Firm overview
US News & World Report-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 US News & World Report-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 recognizes the firm as the 2020 & 2021 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 Martindale-Hubbell®.
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
- Environmental Litigation
- Foreclosure
- Intellectual Property
- Landlord-Tenant Disputes
- Legal Malpractice Law-Defendants
- Lender Liability Disputes
- Medical Malpractice Law
- Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law
- Personal Injury Litigation
- Product Liability Litigation
- Real Estate 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.
Current and recent representation examples include:
- Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit (“HART”) for eminent domain, construction claims and real property matters for Honolulu’s emerging mass transit system. This is the largest public improvement project in the state’s history. Because the route of HART’s Rail line traverses high density corridors in, and near, downtown Honolulu, the eminent domain litigation has spawned significant nine figure landowner claims, some of which are scheduled for trial in mid-2022. While the Firm has not historically focused on eminent domain work, HART hired the Firm, together with specialized California based eminent domain counsel, to try the largest cases, in large part because of the Firm’s well-known trial strength and experience. This litigation will almost certainly create new and expanded eminent domain precedent in Hawaii and possibly on a national stage.
- Defense of largest shareholder and highest compensated individual in closely held corporation from claims of self-dealing, excessive compensation, and improper stock redemption and securities violations. The firm was selected because of its skill in complicated corporate, business and real estate matters and had the lead defense role. Lawyers in the community identified the firm as part of a “dream team” of defense lawyers.
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: "O’Toole is unanimously revered by peers and clients who praise his ability to both 'see the bigger picture and focus in on the bulls eye.’” Benchmark Litigation 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 Client Comment
Trevor A. Brown has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America© in twelve 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, and has served as Chair of the Litigation Section of the Hawaii State Bar Association.
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
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
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® by Martindale-Hubbell®, 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
Doug Chin has been named to The Best Lawyers in America© list, named a "Litigation Star" by Benchmark Litigation and is rated AV Preeminent® byMartindale-Hubbell®. Mr. Chin served as Hawaii Attorney General, appointed by Governor David Ige.
What people say about Mr. Chin: "I have never been more satisfied with the personal attention, straight forward answers, awareness of budget and attention to details…” Best Law Firms Client Comment
Stephanie E.W. Thompson has been named to The Best Lawyers in America© list, selected to the 2021 Hawaii Super Lawyers® list and named a “Future Star” by Benchmark Litigation. Ms. Thompson is rated AV Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell®, and served as the 2015 Chairperson of the Litigation Section of the Hawaii State Bar Association.
What people say about Ms. Thompson: "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. Best Law Firms Comment
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
Maile S. Miller has been named to The Best Lawyers in America©: Ones to Watch list and selected to Hawaii Super Lawyers®, "Rising Star" list. She is rated AV Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell®.
Kukui Claydon has been named to The Best Lawyers in America©: Ones to Watch list and selected to the Hawaii Super Lawyers®, "Rising Star" list.
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.
Robert J. Brown has been named to The Best Lawyers in America©: Ones to Watch list and selected to Hawaii Super Lawyers®, "Rising Star" list. He served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the City & County of Honolulu, prosecuting more than 20 felony jury trials.
Eric S. Robinson focuses in the area of commercial litigation. He is admitted to the Hawaii Bar, and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Hawaii, William S. Richardson School of Law.
Updated Sep 2021
