About Therese M.
Therese M. Oriola completed her undergraduate studies at Hawaii Pacific University, earning a B.A. in 2013. She went on to Chicago-Kent College of Law at the Illinois Institute of Technology and received her J.D. in 2016. Her academic path threaded together a Hawaiian undergraduate experience and legal training in Chicago, giving her exposure to different legal cultures early in her career.
After law school, Oriola began practicing in Hawaii. She is licensed to practice in the state and has worked on matters that require both courtroom presence and careful written advocacy. Colleagues describe her as someone who balances attention to procedural detail with practical problem solving. She has experience handling legal research, drafting briefs and motions, and preparing for hearings.
Her work has taken her into state courts and administrative settings across Hawaii. That has meant managing case timelines, meeting filing deadlines, and counseling clients about next steps in often stressful situations. She has represented clients in pretrial proceedings and contested matters, and she regularly appears in hearings where written and oral advocacy both matter.
At The Law Offices of Joseph F. Zuiker, Oriola works alongside other attorneys who handle a range of matters under state law. Her role at the firm involves client intake, case development, and litigation support. She approaches each file by breaking down complex legal issues into clear tasks. That method helps clients understand options and lets the legal team move forward efficiently.
Outside the courtroom, Oriola continues to refine the practical skills that support litigation work: deposition preparation, witness interviews, and drafting dispositive motions. She also places emphasis on communicating clearly with clients so they know what to expect. She currently practices at The Law Offices of Joseph F. Zuiker, concentrating on matters before Hawaii state courts.
