Business

A Client-Focused Hawaii Business Law Firm

Starn O’Toole Marcus & Fisher business attorneys assist clients with the formation, growth, maintenance and management of corporations, general and limited partnerships, limited liability companies and non-profit organizations. Our Honolulu business law firm has extensive experience negotiating and drafting partnership agreements, shareholder agreements and limited liability company operating agreements.

Firm transactional attorneys represent clients located in Hawaii, the US and internationally in the purchase and sale of business entities and business assets that range from acquisition of membership interests in closely held limited liability companies, to the acquisition of majority control of publicly held and traded corporations.

Our firm has trusted alliances with professionals specializing in labor law, tax and estate planning among others, effectively creating an experienced team customized for each client and their legal matters.

Trusted Business Advisors, Hawaii, The US Mainland, International

Attorneys at our firm are often called upon to act as general business counsel to clients, many times offering a sounding board for ideas and proposed actions. Starn O’Toole Marcus & Fisher transactional attorneys possess the business background and experience to evaluate a client’s proposed actions from both business and legal standpoints. Firm attorneys are skilled at examining potential business risks and rewards, and possible legal exposure or advantages that a particular action may present.

Business Law Attorneys at Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher

Trevor A. Brown has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America© in twelve litigation and transactional categories, named a “Lawyer of the Year” in Honolulu by The Best Lawyers in America©, 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.

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, is 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 co-founder of the firm, named a  “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 recognized for his expertise in real estate, corporate and construction law.

Ivan M. Lui-Kwan has been named a “Lawyer of the Year” in Honolulu by The Best Lawyers in America©, selected to the Hawaii Super Lawyers® list and rated AV Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell®. Mr. Lui-Kwan is the Ambassador to the US for the Maori King Tuheitia, and National Board Member of The American Judicature Society. He is Past Chairman of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) Board. 

Kenneth B. Marcus is recognized by The Best Lawyers in America©, named a “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® Rising Star list, and has received Martindale-Hubbell's®  highest possible AV Preeminent® rating for her legal skill and integrity. Ms. Ohira concentrates her practice in the areas of real estate and commercial transactions.

Lindsay E.Orman has been named to The Best Lawyers in America©: Ones to Watch list, selected to the Hawaii Super Lawyers® “Rising Star" list and is rated AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell’s®  highest rating possible for her skill and integrity. Ms. Orman represents clients in connection with business transactions, including acquisitions and asset purchases. She also advises clients regarding business structure and operations matters, including entity formation, registrations, and creation of governing documents.

Sara S.T. Strona has been named to The Best Lawyers in America©: Ones to Watch list, selected to the Hawaii Super Lawyers® “Rising Star” list and is rated AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell’s® highest rating possible for her skill and integrity. Ms. Strona represents clients in connection with the purchase and sale of businesses and assets as well as entity formation and business structuring.  Her practice also includes commercial real estate transactions.  She is admitted to the Hawaii Bar, and earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Hawaii, William S. Richardson School of Law.

Honolulu Business Lawyers - Practice Areas

Starn O’Toole Marcus & Fisher transactional attorneys evaluate legal matters by first gaining an understanding of the operational side of running the client’s business. The evaluation process may uncover potential legal issues involving real estate and business concerns, or a need to update management contracts because of changes in the law. The list below is non-exhaustive.

Commercial Contracts

Ongoing agreements and contracts should be reviewed on an annual basis by legal counsel. Laws that apply to the business often change, making existing documents obsolete and potentially exposed to legal issues. Norman Cheng’s family business experience, offers a unique operational perspective that is valuable to the many business owners he counsels.

Corporate Law

The formation of a new business, or an offshoot of an existing business, should generate many questions about the new entity’s corporate governance and finances. Decisions about how the company will be run and how the finances of the company will be used, may be decided with better clarity when discussed with impartial legal counsel. Duane Fisher has provided numerous businesses, in a variety of growth stages, with legal guidance in this practice area.

Government and Regulatory Affairs

Business of all sizes experience regulation at the federal, state and local level. Our Honolulu business attorneys are experienced guides, having helped numerous clients successfully navigate Hawaii’s complex permitting requirements and regulations. Firm attorney, Ivan M. Lui-Kwan has held prominent positions in local government, and has an extensive knowledge about Hawaii government relations law and land use issues.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Continued business growth is often accelerated with the merger or acquisition of another company. In some instances, the continued existence of one company may require a legal relationship agreement with another business to survive. Starn O’Toole Marcus & Fisher’s business attorneys are experienced in sophisticated negotiations and deal making. Hawaii business lawyers Peter Starn and Kenneth B. Marcus draw upon years of business and corporate finance experience to plan for possible moves and counter-moves that may be presented in negotiations.

Wireless Communication

The global communications industry will continue to experience rapid growth as technology advances, often necessitating legal guidance to address ever-changing regulatory issues at the local, state and Federal levels. Duane Fisher has represented wireless communications carriers from inception through development and operation of their networks in Hawaii.

Business Consultation

Corporations, non-profits, small businesses, or start-ups, may all benefit from seasoned legal advice to help examine the risk and rewards of prospective actions.

Closely Held Companies

This practice area requires skill in dealing with various forms of business organizations, while simultaneously dealing with the personal relationships amongst the owners. Trevor A. Brown, possesses experience in corporate, limited liability, and trust matters that has enabled him to advise clients regarding control and valuation issues, and, as necessary, to litigate disputes in both circuit and probate court.