Starn O’Toole Marcus & Fisher is a leader among Hawaii real estate and business law firms, recognized for its expertise in real estate law, commercial transactions and complex commercial litigation in Hawaii, the US mainland and internationally.
Firm transactional and litigation attorneys often join forces in complex commercial matters that require both business law and litigation experience. The firm’s intellectual power and mental strength and toughness generate winning strategies, strong negotiations and innovative settlements for clients. Above all, the firm’s attorneys have a passion for excellence and responsive client service, earning the firm an international reputation for extraordinary client results.
Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher's senior partners bring impressive depth in both years of practice and a skill level earned from working complex and nuanced cases for many years. Six senior partners have practiced over 45 years and remain actively involved in their legal practice.
Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher has earned Martindale-Hubbell’s® highest AV Preeminent® rating, given by our legal peers for achieving the highest standards of professional ethics, excellence and legal ability. Our litigation attorneys and transactional team have been selected to the “Top 25”, Hawaii Super Lawyers® list in the practice areas of business litigation and real estate law.
Firm attorneys have earned 45 practice area recognitions as The Best Lawyers in America©, “Lawyers of the Year” in Honolulu (2011 – 2025), in both transactional and litigation practice areas.
Our firm is ranked “Tier 1” in Hawaii in 25 specialties by“Best Law Firms®”. The firm has been selected for inclusion each year since the accolade's inception in 2010.
The firm is Benchmark Litigation’s “Hawaii Litigation Firm of the Year” for 2020 – 2022 & 2024, 2025, and a "Highly Recommended" law firm since 2011. The firm is highly recognized by Chambers and Partners USA Directory of Leading Lawyers for Business in the practice areas of Litigation: General Commercial, Real Estate Law, Corporate/Commercial and Private Wealth Law. The firm’s Litigation Director has earned “Star” ranking each year since 2012.
A LITIGATION POWERHOUSE
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 Hawaii 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 of litigation attorneys have trial expertise before State and Federal courts in Hawaii and the US mainland, 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 TRIAL APPROACH & ATTORNEYS
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 road map that considers each twist and turn that may be presented. The experience and intellectual brainpower of the client’s trial attorneys often accounts for the outcome of litigation by crafting each strategic 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 responsible and involved is a hallmark of the law firm, which is built on the power of its people.
The firm is Benchmark Litigation’s “Hawaii Litigation Firm of the Year” for 2020 – 2022 & 2024, 2025, and a "Highly Recommended" law firm since 2011.
The firm’s litigation attorneys are recognized by The Best Lawyers in America©, Chambers and Partners USA Directory of Leading Lawyers for Business, selected to the Hawaii Super Lawyers® list, Benchmark Litigation and Martindale-Hubbell®.
Starn O’Toole Marcus & Fisher is rated AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell’s® highest possible rating, given to us by our legal peers for achieving very high ethical standards and professional ability.
Directors & Counsel
A. Bernard Bays has been named a “Lawyer of the Year” in Honolulu by The Best Lawyers in America© 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, and received the 2024 “Presidents Award” for Civil Litigation.
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, selected to the “Top 25” Hawaii Super Lawyers® list, in Chambers and Partners USA Leading Lawyers for Business, in Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide and named a “Litigation Star” by Benchmark Litigation. Mr. Brown is often called upon to work on client matters that require business and litigation strategy.
Douglas S. Chin has been named to The Best Lawyers in America© list, named “Lawyer of the Year” in Honolulu, selected to the Hawaii Super Lawyers® list, 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.
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.
Andrew J. Lautenbach has been named to The Best Lawyers in America© list, selected to the Hawaii “Top 25” 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.
Sharon V. Lovejoy has been selected for inclusion by Benchmark Litigation’s “Top 250 Women in Litigation in the United States”(2011 – 2014) and Pacific Business News’ 2018 “Women Who Mean Business”. Ms. Lovejoy has been named “Lawyer of the Year” in Honolulu by The Best Lawyers in America©, multiple times, selected to the “Top 25” Hawaii Super Lawyers® list, in Chambers and Partners USA Leading Lawyers for Business, named a "Litigation Star" by Benchmark Litigation, is a Senior Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America and is a Fellow of the Federal Bar Foundation.
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.
Terence J. O’Toole has been named “Lawyer of the Year” in Honolulu by The Best Lawyers in America© multiple times, selected to the “Top 25,” Hawaii Super Lawyers® list, named a “Star” by Chambers and Partners USA Directory of Leading Lawyers for Business and named a “Litigation Star” by Benchmark Litigation.
Judith Ann Pavey has been named “Lawyer of the Year” in Honolulu by The Best Lawyers in America© multiple times, 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.
Paul H. Sato has been named to The Best Lawyers in America© list. Mr. Sato is rated AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell’s® highest rating possible, for his skill and integrity. He is a seasoned litigation attorney who has over 45 years of experience and focuses on commercial litigation, real estate law, corporate law and administrative law.
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.
BUSINESS FOCUSED REAL ESTATE ATTORNEYS
Starn O’Toole Marcus & Fisher’s real estate and business law attorneys are known for sophisticated case analysis and innovative business solutions for complex matters. Our attorneys have significant experience in real estate development and transactions, hotels, hotel management agreements, corporate finance, international transactions, secured transactions, mergers and acquisitions, construction law and complex commercial matters, in Hawaii, the US and internationally.
The firm’s impressive skill and experience in strategic case planning, ingenious solutions and powerful negotiations in all aspects of complex real estate transactions has opened many doors for domestic and international clients, and have helped many navigate Hawaii’s complex land use and permitting laws.
OUR TRANSACTIONAL APPROACH AND ATTORNEYS
Starn O’Toole Marcus & Fisher transactional attorneys have an innate talent for critical thinking through each complex commercial matter. What’s more, they excel in solving the pieces of a puzzle, examining the players, unraveling the details of agreements and handshake deals, to identify the keys that will give the client the clear advantage.
In today’s complex competitive environment, firm transactional attorneys shine when approaching the deal table. Strong, experienced and prepared for endless possible moves and counter-moves, firm attorneys drive for exceptional results for every client whether they are a family owned business or an international corporation.
Our transactional attorneys are recognized by The Best Lawyers in America©, Chambers and Partners USA Directory of Leading Lawyers for Business, and selected to the Hawaii Super Lawyers® list.
All Starn O’Toole Marcus & Fisher transactional Directors are rated AV Preeminent®, the highest rating possible given by Martindale-Hubbell®, a distinction given by our legal peers for achieving the highest standards for professional skill, ethics and integrity.
Directors
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, selected to the “Top 25” Hawaii Super Lawyers® list, in Chambers and Partners USA Leading Lawyers for Business, in Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide and named a “Litigation Star” by Benchmark Litigation. Mr. Brown is often called upon to work on client matters that require business and litigation strategy.
Norman H.Y. Cheng is Managing Director of the firm. Mr. Cheng has been named to The Best Lawyers in America© list, selected to the “Top 25” Hawaii Super Lawyers® list, and in Chambers and Partners USA Directory of Leading Lawyers for Business. Mr. Cheng is rated AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell’s® highest rating possible for his skill and integrity. He practices in the area of real estate law, and participates on many non-profit boards.
Duane R. Fisher is President of the firm and has been named “Lawyer of the Year” in Honolulu by The Best Lawyers in America© multiple times, selected to the “Top 25” Hawaii Super Lawyers® list, in Chambers and Partners USA Directory of Leading Lawyers for Business and is recognized for his expertise in real estate, corporate and construction law.
Ivan M. Lui-Kwan has been named “Lawyer of the Year” in Honolulu by The Best Lawyers in America© multiple times, is in Chambers and Partners USA Directory of Leading Lawyers for Business and selected to the Hawaii Super Lawyers® list. Mr. Lui-Kwan is rated AV Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell®, was the Ambassador to the US for the Maori King Tuheitia, and is a National Board Member of The American Judicature Society.
Kenneth B. Marcus has been named “Lawyer of the Year” in Honolulu by The Best Lawyers in America©, selected to the “Top 25” Hawaii Super Lawyers® list, in Chambers and Partners USA Directory of Leading Lawyers for Business and is a member of the International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC). Mr. Marcus has structured numerous successful hotel management agreements and authored the Hawaii State Bar Association Real Estate Manual chapter.
Christina N. Ohira has been named to The Best Lawyers in America© list, selected to the Hawaii Super Lawyers® list and is in Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide. Ms. Ohira concentrates her practice in the areas of real estate and commercial transactions, and has received Martindale-Hubbell's® highest possible “AV Preeminent®” rating for her legal skill and integrity.
Lindsay E. Orman has been named to The Best Lawyers in America©:list, Chambers and Partners USA Leading Lawyers for Business, Hawaii Super Lawyers® list, and is rated AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell’s® highest rating possible for her skill and integrity. Ms. Orman focuses her practice in areas of real estate and land use law, business law, and legislative and government relations work. Ms. Orman served as a law clerk to Chief Judge Emily Hewitt in the United States Court of Federal Claims in Washington, DC. She is admitted to the Hawaii Bar and earned her Juris Doctor from The George Washington University Law School, graduating with "High Honors.”
Sara S.T. Strona has been named to The Best Lawyers in America©: Ones to Watch list, selected to the Hawaii Super Lawyers® list, and is rated AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell’s® highest rating possible for her skill and integrity. Ms. Strona focuses her practice in the areas of real estate, commercial transactions, and business structure and operations. She is admitted to the Hawaii Bar and earned her Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration from the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law and Shidler College of Business.
