Government Affairs & Administrative Law

Hawaii Government Affairs and Administrative Law Attorneys

Starn O’Toole Marcus & Fisher’s Hawaii Government Affairs and Administrative Law attorneys provide strategic advice and assistance to clients in their dealings with state and local government.

At the state level, we work with state agencies such as the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Education, Historic Preservation Division, and the Department of Taxation, on a variety of client projects. For example, we routinely appear before the Board of Land and Natural Resources (the governing body of the Department of Land and Natural Resources) in public hearings to obtain leases, licenses, permits and other approvals from the Board.

On the county level, we work with agencies such as the City & County of Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting, the County of Hawaii Planning Department, and the Maui County Planning Department to advance client projects and to obtain permits for development.

We also advise our clients on state and local legislative matters before the Hawaii State Legislature, Honolulu City Council and other county legislative bodies, and work closely with lawmakers and administrators on behalf of our clients. We have successfully drafted legislation that has become law, including amendments to the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu Land Use Ordinance, and have successfully opposed legislation that is adverse to our clients’ interests.

Government Affairs and Administrative Law Attorneys at Starn O’Toole Marcus & Fisher

Directors

Doug Chin has been named to The Best Lawyers in America© list, 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 served as Hawaii Attorney General, appointed by Governor David Ige.

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. Mr. Lui-Kwan was the recipient of the “2014 Lifetime Achievement Award” given by Pacific Edge Magazine.

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.

Lindsay E. Orman has been selected to The Best Lawyers in America©, Ones to Watch list, is rated AV Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell® and has been selected to the Hawaii Super Lawyers® "Rising Star" list in the practice area of Real Estate Law since 2018. Ms. Orman is a registered lobbyist with the State of Hawaii, City and County of Honolulu, and Hawaii County. She assists clients with drafting proposed legislation and testimony, preparing legal analyses, meeting with key stakeholders, and complying with campaign spending and other reporting requirements. Ms. Orman is a member of the NAIOP Commercial Real Estate Development Association Government Affairs Committee.

Maile S. Miller has been selected to The Best Lawyers in America©, Ones to Watch list, selected to the Hawaii Super Lawyers®, "Rising Star" list each year since 2018, and is rated AV Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell®. Ms. Miller represents clients in 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.

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 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 from the University of Hawaii, William S. Richardson School of Law.

What People Say:

"Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher's work on our case has been excellent. The attorneys have been extremely responsive, communicating with us timely on litigation strategy, legal arguments, and other litigation aspects. Their legal briefing in our case is clear, concise, and extremely persuasive and well-researched."
-Best Law Firms Client Comment

"Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher serves as my firm's general counsel. Their attorneys are always responsive, timely, proactive, and look out for our best interests in a thorough yet pragmatic way. They truly understand our operations, and I view them as a key member of my management group."
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Practice Areas

Distinctions

What People Say About Us

"Doug Chin and Sara Tsukamoto Strona are primary contacts at Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher. Both are extremely good at what they do and exceptional at government relations and regulatory compliance."
Best Law Firms, Client Comment

"Doug Chin at Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher is very familiar with our particular regulatory agency here in Hawaii. He is an excellent and effective communicator with not only us, but with government agencies as well, he presents our organization to them in such a positive light. Doug's hardworking and persevering qualities, in addition to his patience and responsiveness, has made an impactful and smoother transition for our leadership team when working with Government agencies. Mahalo to Doug for his expertise and assistance!"
Best Law Firms, Client Comment

"My experience with Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher has been fantastic. The team has been helped us navigate governmental and cultural complexities throughout a volatile and complex request for proposal process involving county and state elected officials. In addition, they have helped connect us with other local agencies with skillsets outside of their scope that have strengthened our presence. Without their support, there is no way we would have had the same level of success."
Best Law Firms, Client Comment

"Doug Chin and Sara Strona of Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher have provided valuable service to a mutual client in a complex matter. They have communicated well and wisely. Their work has been of high quality and their approach to problem solving has been practical and actionable."
Best Law Firms, Client Comment

"We have had an exceptional experience with Doug Chin at Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher. His knowledge of administrative and regulatory law is of the highest quality. He explains his findings and approach to the situation to us at our Hawaiian association in very simple terms and keeps things concise and on point! We highly recommend attorney Doug Chin to any organization needing assistance in these areas and are very thankful to him!"
Best Law Firms, Client Comment