About Us

Judith Lee Sterling Attorney at Law CELA/CPA

Judith Lee Sterling is a partner in the law firm of Sterling & Tucker. She is the first attorney in Hawaii to become certified as an Elder Law Specialist and recognized as a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) by the American Bar Association (ABA) accredited National Elder Law Foundation and so certified by the Supreme Court of Hawaii. She is also certified as an Estate Planning Law Specialist by the Estate Law Specialist Board, Inc. and so certified by the Supreme Court of Hawaii. The Supreme Court of Hawaii grants Hawaii certification only to lawyers in good standing who have successfully completed a specialty program accredited by the ABA.

She received her bachelor's degree, cum laude, from Ohio State University and a Master of Science degree in education from the University of Florida. Her major was in mathematics. She is also a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the State of Hawaii since 1976.

Ms. Sterling received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Hawaii, is admitted to practice before all the courts in the State of Hawaii United States Federal Court and the United States Tax Court. She has been in private practice since 1981.

Her dual disciplines enhance her ability to handle the complex tax and financial issues that arise when working in the areas of estate planning and asset protection. She is a frequent speaker on topics related to taxes, medicaid crisis planning, advanced estate planning issues, and at least twice a year, holds seminars on the funding of trusts. She has been both host and guest on a weekly television talk show called “Let's Talk Story Taxes, Accounting and Business Law,” and has been invited to speak as a guest on numerous radio programs on the subject of estate and tax planning. Ms. Sterling has also contributed to the Hawaii State Bar News, Pacific Business News and Honolulu Advertiser. She has been an Adjunct Professor in Accounting at Chaminade University and taught classes in accounting at Leeward Community College. She is also a co-author of two books: A Will is Not Enough in Hawaii and Total Wealth Management.

She is a member of the American Bar Association, Hawaii State Bar Association, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Hawaii Society of Certified Public Accountants, Hawaii Estate Planning Council, National Association of Elder Law Attorneys, the Hawaii State Bar Association Committees on Taxation, Estates and Probate, and Elder Law and is a charter member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys.

Michelle Tucker Attorney at Law CFP®/JD/CPA/PFS

Michelle Tucker specializes in the concerns of clients ages 55 and older who are either in retirement or planning for retirement. She is well-versed in all of the critical aspects of retirement—wealth management, taxes, estate and long-term care planning and providing legacies for loved ones. As the co-founder of the firm of Sterling & Tucker for 25 years, she has helped families make the best choices for their retirement, grow and preserve assets, save on taxes, and then be able to pass their wealth as inexpensively and efficiently as possible to the next generation.

Have you accumulated enough to retire and be financially independent, and how do you manage your finances so that you will not outlive your resources? If you are like most people, you will retire only once, and mistakes in this process can be extremely costly. How often do you do something perfectly, when it’s the first time you have ever done it? By establishing a long-term relationship with Michelle, she can help manage your financial life not just when you retire, but for the rest of your life.

Most people want to minimize taxes. If you could be paying less income tax annually, Michelle will know it, and more importantly, she will help you avoid potentially huge estate taxes, and income tax on IRAs, retirement distributions and inherited IRAs. She’ll help you make the most of your assets so you can enjoy a successful retirement and what you’ve built over a lifetime. As life progresses, she’ll be a resource and guide for important decisions concerning your long-term care, and the best ways to leave your wealth to those you love.

Professional
Ms. Tucker is an estate planning attorney, a Certified Financial Planner, a CPA/Personal Financial Specialist, and a Registered Financial Consultant. Her professional capabilities
together with the wisdom gained from 25 years in practice, combine to bring positive change to the lives of her clients.

She is the first attorney in Hawaii to be certified by the American Bar Association (ABA) accredited Estate Law Specialists Board, Inc., as an Estate Planning Law Specialist, and is so certified by the Supreme Court of Hawaii. The Supreme Court grants Hawaii certification only to lawyers in good standing who have successfully completed a specialty program accredited by the ABA.

Ms. Tucker is an American Bar Foundation Fellow and a Charter Member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, and a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. She belongs to both the Hawaii State and American Bar Associations. She belongs to the Hawaii Society of CPAs and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, as well as the Forensic Accountants Society of North America and the American College of Financial Planners.

She frequently contributes to the Honolulu Advertiser and The Honolulu Star Bulletin, is a sought-after public speaker, and has co-authored two books, Guiding Those Left Behind and Total Wealth Management.

Education
Ms. Tucker was awarded her Bachelors of Science, Business Administration, from the University of Hawaii in 1976. She received her Juris Doctor in 1981 from the William S. Richardson School of Law. During college, she was the recipient of numerous Hawaii and national awards, and credits some of her success to her teachers at McKinley High School. Mahalo and Aloha.

Personal
Ms. Tucker is the mother of four children with whom she spends her free time, exploring Hawaii’s breath-taking coastlines and mountain ranges (and helping with homework).

Richard J. Sakoda is an associate attorney in the law firm of Sterling & Tucker. He received his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington and his Juris Doctor degree from the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii.

Mr. Sakoda was admitted to practice before all Hawaii state courts and the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii in 1992. His practice has focused in the areas of estate planning, probate and trust law.

Mr. Sakoda is a member of the American Bar Association, Hawaii State Bar Association, the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the American Bar Association, and the Probate and Estate Planning Section of the Hawaii State Bar Association. He served on the Hawaii State Bar Association Law Related Education Committee in 1999.Actively involved with the community, Mr. Sakoda is a member of the Honolulu Junior Chamber of Commerce and is a frequent participant on the Legal-Line (formerly, Ask-A-Lawyer), for which he received an Outstanding Volunteer Award from the Hawaii State Bar Association in 1998. In 1996 he contributed an article on "Inheritance, Wills, and Trusts" for the Hawaii Women Lawyers publication Our Rights, Our Lives: A Guide to Women's Legal Rights in Hawaii.

Michelle S. Hobus is an associate attorney in the law firm of Sterling & Tucker. Michelle Scully Hobus’ love of helping others has directed her career path, from California to Calcutta, and ultimately led her to Hawaii, and to Sterling & Tucker. Since joining the firm in 2004, Ms. Hobus has assisted clients in preserving their financial legacies with estate and disability planning. She also intimately understands the need for planning for young families who are just starting out, or starting a family. Her focus is always client-centered, and she is a frequent presenter of Sterling and Tucker’s monthly educational seminars on Oahu and in Hilo. She continues to service clients in both areas.

Personal
Originally an attorney with a California insurance and municipality firm, Ms. Hobus took a leave of absence from practicing law after a tragic event in her personal life. While living in San Francisco with her husband, a Punahou graduate who was also an attorney, she was wounded by a deranged former client who went on a shooting spree at the prestigious San Francisco law firm where her husband was working, and where she happened to be visiting. Her husband was shot and killed while saving Michelle’s life.

In the aftermath, Ms. Hobus dedicated herself to violence prevention and the passage of reasonable firearms legislation. She formed a nonprofit organization, Legal Community Against Violence, and became involved with Handgun Control Inc. (The Brady Campaign) which brought her lobbying efforts to Washington, where she provided testimony before the United States Congress.

Ms. Hobus is the recipient of the Sue Kingsley Volunteer Award, Handgun Control, Inc in Washington, D.C., the Points of Light Award from San Francisco’s Points of Light Foundation, the Courage To Care Award, from the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence in Los Angeles and the Leadership Award from American Jewish Congress in San Francisco.

Education
A four year Dean’s List student, Ms. Hobus received her Bachelor of Arts degree and graduated Cum Laude in 1988 from Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA. Following college, Ms. Hobus spent a year with Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity in San Francisco, living and working with homeless women and children. After completing law school, she once again worked with Mother Teresa in Calcutta, India. In 1992, Ms. Hobus received her Juris Doctor from University of San Francisco Law School. She was admitted to the California State Bar in 1992, and in 2003, to the Hawaii State Bar.

Carlos Di Ponio is an associate attorney in the law firm of Sterling & Tucker. He received his Bachelor’s degree (honors) from the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada, where he majored in history and graduated on the Dean’s list.

Mr. Di Ponio separately attended two law schools and graduated cum laude with a Juris Doctor degree from Michigan State University College of Law in 2002. That same year, he also received his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Windsor Faculty of Law in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Mr. Di Ponio was an editor on the Journal of International Law and was Assistant Vice President of the Entertainment and Sports Law Society at Michigan State, and served on the Windsor (Law) Review of Legal and Social Issues at the University of Windsor.

Mr. Di Ponio is admitted to practice law before all the courts in the State of Hawaii, and in the Providence of Ontario, Canada under the Law Society of Upper Canada, and before the federal courts in both countries. He is a member of the Hawaii State Bar Association and the Canadian Bar Association.

Before joining Sterling & Tucker, Mr. Di Ponio was in private practice concentrating in the areas of civil, criminal, and compliance litigation.

In addition to practicing law, Mr. Di Ponio has actively performed community service for various organizations ranging from the Italian-Canadian War Veteran’s Association, Easter Seals, and the Memorial Boys and Girls Club.

Wendy Miki is an associate attorney and certified public accountant in the law firm of Sterling & Tucker. She is the Medicaid and disability team manager and is also the tax manager of the Sterling & Tucker tax department. She has practiced law in the fields of estate planning, Medicaid and disability planning, taxation, business formation, and real estate. Prior to practicing law, Ms. Miki worked as a certified public accountant with two national public accounting firms (PWC in Seattle & KPMG LLP in Florida and Hawaii) and has more than seven years of experience in preparation of individual, trust, and partnership income tax returns and tax accounting.

Ms. Miki graduated with her Bachelors degree from the University of Hawaii and became a Certified Public Accountant in 1994. Ms. Miki received her law degree from Seattle University in 2000 and was admitted to practice law in Hawaii in 2000.

Ms. Miki is a member of the Hawaii Society of Certified Public Accountants (HSCPA), and Hawaii State Bar Association (HSBA).

Ronald P. Baldwin is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the accounting firm of Sterling & Tucker, Inc. He received his Bachelor's degree from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he majored in accounting and graduated with honors.

Mr. Baldwin is licensed to practice as a CPA in Pennsylvania and Hawaii. Before joining Sterling & Tucker, he was a tax manager in a major national accounting firm and was an executive and operating officer in several publicly traded companies involved in natural resources and international business.

He has written many articles on tax subjects and has been a speaker on tax matters including being a lecturer at the New York University Tax Forum.

Kelly Jones , Paralegal, joined our firm in 2005.

Laurie Young-Kagamida, Certified Public Accountant, joined our accounting staff in November 1996. Laurie received her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Hawaii, and has eleven years of public accounting experience primarily in tax preparation and planning and forensic accounting.

Gwen Kamiya , Paralegal, joined our fim in 2006.

Joan Kramer, Executive Assistant, joined Sterling & Tucker in March 2000 with over 23 years of secretarial and administrative experience, 20 years of which were during her service in the U.S. Army. She received her Bachelor of Science, Business Administration degree in Finance from Hawaii Pacific University and her Master of Science degree in Administration from Central Michigan University, Schofield Barracks campus. Joan assists Michelle Tucker with secretarial and administrative duties.

Leslie Noble, Accountant, Tax Preparer, has graduate degrees from UCLA and Bloomsburg University where she majored in accounting and business administration. She came to Sterling & Tucker in January 1991, with over 13 years of bookkeeping and accounting experience for small businesses, including preparation of tax returns, and setting up computerized accounting systems. Leslie is a member of The National Association of Enrolled Agents.

Jo Ochs , Accountant, Tax Preparer, recently joined Sterling & Tucker in 2006.

Bruce G. Gifford, Attorney of Counsel, graduated from the University of Michigan in 1955 where he also earned his Juris Doctor degree. He has been a member of the Michigan State Bar since 1956. Formerly he was head of the tax section of the Trust Division of Seattle First in Washington State before joining Allan H. Gifford, Attorney at Law in February 1985. There he performed technical work in the areas of both tax and legal administration.

Laurie Cheu, Paralegal, graduated from the University of Hawaii with a Bachelor's degree in Human Development. Laurie came to Sterling & Tucker as a former trust officer with over ten years of trust administration experience at local trust companies. In addition to assisting Sterling & Tucker's estate planning clients with their revocable living trusts, Laurie works closely with clients to carry out the attorney's funding recommendations. Laurie is also a notary public.

Emily Foster , Paralegal, joined Sterling & Tucker in 2005

Momilani Lazo, Paralegal and Notary Public, received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Hawaiian Studies from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and later received her Associates in Science degree in Paralegal Studies from Kapiolani Community College. Momi has experience in real estate transactions and over fifteen years of customer service background. She originally joined Sterling & Tucker in July 1996 as our client services representative. Presently, Momi oversees the workflow of the legal department, assists the attorneys in drafting the estate planning documents, and services clients as needed.

Cynde Fernandes, Paralegal, received an Associate in Science Degree in Paralegal from Kapiolani Community College in 1996 and is currently pursuing an Associate in Science
Degree in Information Technology and an Associate in Arts Degree in Liberal Arts. She has assisted in drafting real estate conveyance and mortgage documents, as well as preparing estate planning and corporate documents. Cynthia had been involved in real estate litigation and probate in downtown firms for 15 years before joining Sterling and Tucker in late 2000. She currently generates estate planning documents and assists in various paralegal duties.

Robert Quitasol, Client Services Representative, joined our firm in June 1998, with over nine years experience of providing customer service, most recently as an assistant manager for a business news publication's circulation department. Robert assists Sterling & Tucker's clients with appointments and special requests, manages the firm's client databases, as well as assists in preparing for the Living Trust Seminars.