HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC.19 Torkildson Katz, A Law CorporationCOUNTY OF HAWAI‘I
OFFICE OF THE CORPORATION COUNSEL
101 Aupuni Street, Suite 325 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 Phone (808) 961-8251 Fax (808) 961-8622
Hawai`i County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider
Mitchell D. Roth
Mayor
Elizabeth A. Strance
Corporation Counsel
J S. Yoshimoto
Assistant Corporation
Counsel
July 26, 2023
Via Electronic Mail only
Lincoln S.T. Ashida
Torkildson Katz
120 Pauahi Street, Suite 312
Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720-3048
lincoln.ashida@torkildson.com
Dear Mr. Ashida:
Re: Fiscal Year 2023-24 Professional Services: Statement of Qualifications (SOQs)
Thank you for submitting your firm’s Statement(s) of Qualifications for providing
professional services to the Office of the Corporation Counsel, County of Hawai‘i.
Based upon the information provided, the Department’s review committee has
determined that your firm is qualified to perform services for the following category(ies):
CC.1) Attorney/Law (Civil Rights Defense)
CC.2) Attorney/Law (General Personal Injury Defense)
CC.3) Attorney/Law (Criminal Defense of County Employees)
CC.4) Attorney/Law (General defense in civil matters, including
administrative proceedings)
CC.5) Attorney/Law (Federal and State Tax)
CC.6) Attorney/Law (Worker's Compensation)
CC.7) Attorney/Law (Constitutional)
CC.8) Attorney/Law (Public Sector Employment)
CC.9) Attorney/Law (Public Financing)
CC.10) Attorney/Law (Drafting of Legislation and Administrative Rules)
CC.11) Attorney/Law (Real Estate)
CC.12) Attorney/Law (Land Use, Planning)
CC.13) Attorney/Law (Class Actions)
CC.14) Attorney/Law (Procurement)
CC.15) Attorney/Law (Enforcement of Federal, State and County Law)
CC.16) Attorney/Law (Condemnation)
CC.17) Attorney/Law (Construction Litigation)
CC.18) Attorney/Law (Bankruptcy)
CC.19) Attorney/Law (Commercial Transactions)
Lincoln S.T. Ashida
Torkildson Katz
July 26, 2023
Page 2
CC.20) Attorney/Law (Collections)
CC.21) Attorney/Law (Fair Labor Standards Act and other laws related to
compensation)
CC.22) Attorney/Law (Environmental)
CC.23) Attorney/Law (Regulatory)
Your firm will remain on the Department’s List of Qualified Providers of Professional
Services until June 30, 2024. For your information, this list may be utilized by any
County agency during this time period.
When the need for professional services arises, a selection committee will review the
qualifications of firms on the list in the appropriate category. Professional services
procurements that equal or exceed $5,000.00 are posted on the County’s website within
seven (7) days of the contract award.
Thank you for your interest in providing professional services to the County of Hawai i. If
you have any questions or concerns, please contact Amy Bautista at
corpcounsel@hawaiicounty.gov or (808) 961-8251.
Respectfully,
Lerisa L. Heroldt
Deputy Corporation Counsel
Litigation Section Chief
Chair, 2023-24 Professional Services Statement of Qualifications Review Committee
cc: Jonathan K. Maesato, Legal Assistant (via e-mail only)
Jonathan.Maesato@torkildson.com
Lincoln S.T. Ashida
Torkildson Katz
July 26, 2023
Page 3
bcc: County of Hawai‘i, Procurement with enclosure (application packet)
TORKILDSON KATZ
A LAW CORPORATION
120 PAUAHI STREET,SuITE 312
HIL0,HAwAII 96720-3048
TELEPHONE (808)961-0406 •FACSIMILE (808)961-3815
LINCOLN S.T.ASHIDA
DIRECT DIAL:(808)747-8317
E-MAIL:LSA@TORKILOSON.COM
June 30,2023
Submitted via email corpcounsel@Hawaiicounty.gov
Honorable Elizabeth A.Strance
Corporation Counsel
County of Hawai’i
Hilo Lagoon Centre,Suite 325
101 Aupuni Street
Hilo,Hawai’i 96720
RE:Professional Services
Torkildson Katz,A Law Corporation
Office of the County Attorney
CC.2)General Personal Injury Defense
CC.4)General defense in civil matters
CC.8)Public Sector Employment
CC.1O)Drafting of Legislation and Administrative Rules
CC.19)Commercial Transactions
Dear Corporation Counsel Strance:
Please accept this letter and enclosures on behalf of Torkildson Katz,A Law Corporation
responding to the County of Hawai’i’s (“County”)Notice for Professional Services,relating to
legal services.We submit our interest in all legal service areas described in the Notice.
Torkildson Katz,A Law Corpoi-ation was founded in 1947 and has grown into one of
Hwai’i’s premier business-oriented law firms.The firm s committed to providing the highest
quality legal service while leveraging the depth of our experience and the breadth of our
specialized expertise.The firm represents a broad base of clients ranging from large multi
national corporations,to closely held corporations,partnerships,families,and individuals.The
firm of 17 lawyers and 12 support personnel maintain offices in Honolulu and Hilo.
Enclosed is my curriculum vitae.With my background as the longest serving
Corporation Counsel in the history of the County of Hawai’i,extensive trial and motions
experience,and work in corporate and administrative law,I am uniquely qualified to serve your
needs in litigation,business,employment,and advisory matters.Complete biographies of our
HONOLULU OFFICE -700 BISHOP STREET,15TH FLOOR HONOLULU-HAWAI I 96813-4187-TELEPHONE (808)523-6000 -FACSIMILE (808)523-6001
3178334v1
County of Hawai’i
June 30,2023
Page 2
firm attorneys and specialized practice areas may be found at our firm website at
https://www.torkildson .com.
With respect to specific business-related and litigation cases and matters I personally
handle,I currently represent Philip Morris USA in tobacco litigation in the State of Hawai’i,The
Lloyds Corporation (Lloyds of London),Bitesquad,the Boy Scouts of America,Doordash,CVS
Pharmacies,Dave &Busters,KTA Superstores,among other national and local businesses.I
currently represent the County of Hawai’i Department of Water Supply in pending contract law
litigation,as well as the Honolulu Ethics Commission in three matters.I have previously
successfully represented the Target Corporation,Walmart Stores,and the University of Hawai’i
in three separate litigation matters.I am also counsel for Kamehameha Schools in Third Circuit
Court litigation matters.
Recent and current clients that may be contacted for reference purposes include the
following:
Ferrell Daste
Chief Executive Officer
Kona Hills LLC
8 1-964 Haleki’i St.
Kealakekua,HI 96750
Charles D.Coleman,Esq.
Deputy General Counsel
Boy Scouts of America
1325 W.Walnut Hill Lane
Irving,TX 75015-2079
Nancy Cabral
President
Day-Lurn Rentals and Management
2 Kamehameha Ave.
Hilo,HI 96720
Debi Lukterihouse Frost
President
Hawai’i Tropical Botanical Garden
27-7 17 Mamalahoa Hwy.
Papaikou,HI 96781
Jan Yarnane,Esq.
Executive Director and Chief Legal Counsel
Honolulu Ethics Commission
925 Dillingham Blvd.,#190
Honolulu,HI 96817
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County of Hawai’i
June 30,2023
Page 3
With an office in Hilo and the support of a large number of lawyers on Oahu,together
with our familiarity with local municipal government,our firm is poised to provide support for
the County of Hawai’i as special counsel or co-counsel as the need arises for the Office of the
Corporation Counsel.We are well suited to assist the County of Hawai’i in its legal needs,as
our three Hilo-based attorneys have deep roots in our local community,and have the benefit of
specialized resources from our Honolulu office.We remain very competitively priced and are
prepared to provide the County of Hawai’i with the very best legal service.
Thank you again for your kind consideration,and we look forward to providing services
to the Office of the Corporation Counsel,and serving the needs of our County of Hawai’i.
Very truly yours,
TORKILDSON KATZ
A Law Corporation
Lincoln S.T.Ashida
Ends.
3178334v1
LINCOLN S.T.ASHIDA
P0 Box 10040
Hilo,Hawaii 96721
(808)895-4977
Personal e—mail:Lincolnashida@gmail.com
Torkildson Katz
A Law Corporation
120 Pauahi Street,Suite 312
Hilo,Hawai’i 96720
(808)961-0406
Office of the Corporation Counsel
County of Hawai’i
Hilo Lagoon Centre,Ste.312
101 Aupuni Street
HiIo,Hawai’i 96720
(808)961-8251
Office of the Prosecuting Attorney
County of Hawai’i
655 Kilauea Avenue
Hilo,Hawai’i 96720
(808)961-0466
University of Hawai’i Hilo
200 W.Kawili Street
Hilo,Hawai’i 96720
(808)974-7460
Law Intern/Clerking Experience:
Dwyer,Pohren,Wood,Heavey &Grimm
1823 Harney Street,Suite 300
Omaha,Nebraska 68102
(402)344-3802
Office of the Prosecuting Attorney
County of Hawai’i
655 Kilauea Avenue
Hilo,Hawai’i 96720
(808)961-0466
Director/Partner specializing in litigation,administrative
law,labor and employment law,corporate transactions,
and government sector law.Extensive trial/motions
practice and legal research and writing.Service to non-
profits and other organizations throughout the State of
Hawaii.
May 2014 to Present.
Appointed in 2000 as Corporation Counsel,serving as
chief legal counsel for the County of Hawai’i.Developed
comprehensive training programs for County
employees,coordinated statewide training for municipal
attorneys,and protected County via aggressive
litigation.Extensive administrative experience.
December 2000 to April 2014.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney trying felony cases
including sexual assault and homicide;extensive
motions and trial experience.Promoted to supervisor in
1991;supervised Sexual Assault,Domestic Violence,
Family Court,District Court,Circuit Court,and Violence
Against Women and Children Units and prosecutions.
Pioneered the County’s Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner
Program.
November 1987 to December 2000.
Political Science and Administration of Justice Division
lecturer in Introduction to Legal Systems,Public
Administration,Constitutional Law,Criminal Law and
Procedure,Courtroom Trial Practices.
Fall 1994 to Present.
Law clerk performing legal research and preparing legal
memoranda,with primary concentration in bankr[i)tcy,
federal and state tax,and business litigation.
September 1986 to June 1987.
Law intern performing legal research and preparing
legal memoranda.Extensive Westlaw research
experience.
June-August 1985,1986,1987
Work Experience:
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Education:
University of Michigan Creighton University School of Law
Ann Arbor,Michigan Omaha,Nebraska
Bachelor of Arts,Economics,1984 Juris Doctor,1987
Hilo High School
Hilo,Hawai’i
High School Diploma,1980
Awards:
•2009 statewide recipient of the Hawai’i State Bar Association C.Frederick Schutte
award for outstanding contribution to the legal profession in the State of Hawai’i.
•2010 statewide recipient of the Hawai’i State Bar Association GovernmentLawyer’s
Section Pro Bono Service Award for outstanding contribution to the community in
providing pro bono service and leadership.
•1980 Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout Award recipient.
Activities:
•Member,Committee on Initiatives to Enhance Civil Justice —Hawai’i Access to
Justice Commission
•Member of Hawai’i Island Chamber of Commerce,Japanese Chamber of
Commerce and Industry of Hawaii (Past President),Portuguese Chamber
of Commerce,East Hawai’i Hiroshima Kenjinkai (Vice President)and
Japanese Community Association (President).
•Past President and founding member of Kalanianaole School Foundation
•Past President of Kamehameha Schools Hawai’i Campus Parent-TeacherOhana
•Past President and current member of Hawai’i County Bar Association.
•Member of the Hawai’i State BarAssociation
•Past District Chairman and current member of Boy Scouts of America Pukahi District
•Past President of Volunteer Legal Services Hawai’i
•Lecturer,University of Hawai’i at Hilo
•Member of University of Michigan Alumni Association
•Member of Creighton University School of Law Alumni Association
•Pro Bono legal counsel for University of Hawai’i at Hilo Vulcan Boosters
•Arbitrator,Third Circuit Court Annexed Arbitration Program
•Past Board Member,Hawaii Japanese Cultural Center
•Member of Michigan Economic Society —University of Michigan
•Member of International Moot Court Board —Creighton University School of Law
•Member of National District Attorneys Association
•Member of International Municipal Lawyers Association
•Judge of high school and college mock trial competitions
References,University of Michigan and Creighton University School of Law
academic transcripts available upon request
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