Joseph T. Rosenbaum

Joseph T. Rosenbaum is a seasoned trial lawyer with extensive experience in employment law, discrimination, civil rights, whistleblower retaliation, and police misconduct. He also defends clients in criminal cases and has successfully litigated before Hawai‘i’s federal and circuit courts, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court. Known for zealous advocacy, he provides strong representation to clients facing difficult legal challenges.

Mr. Rosenbaum earned his J.D. from the University of Hawaii’s William S. Richardson School of Law after completing his undergraduate studies in biology at the University of Hawaii, where he consistently earned Dean’s List honors. Early in his legal career, he clerked for Elizabeth Jubin Fujiwara, with whom he later co-founded Fujiwara and Rosenbaum, LLLC in 2010. His education and early training prepared him for a career dedicated to protecting workers’ rights and holding powerful institutions accountable.

Mr. Rosenbaum’s courtroom victories include precedent-setting decisions. In Cordeiro v. U.S., the Ninth Circuit found federal officers were not immune from liability after using excessive force. In Gabriel v. Island Pacific Academy, the Hawai‘i Supreme Court struck down an unconscionable arbitration agreement provision in a workplace retaliation case. He has also won whistleblower and discrimination claims in federal district court, strengthening protections for employees across Hawai‘i.

Beyond litigation, Joseph T. Rosenbaum contributes to the legal community through teaching seminars on employment law and police misconduct. He is an active member of the Hawaii State Bar Association, the National Employment Lawyers Association Hawaii Chapter, and has volunteered with the Hawaii Innocence Project and Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii. His career reflects a commitment to justice, fairness, and advancing civil rights through both advocacy and education.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Fujiwara & Rosenbaum, LLLC
• Member, Hawaii State Bar Association
• Member, HSBA Labor and Employment Section
• Member, HSBA Litigation Section
• Member, National Employment Lawyers Association, Hawaii Chapter
• Member, Hawaii Innocence Project (2007-2009)

Licensed State

• Hawaii

Education

• University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Hawaii
  Bachelor of Science (BS)

Awards & Badges