John A. Morris

Joseph A. Ernst is a Director of the firm and a member of the employment law department. His practice involves counseling and defending employers in all aspects of employment law, including defense of wrongful discharge, discrimination, harassment, whistleblower, and retaliation claims. He also assists clients with employer compliance with state and federal employment and labor laws. Practice Areas: Labor and Employment, Employment Litigation, Employment Compliance, Labor Relations

Mark Murakami practices in the firm's Dispute Resolution, Real Estate, Construction, and Business & Commercial Law practice groups. His focus is on complex commercial disputes, land use negotiation and litigation, environmental, and general civil litigation. He has appeared in all federal and states courts in Hawaii, most of the administration boards and commissions, and is licensed in the U.S. Supreme Court, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and Court of Federal Claims. He is rated by Marti...

Craig G. Nakamura is the Administrative Partner in the firm's Maui Office and is a member of the Litigation practice group. He concentrates his practice in the areas of real estate and general corporate law. Mr. Nakamura has extensive experience in commercial real estate, civil litigation, construction disputes, foreclosures, mediation and arbitration. He was recently selected by attorney peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2018 in the fields of Litigation - Real Estate and Rea...

Kenneth Y. Sugita is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Corporate Law. Kenneth Y. practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii Best Lawyers has recognized Kenneth Y. Sugita since 2013. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Kenneth Y. Sugita is held by other lawyers.

Ms. Strona is a Director of the firm. Ms. Strona focuses her practice in the areas of commercial real estate transactions, leasing, commercial asset and equity sales and acquisitions, and corporate law. Ms. Strona has been selected to the Hawaii Super Lawyers® list since 2025, and the Hawaii Super Lawyers®, "Rising Star" list in the practice area of Real Estate Law since 2020. Ms.Strona has been named to T he Best Lawyers in America ® 2027 list in the practice areas of Corporate L...

Hawaii litigation lawyer Terence O’Toole is a Director of the Starn O’Toole Marcus & Fisher law firm. Mr. O’Toole leads the litigation team with over 50 years experience in the area of commercial and complex litigation. Mr. O’Toole is one of the most highly awarded trial litigators in the State of Hawaii. When betting the company is on the line, Mr. O’Toole is often referred to as the “go-to guy” for the most complex litigation matters, representi...

Published Works · Articles on Litigation (Co-Authored) Representative Cases · IEL Liquidation Proceedings, Wayne C. Metcalf, Insurance v. Gary L. Vose, et al · HIG Rehabilitation, HUI/UNICO Liquidation and Linda v. Hawaiian Electric Co. · State v. Kealakekua Ranch · Maunawili Lessees v. Trustees of Castle Estate · State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. v. Robinol, 699 F.Supp. 819 (D.Hawai'i 1988) · Tilton v. Rivera · Eder v. County of Kauai and ...

Joanne Grimes is a Partner in the firm’s Honolulu Office and is licensed to practice law in Hawaii and Guam. She has over two decades of experience in representing institutional businesses, nonprofit organizations, and private and charitable trusts in matters involving governance, employment & employee benefits, procurement, contracts, proprietary rights protection, fiduciary duties and trust administration. Ms. Grimes is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional and is acti...

Michael R. Cruise is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Michael R. practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii Best Lawyers has recognized Michael R. Cruise since 2017. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Michael R. Cruise is held by other lawy...

Robert Katz, Director, has been practicing law in Hawaii for over 40 years. During that time he has counseled and represented Hawaii, Mainland and International based clients in both the private and public sectors in antitrust, business, employment and labor and health care transactions and litigation. Mr. Katz has appeared successfully before Hawaii and federal administrative agencies, arbitrators and Hawaii and federal courts. He has also represented both public and private Hawaii, mainland...