Best Lawyers in America®,"Best Law Firms", Tier 1 Litigators
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 law, and 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 matters.
Our respected team has trial expertise before State and Federal courts, including the US Supreme Court, and has served as litigation general counsel before courts in foreign jurisdictions.
When clients are faced with complex commercial issues concerning matters in Hawaii and beyond, the firm’s attorneys are amongst a handful of select “go-to” lawyers.
Our firm has been recognized each year by Best Lawyers in America® “Best Law Firms,” since the award’s inception in 2010. The respected national publication ranks the firm’s litigation attorneys among the best in Hawaii.
Benchmark Litigation recognized the firm as the 2020-2022 Litigation Law Firm of the Year-Hawaii and a "Highly Recommended" law firm.
Additionally, our litigation attorneys are recognized by The Best Lawyers in America®, selected to the Hawaii Super Lawyers® list, Chambers and Partners USA Leading Lawyers for Business, The Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers™ and rated AV Preeminent® the highest rating possible by Martindale-Hubbell®.
Starn O’Toole Marcus & Fisher is a proud member of TerraLex and SCG Legal, two of the world’s leading networks of independent law firms. Together, the networks provide the Firm access to the expertise of over 31,000 attorneys across the globe, so we may better serve our clients, wherever in the world their legal needs may arise.
Areas of Expertise:
- Appellate Practice
- Arbitration and Mediation
- Banking and Finance Litigation
- Bet-the-Company Litigation
- Business and Partnership Disputes
- Complex Commercial Litigation
- Construction Litigation
- Consumer Class Actions
- Eminent Domain & Condemnation Law
- Environmental Litigation
- Foreclosure
- Intellectual Property
- Landlord-Tenant Disputes
- Land Use & Zoning Law
- Land Use & Zoning Litigation
- Legal Malpractice Law-Defendants
- Legal Malpractice Law-Plaintiffs
- Lender Liability Disputes
- Mass Tort/Class Actions-Defendants
- Mass Tort/Class Actions-Plaintiffs
- Medical Malpractice Law
- Mergers & Acquisition Litigation
- Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law
- Personal Injury Litigation
- Qui Tam Law
- Product Liability Litigation
- Real Estate Litigation
- Securities Litigation
- Trust and Estates Litigation
Our Practice Style: Our team includes some of the most experienced and highly recognized trial attorneys in Hawaii.
Our litigators have a simple practice style: Work hard and fight hard for our clients—with passion, skill, and diligence.
DIRECTORS:
Terence J. O’Toole has been named a “Lawyer of the Year” in Honolulu by The Best Lawyers in America® multiple times, selected to the “Top 25," Hawaii Super Lawyers® list, and named a “Star” by Chambers and Partners USA Directory of Leading Lawyers for Business and Benchmark Litigation.
What people say about Mr. O’Toole: "The "brilliant, strategic and analytical" Terence O'Toole heads the litigation department. He is consistently singled out as a top practitioner in the field of commercial litigation, with one source noting: "When I watched him in court I was extremely impressed. His organization and ability are both really good.” Chambers USA Comment
Sharon V. Lovejoy has been selected for inclusion by Benchmark Litigation’s “Top 250 Women in Litigation in the United States” (2011-2014). Ms. Lovejoy has been named a “Lawyer of the Year” in Honolulu by The Best Lawyers in America® multiple times, selected to the Hawaii Super Lawyers® list, in Benchmark Litigation, in Chambers and Partners USA Leading Lawyers for Business, and is a Senior Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America and the Federal Bar Foundation.
What people say about Ms. Lovejoy: "Sharon Lovejoy tirelessly works to find optimal litigation strategies. Her real estate background combined with litigation knowledge gives her a formidable edge over competitors. She outsmarted opposition partners from one of the top three Honolulu firms in a very complex case.” Best Lawyers® Comment
Trevor A. Brown has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® in fifteen litigation and transactional categories, named “Lawyer of the Year” in Honolulu multiple times, and in Chambers and Partners USA Leading Lawyers for Business and Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide. Mr. Brown has been selected to the “Top 25” Hawaii Super Lawyers® list, named a Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation. Mr. Brown is often called upon to work on client matters that require business and litigation strategy.
What people say about Mr. Brown: "He is extremely creative in arriving at legal solutions and thinks outside of the box. He will wake up at 2am with a brainwave and have solved the case. What a hero! His tireless effort and non-stop work is amazing. He is a tremendous talent.” Chambers USA Comment
Judith Ann Pavey has been named a "Lawyer of the Year” in Honolulu by The Best Lawyers in America® multiple times, selected to the Hawaii Super Lawyers® list, selected to the “Top 25” Hawaii Super Lawyers® list, in Chambers and Partners USA Leading Lawyers for Business, and a Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation. Ms. Pavey is a member of the American Board of Trial Lawyers, American Association of Justice and the American Inns of Court. Ms. Pavey practices and is recognized for her work in both commercial and personal injury litigation matters.
What people say about Ms. Pavey: "Of counsel Judith Pavey is considered a crucial part of the team by those in the market and regularly appears on high-profile international disputes. Her practice incorporates personal injury litigation, as well as product liability disputes.” Chambers USA Comment
Andrew J. Lautenbach has been named to The Best Lawyers in America® list, selected to the Hawaii Super Lawyers® list, is in Chambers and Partners USA Leading Lawyers for Business and named a “Litigation Star” by Benchmark Litigation. Mr. Lautenbach is rated AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell's® highest rating possible for his skill and integrity, and serves as a Director on the Board of the Hawaii Chapter of the Federal Bar Association.
What people say about Mr. Lautenbach: "He brings an innate credibility to the presentation of an argument. He presents very well in front of the judge and jury and is naturally likable, so is a really hard competitor.” Chambers USA Comment
Doug Chin has been named to The Best Lawyers in America® list, named “Lawyer of the Year” in Honolulu, is in Chambers and Partners USA Leading Lawyers for Business, named a “Litigation Star” by Benchmark Litigation, and is rated AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell’s® highest rating possible, for his skill and integrity. Mr. Chin focuses his practice on commercial litigation, administrative law and government relations. Mr. Chin served as Hawaii Attorney General, appointed by Governor David Ige.
What people say about Mr. Chin: Doug Chin is noted for his wide-ranging disputes expertise, including commercial and municipal litigation. ''Doug can litigate, negotiate and guide. He sees a broader picture than just the battle of rights between the parties, and his actions and advice are aimed at solving the problem." ''As the former Attorney General, he has developed a strong sense of the judiciary and the approaches that will have the greatest chances of success.'' Chambers USA Comment
Stephanie E.W. Thompson has been named to The Best Lawyers in America® list, selected to Hawaii Super Lawyers® list, in Chambers and Partners USA Leading Lawyers for Business, and named a “Future Star” by Benchmark Litigation. Ms. Thompson is rated AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell's® highest rating possible for skill and integrity, and served as the 2015 Chairperson of the Litigation Section of the Hawaii State Bar Association.
What people say about Ms. Thompson: ”The Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher firm specifically Ms. Thompson are competent professionals who always have my company's best interests in mind. I am always informed when and included and feel our company is in good hands. What I appreciate and like about Ms. Thompson the ability to remain calm in crisis situations.” Best Lawyers®, “Best Law Firms” Comment
Maile S. Miller Since 2018, Ms. Miller has been selected to The Best Lawyers in America®, Ones to Watch® list, and the Hawaii Super Lawyers®, “Rising Star” list each year. She has also been named a “Future Star” by Benchmark Litigation and is rated AV Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell®. Ms. Miller represents a variety of clients in litigation and pre-litigation matters. Ms. Miller is admitted to the Hawaii Bar, and earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Hawaii, William S. Richardson School of Law
Kukui Claydon has been selected to The Best Lawyers in America®, Ones to Watch® list, and selected to the Hawaii Super Lawyers®, "Rising Star" list each year since 2018. Ms. Claydon focuses her practice in the area of commercial litigation. Ms. Claydon is admitted to the Hawaii Bar, and earned her Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center, graduating with honors.
A. Bernard Bays has been named to The Best Lawyers in America® list, named “Lawyer of the Year” in Honolulu and selected to the “Top 25," Hawaii Super Lawyers® list. Board Certified as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) and the Supreme Court of Hawaii. Mr. Bays is one of only a handful of Hawaii lawyers who are certified by the NBTA.
Paul H. Sato is Counsel to the firm. Mr. Sato has been named to The Best Lawyers in America® list and is rated AV Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell®.
ASSOCIATES:
John W. Kelly has been named to The Best Lawyers in America®, Ones to Watch® list and selected to Hawaii Super Lawyers®, "Rising Star" list. Mr. Kelly is admitted to the New York and Hawaii Bar and earned his Juris Doctor from New York Law School. Mr. Kelly focuses his practice in the area of IP litigation.
Kari K. Noborikawa earned her Juris Doctor from George Washington University Law School graduating with honors. Ms. Norborikawa focuses her practice in the area of commercial litigation and is admitted to the D.C. and Hawaii Bar.
Eric S. Robinson has been named to the Hawaii Super Lawyers®, "Rising Star" list. Mr. Robinson earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Hawaii, William S. Richardson School of Law graduating summa cum laude. Mr. Robinson focuses his practice in the area of commercial litigation and is admitted to the Hawaii Bar.
Updated Sep 2023
