Hawaii Litigation and Real Estate Law Experts
FIRM OVERVIEW Starn O’Toole Marcus & Fisher is a leader among Hawaii’s law firms, recognized for its expertise in real estate law, commercial transactions and complex commercial litigation in Hawaii, the U.S. mainland and internationally. Transactional and litigation teams often join forces in complex commercial matters that require both business law and litigation experience. The firm’s intellectual power, mental strength and toughness generate winning strategies, strong negotiations and innovative settlements for clients. Above all, the firm’s passion for excellence and responsive client service has earned an international reputation for extraordinary client results.
Attorneys have been selected for inclusion among the Best Lawyers in America®, Benchmark Litigation, Benchmark Appellate, Benchmark Plaintiff, Hawaii Super Lawyers®, Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers™, and Chambers and Partners USA Legal Directory of America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.
The firm is top-listed by U.S. News & World Report-Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms”, and recognized in 17 practice areas: Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Government Relations Practice, Land Use & Zoning Law, Banking & Finance Litigation, Construction Litigation, Eminent Domain & Condemnation Litigation, Real Estate Litigation, Mergers & Acquisitions Law and Real Estate Law, Administrative/Regulatory Law, Arbitration, Construction Law, Corporate Law, Eminent Domain & Condemnation Law, Corporate Law, Construction Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation and Trusts & Estates Litigation.
The firm has earned Martindale-Hubbell’s® highest, AV rating, given by other legal professionals for professional excellence. The firm has more Top Listed, Top 25 Hawaii Super Lawyers® than any firm in Hawaii.
LITIGATION Starn O’Toole Marcus & Fisher’s litigation powerhouse has extensive experience, including significant jury and non-jury trial work, in complex commercial litigation encompassing business, corporate, contract and accounting issues related to real estate development, corporate ownership and management, the hotel and hospitality industry, environmental matters, construction claims, lender liability, class actions and personal injury. The litigation team has trial expertise before State and Federal courts in Hawaii and the U.S. mainland, and the team has served as litigation general counsel before courts in foreign jurisdictions. The team is amongst a handful of select “go-to” attorneys when clients are faced with complex commercial issues.
TRIAL APPROACH Victory in the legal environment means triumph: economic satisfaction, a win-win agreement, or sometimes, just being proclaimed right.
The importance of the path to victory -strategies, players, and desired outcomes - make the selection of the legal trial team critical for success. The job is to design a roadmap that considers each twist and turn that may be presented. Like a great mystery novel where the reader has skipped to the end to learn the ending, the experience and intellectual brainpower of the client’s trial attorneys may predict the end of the story by crafting each move on the battlefield along the way.
Starn O’Toole Marcus & Fisher’s litigation attorneys take the fight for every client as if it were their own battle. To be personally responsible and involved is a hallmark of the law firm, which is built on the power of its people.
Law firm litigation attorneys are recognized by Best Lawyers in America®, Hawaii Super Lawyers®, Benchmark Litigation, Benchmark Appellate, Benchmark Plaintiff, Chambers and Partners USA Legal Directory of Leading Lawyers for Business and the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers ™.
Firm attorneys are AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell®, the highest rating possible. Terence J. O’Toole, has been twice named Best Lawyers®, Lawyer of the Year, Litigation-Banking & Finance, and Bet-The-Company Litigation. Sharon V. Lovejoy has been selected for inclusion by Benchmark Litigation’s Top 250 Women in Litigation in the United States, in Best Lawyers®, and is a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America. Trevor A. Brown is recognized in Best Lawyers® in several categories, named by Benchmark Litigation, and has served as Chair of the Litigation Section of the Hawaii State Bar Association. Mark J. Bennett is a Top Listed, Top 25 Hawaii Super Lawyer®, in Best Lawyers®, a former Hawaii Attorney General, and is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Judith Ann Pavey has been named Best Lawyers®, 2013 Lawyer of the Year, Litigation-Banking & Finance, a member of the American Board of Trial Lawyers, American Association of Justice and the American Inns of Court, and practices both commercial and personal injury litigation.
TRANSACTIONAL Starn O’Toole Marcus & Fisher attorneys are known for sophisticated case analysis and innovative business solutions. The transactional team is experienced in real estate development and transactions, hotels, corporate finance, international transactions, secured transactions, mergers and acquisitions, construction law and complex commercial matters.
The firm’s impressive experience and skill has earned them a reputation for opening Hawaii’s doors for domestic and international clients, by helping them navigate Hawaii’s complex land use and permitting laws.
Law firm transactional attorneys are recognized by Best Lawyers in America®, Hawaii Super Lawyers®, Chambers and Partners USA Legal Directory of Leading Lawyers for Business and the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers ™.
Firm attorneys are AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell®, the highest rating possible. Law firm founder, Peter Starn, is in Best Lawyers®, recognized for his expertise in real estate and corporate law and is pro-bono legal counsel for the Pacific Aviation Museum Board. Kenneth B. Marcus is in Best Lawyers®, recognized as a Top Listed, Top 25 Hawaii Super Lawyer®, and is a member of the International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC). Duane R. Fisher is in Best Lawyers®, co-founder of the firm, and is recognized for his expertise in real estate, corporate and construction law. Ivan Lui-Kwan is in Best Lawyers®, past-President of The American Judicature Society National Board, and has been Chairman of numerous community organizations. Norman H.Y. Cheng practices in the area of real estate law, and is a board member of the St. Francis Healthcare Enterprises. Trevor A. Brown is recognized in Best Lawyers® for both business and litigation matters, bridging client matters that require business and litigation strategy.