Liane K. Wakayama '08
Who in your life has been instrumental to your success?
My family, especially my husband. He is my biggest advocate and his support is unconditional. I am also fortunate to be the granddaughter of Ernest Kinzo and Toki (“June”) Wakayama, who were born U.S. citizens, but were interned during World War II by their own country. Their only crime was that they were of Japanese descent.
In 1942, the American Civil Liberties Union, on behalf of my grandparents, filed a writ of habeas corpus petition challenging the unconstitutionality of their forced detention in an American concentration camp. This was one of the very first cases and, later in 1952, the military judicial review committee indicated that this was a model case due to my grandfather’s status as a U.S. citizen, World War I veteran, acting adjutant of the American Legion, and the executive secretary of the Western Fisherman’s Union, which only allowed membership to Americans of Japanese ancestry.
At a very young age, I remember seeing a newspaper clipping where there was a picture of my grandfather being arrested primarily for challenging the constitutionality of detaining U.S. citizens without charges or due process of law. Handcuffed and escorted by police officers, my grandfather was dressed in a full suit, and he was seen walking proudly with a smile on his face. The other arrestees in the picture had their heads down or were hiding their faces. I remember thinking what an odd way for my grandfather to look while being arrested until I was told that he had nothing to be ashamed for: he was a U.S. citizen, he was exercising his rights under the U.S. Constitution, he was holding his government accountable, and he did absolutely nothing wrong. Learning about my family’s story and the many other stories of those that were interned has greatly contributed to my success as a legal advocate and drives me to do the right thing, especially when it is the hardest path to take.
What does success mean to you in relation to your career?
To be able to know that you have given your very best to your profession and you have done so with the utmost integrity. My success is measured in the relationships that I have built and maintained throughout the years and by ensuring that I pay the generosity I have received forward.
Where do you see your firm, Hayes Wakayama, in 10 years?
Through hard work and dedication, my hope is that we will be viewed as one of the premier boutique law firms in the Las Vegas valley if not the State of Nevada. We are a firm that not only strives to exceed expectations, but we place great importance on maintaining a unified and productive culture.