Litigation
Aggressive, Respected Hawaii Litigation Attorneys
Starn O’Toole Marcus & Fisher’s litigation team has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report-Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” in 2010 and 2011-12. The respected national publication has ranked the team Tier 1, the best in Hawaii litigation. Benchmark Litigation and Benchmark Appellate have both recognized the law firm as a highly recommended law firm.
Litigation Director, Terence J. O’Toole has been recognized as the 2011-12 Best Lawyer of the Year, Bet-The-Company Litigation. Mr. O'Toole has been recognized 2012-13 Best Lawyer of the Year, Litigation - Banking and Finance. Senior litigators Sharon V. Lovejoy, Judith Ann Pavey, John A. Sopuch III, Mark J. Bennett and Trevor A. Brown round out the litigation powerhouse. The attorneys are recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Hawaii Super Lawyers, Benchmark Litigation, Benchmark Appellate, Chambers and Partners USA Directory of Leading Lawyers For Business and Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers.
Each litigation attorney has earned an AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating possible. Mark J. Bennett is the former Hawaii Attorney General, and is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Sharon V. Lovejoy is a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, and Judith Ann Pavey is a member of the American Board of Trial Lawyers and the American Inns of Court.
The team specializes 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, construction claims, lender liability and class actions. The team has substantial litigation and trial expertise before State and Federal courts in Hawaii and the U.S. mainland and serves as litigation general counsel before courts in foreign jurisdictions.
TRIAL TEAM: Terence J. O’Toole leads the Trial Team joined by Judith Ann Pavey, Mark J. Bennett and John A. Sopuch III. Together, the team’s trial experience is virtually unmatched in Hawaii.
Terence J. O'Toole has been twice named by Best Lawyers in America, Hawaii Best Lawyer of the Year, and is Top Listed as one of the Top 25 Hawaii Super Lawyers. Mr. O’Toole is recognized by Best Lawyers in America in the practice areas of Bet-The-Company Litigation, Litigation; Banking & Finance; Construction; Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law, Appellate Practice and Real Estate Law. Mr. O’Toole is ranked Tier 1 by Chambers USA for Commercial Litigation,and is a Hawaii Super Lawyer in Business Litigation. Benchmark Litigation considers Mr. O’Toole a Litigation Star.
Judith Ann Pavey joined the Firm in 2008, bringing a winning track record as one of the most experienced trial lawyers in Hawaii representing clients in personal injury, medical malpractice, product defect and professional malpractice. Ms. Pavey has won numerous multi-million dollar settlements and awards, including a recent $7.5 million dollar award medical malpractice verdict in federal district court. Ms. Pavey continues her personal injury and medical malpractice, in addition to her commercial litigation cases. Best Lawyers in America recognizes Ms. Pavey for Commercial Litigation, Litigation-Banking & Finance, Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice. Ms. Pavey has been recognized by Chambers USA in Commercial Litigation. Ms. Pavey is a member of the American Board of Trial Lawyers and the American Inns of Court.
Joining the law firm in 2011, former Hawaii State Attorney General, Mark J. Bennett, has twice successfully argued before the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Bennett has first-chaired numerous jury trials and has personally negotiated settlements and complex arrangements involving up to and including $1 billion. Mr. Bennett is recognized as a Top Listed, Top 25 Hawaii Super Lawyer. Both Benchmark Litigation and Benchmark Appellate have named Mr. Bennett a Litigation Star. Mr. Bennett is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, and is on the board of directors for the Hawaii Chapter of the American Judicature Society.
John A. Sopuch III has represented a wide variety of clients in major commercial litigation matters, both on the plaintiff's side as well as the defense side. Most recently, in 2008, Mr. Sopuch was lead counsel in a two-week trial in probate court in Hawaii where he represented a trustee of a multi-million dollar trust in a case that included claims seeking in excess of $40 million for, among other things, fraud and breach of fiduciary duty. After the case was tried and during deliberations, the matter was concluded with a favorable settlement. Mr. Sopuch is recognized by Best Lawyers In America for Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions-Plaintiffs and Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions- Defendants.
Areas of Expertise:
- Appellate Law
- Arbitration and Mediation
- Bet-the-Company Litigation
- Business and Partnership Disputes
- Complex Commercial Litigation
- Consumer Class Actions
- Construction Litigation
- Eminent Domain
- Landlord-Tenant Disputes
- Lender Liability Disputes
- Mold Litigation
- Medical Malpractice
- Personal Injury
- Real Estate Disputes
- Trust Litigation
From Benchmark Litigation:
"Starn O’Toole Marcus & Fisher has built an impressive reputation as go-to commercial litigation firm for regional and global corporations with diverse interests within the state, the mainland and abroad. As one client states, “They are super talented, super smart and have a team approach that complements each other skills. They give very sound advice.”
From Benchmark Appellate:
"Starn O’Toole has been representing us for approximately two years. We selected the firm based on their excellent reputation as a boutique litigation firm. I would stack this firm up against any of the other firms we use for litigation and it would be right up there,” cheers a client. Another client offers the ultimate accolade: “I went to a trusted advisor and asked who I should hire to represent us in a very important litigation. This gentleman recommended Starn O’Toole. We have hired them to represent us in two subsequent litigations. The partners at this firm are extremely smart, talented, aggressive, and hard working. This firm is far superior and more capable than other similar firms."