Frances Nicole L. Tabios
Associate
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"Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher is an outstanding firm with a deep expertise in the matters that they assisted us in, and a mastery of the art of negotiation. They were able to resolve the matters with grace and professionalism."
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"Starn O'Toole clearly stands out above the rest in what they do."
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"We were looking for the best litigators in Hawaii, and we found them."
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"The team is praised for comprising"excellent attorneys"who are"highly knowledgeable."
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"Thoughtful, creative problem solvers. They have the courage to challenge the client when it is their best interest."
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"They have been an excellent representative for us. They are thoughtful in their analysis of the situation, have explored a variety of available options, offered sound advice and followed through with persistence."
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"Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher has excellent lawyers. They are great advisors, and are very professional and polished."
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"Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher is an excellent and responsive firm that understands business needs and issues."
The Best Lawyers in America©, Client Comment
"An excellent firm. Excellent service and very responsive, with well trained junior associates. They provide sound commercial advice."
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"The thing that really makes them stand out is their business advisory capabilities — they are very insightful about the business side of real estate acquisitions."
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"The best attorneys are in this firm. They are sensitive to the client's needs, most professional and won all of my litigation cases. I would highly recommend this law firm."
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"Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher is the best firm I’ve had the pleasure of working with over a 38 year career. To a person, they are all professional, caring, effective and ethical."
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"Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher has strong partners and associates in both real estate and commercial litigation. They are well respected by peers and local judges."
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"Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher is first rate. The level of professionalism is extraordinary, and the competence is off the charts. Their negotiating ability with opposing counsel was superb; professional, courteous, and firm. They were able therefore, to reach good settlements and serve us very well while maintaining fine relationships with opposing counsel. This is a confident firm, with confidence based on achievement."
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"Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher is one of the best most competent firms and attorneys I have ever used."
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"I never cease to be surprised at the skills Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher brings in solving my legal issues. They are well connected and well regarded around town."
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"When we got into a litigation matter in Hawaii, we got a reference to Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher. They not only exceed in their expertise, they understand the culture and politics of the area as well. Stephanie Thompson and the staff in particular showed impeccable integrity. I usually refrain from participating in these types of surveys, but I wanted to share how great this firm is."
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"Doug Chin, at Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher, has been a wonderful partner in our government relations efforts. He is a consummate professional and well respected in our community, so he is able to open many doors for us. We appreciate our partnership with Doug and with Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher."
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"Stephanie and Trevor, at Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher, helped us through a very difficult case with patience, compassion and diligence. Their attentiveness and candor got us the best possible outcome. I highly recommend!"
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"The real estate team at Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher are true professionals. They are very knowledgeable on matters of Hawaiian law, and take a practical business approach to negotiations and problem-solving. They possess excellent research, drafting and negotiating skills. The presence of a government relations capability at the firm is a definite plus. I have worked with the firm for many years and look forward to many more."
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''Every document or filing they have ever promised has been delivered when they promised it or before.''
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''They are well-prepared and knowledgeable litigators, as well as strategic thinkers with sound tactics."
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'''The firm is able to handle complex matters by providing sound and well-researched legal advice. They provide an excellent service and are very responsive to enquiries.''
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Frances Nicole L. Tabios is an litigation associate who focuses her practice in the areas of business and commercial law, land use and eminent domain, litigation and dispute resolution. Ms. Tabios is fluent in English, Ilocano, and Tagalog, and proficient in conversational Japanese.
Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Tabios was a Judicial Law Clerk at the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii for the Honorable Shanlyn A.S. Park. In this position, she researched and drafted judicial opinions and orders on a wide range of dispositive and procedural motions and analyzed complex legal and factual issues across civil cases.
Ms. Tabios earned her law degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, William S. Richardson School of Law, and is a proud Ulu Lehua Scholar. Grounded in mentorship, service, and the values of resilience and community, the scholars program helped her develop a deeper appreciation for how the law can uplift those it touches.
While in law school, Ms. Tabios received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award for the Highest Grade in Legal Research and served as the Executive Editor for Volume 25 and Staff Editor for Volume 24 of the Asian-Pacific Law and Policy Journal. She was a Teaching Assistant in Constitutional Law and Island Leadership Lab. She was also a Native American Moot Court Orator, Student Bar Association Senator (for all three years), Filipino Law Student Association Vice President and President, and a Law School Visit Coordinator. She also served as a captain for the Ete Bowl team.
In Spring 2023, Ms. Tabios was a Scholar Advocate and Research Assistant to Professor Eric K. Yamamoto and Professor Susan K. Serrano, where she conducted legal research for critical analysis and collaborated on writing a scholarly memorandum on the legacy of the coram nobis Korematsu case. During the summer of 2023, she was a summer law associate at a Honolulu law firm, where she conducted legal research and prepared memoranda assessing parties’ claims for a wide variety of cases. She also assisted with trial preparation, researching, analyzing, and drafting pleadings, discovery requests, and procedural and substantive motions.
During the summer of 2022, Ms. Tabios was a Judicial Extern to the Honorable Shanlyn A.S. Park of the First Circuit Court of Hawaii, before she was appointed to the Federal bench. While there, she researched procedural and substantive issues concerning domestic violence cases, prepared memoranda, and observed daily court hearings and jury trials. During her time in Judge Park’s chambers as an extern and a law clerk, she witnessed firsthand how the judge’s mentorship extended beyond the courtroom to the next generation of lawyers. Additionally, she observed how Judge Park’s work ethic and ability to approach each case with both fairness and humanity was helping to shape people’s faith in the justice system.
Ms. Tabios holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Philippine Language and Literature from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, graduating summa cum laude in just 2.5 years. She was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Pi Sigma Alpha and the Manoa Pre-Law Association.
Born in the Philippines, Ms. Tabios moved to Hawaii at age seven, was raised in Aiea and attended Sacred Hearts Academy. According to Ms. Tabios, becoming an attorney was never part of her childhood plan. She originally envisioned a future in the medical field, but that later changed when she took AP U.S. History and AP Government in high school and began to understand how deeply the law and government shape people’s daily lives. The versatility of a law degree and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact ultimately drew her in. That realization sparked a lasting commitment to advocacy, shaped by Chief Justice William S. Richardson’s legacy of protecting the “little guy down the stream.” In that spirit, she believes that the law must be practiced with integrity as a way of serving others and expanding access to justice.
As a lawyer, she enjoys having the chance to think critically, solve complex problems and connect with people from all walks of life. Her greatest strengths include her resiliency, desire to foster inclusivity and a commitment to making others feel heard, often using her sense of humor to build rapport and put people at ease.
Ms. Tabios currently volunteers with the Honolulu District Court Access to Justice Room and the William S. Richardson School of Law’s Refugee and Immigration Law Clinic. She loves exploring the world and discovering hidden gem restaurants. When she’s not whipping up matcha and hojicha lattes, she enjoys cooking a variety of cuisines. She stays active with weightlifting, sculpt yoga and pickleball.
