports his work with property, business, governance, and international dispute concerns. He began his legal career at Segal Gebski, a boutique Wall Street law firm, representing clients in construction, business, real estate, and international disputes. He later served as a legal advisor at the United Nations, gaining experience with complex legal issues before founding DeVries & Associates in 2013.

As president and managing attorney of DeVries & Associates, J. Porter leads a firm built to serve boards, associations, businesses, and property owners facing demanding legal decisions. In 2018, the firm was recognized by Law Firm 500 as the ninth fastest-growing law firm in the United States. His community association practice emphasizes governance, preventative counseling, strategic planning, and dispute protection for condominium and planned community boards. He helps directors understand legal duties, adopt stronger procedures, address conflicts, and maintain responsible operations while guiding associations through Hawaii’s diverse property and community association challenges.

In real estate and commercial litigation, J. Porter DeVries handles commercial lease disputes, real property conflicts, construction defect claims, sale and acquisition disputes, partnership disputes, and related business matters. His approach helps clients evaluate risk, preserve evidence, negotiate when appropriate, and pursue effective resolutions when conflicts become unavoidable. He is active in professional and community organizations, including the Hawaii State Bar Association, the West Hawaii Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, and the Community Association Institute. Through leadership, counseling, and litigation, he helps clients avoid bad deals, resolve messy disputes, and move forward with confidence.

Law Office Affiliations

• Founder, DeVries & Associates
• Member, Hawaii State Bar Association
• Member, New York State Bar Association

Licensed State

• Hawaii
• New York

Education

• Pace University School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Pennsylvania State University
  Bachelor of Arts, Phi Beta Kappa

Awards & Badges