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Home My WebLink AboutCC.21 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 April 2, 2024 Via Electronic Mail only Kendra K. Kawai, Esq. Torkildson Katz Topa Financial Center, Bishop Street Tower 700 Bishop Street, 15th Floor Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96813-4187 kkawai@torkildson.com Dear Ms. Kawai: Re: Fiscal Year 2023-24 Professional Services: Supplemental Statement of Qualifications (SOQs) Thank you for submitting your firm’s supplemental Statement 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 now qualified to perform services in 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) Kendra K. Kawai, Esq. Torkildson Katz April 2, 2024 Page 2 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) 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. you have any questions or concerns, please contact Amy Bautista at corpcounsel@hawaiicounty.gov or (808) 961-8251. Respectfully, Dakota (Cody) Frenz Deputy Corporation Counsel Chair, 2023-24 Professional Services Statement of Qualifications Review Committee (additional submission) cc: Lincoln S.T. Ashida (via electronic mail only) [e-mail: lincoln.ashida@torkildson.com] Kendra K. Kawai, Esq. Torkildson Katz April 2, 2024 Page 3 bcc: County of Hawai‘i, Procurement with enclosure (application packet) TORKILDSON KATZ A LAW CORPORATION 700 BISHOP STREET, 15TH FLOOR HONOLULU, HI 96813 TELEPHONE (808) 523-6000 • FACSIMILE (808) 523-6001 HILO OFFICE • 120 PAUAHI STREET, SUITE 312 • HILO, HI 96720 • TELEPHONE (808) 961-0406 • FACSIMILE (808) 961-3815 KENDRA K. KAWAI DIRECT DIAL: (808) 523-6000 E-MAIL: KKAWAI@TORKILDSON.COM March 20, 2024 Via Email: corpcounsel@hawaiicounty.gov Attn: Elizabeth A. Strance Corporation Counsel, County of Hawai‘i 101 Aupuni Street, Suite 325 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 Re: Letter of Interest and Statement of Qualifications to Provide Investigative Services to the County of Hawai‘i Dear Ms. Strance: This responds to the County of Hawaii’s additional notice to submit letters of interest and statements of qualifications to provide legal and/or investigative services for the County of Hawai‘i on a contract basis as the need arises for the July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024 fiscal year. The information requested by the notice is as follows: 1. The name of the firm or person, contact information including email address, the principal place of business, and location of all of its offices. Kendra K. Kawai, Esq., Director, Torkildson Katz, Topa Financial Center, Bishop Street Tower, 700 Bishop Street, 15th Floor, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813-4187, phone: (808) 523-6000, fax: (808) 523-6001, e-mail: kkawai@torkildson.com. Our law firm also has an office located at 120 Pauahi Street, Suite 312, Hilo, Hawaii 96720. 2. The age of the firm and its average number of employees over the past five years. Founded in 1947, Torkildson Katz is an “AV” rated law firm with offices in Honolulu and Hilo. This year, the firm celebrated 76 years of service to the business community. The firm provides Hawaii, domestic and international corporations a range of expert legal services, including labor and employment law, business litigation, corporate law, health care law, tax planning and litigation, real estate transactions, liquor and administrative licensing, and immigration law. Currently, our law firm has 19 attorneys. Corporation Counsel, County of Hawai‘i March 20, 2024 Page 2 3. The education, training, and qualifications of the individual, or if a firm, its key employees in accordance with HRS Sec. 103D-304 and/or the professional and scientific occupation series contained in the United States Office of Personnel Management’s Qualifications Standards Handbook (https://www.opm.gov/policydata-oversight/classification- qualifications/general-schedule-qualificationstandards/#url=GS-PROF); I earned a B.A. degree in Political Science from University of California, San Diego and a J.D. degree from the University of Oregon Law School; and was employed as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Colleen Hirai (retired), 2002-2004; Deputy Corporation Counsel for the City and County of Honolulu, 2004-2007; 2014-2015; attorney with Torkildson Katz 2007 – 2014; 2015 – present. 4. A list of recent projects and the names of up to five clients who may be contacted, including at least two for whom services were rendered during the preceding year The following clients for whom services were rendered during the preceding year may be contacted – (1) Margarete Hester (808) 543-1523; (2) Christina Cox (808) 941-9415; (3) Brandy Oki (808) 844-8352; and (4) Shari Lynn Lee (808) 924-0203. 5. Any promotional or descriptive literature which the firm desires to submit. See my comprehensive background and qualifications in my attached resume. I also obtained the SHRM-CP credential in August 2022. Thank you for your time and consideration. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions. Very truly yours, TORKILDSON KATZ A Law Corporation Kendra K. Kawai Enclosure KENDRA K. KAWAI 700 Bishop Street, 15th Floor ● Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96813 ● 808.523.5335 ● kkawai@torkildson.com EDUCATION UNIVERSITY OF OREGON SCHOOL OF LAW Juris Doctorate, 2002 University of California – San Diego B.A. Political Science, 1998 PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS SOCIETY FOR HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (SHRM) HAWAI‘I CHAPTER, EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION Member of Programs Committee (2008-2014; 2018-present) and Co-Chair of Programs Committee (2011- 2012) CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF HAWAI‘I Member of Board of Directors (2018-present) PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE TORKILDSON KATZ, HONOLULU, HAWAI‘I, 2015 - PRESENT SENIOR COUNSEL/DIRECTOR, LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW SECTION Defended employers in all aspects of labor and employment law matters before state and federal courts and administrative agencies. Drafted and reviewed employment agreements, independent contractor agreements, and settlement documents. Advised clients as to wage and hour, family leave law, and disability issues and participated in interest arbitration proceedings that resulted in successful outcomes for government agencies. Conducted independent fact-finding investigations. KEY ACHIEVEMENTS: • Served as co-counsel in interest arbitrations representing various government employers and obtained favorable results on behalf of management. • Successfully served as first-chair counsel in obtaining a defense decision in an age discrimination case at arbitration on behalf of employer (December 2018). • Assisted with the update and publication of the Chamber Desk Manual, created list of presentation topics, and organized the firm’s participation at the Annual Employment Law Seminar hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of Hawai‘i (August 2019). DEPARTMENT OF THE CORPORATION COUNSEL, CITY & COUNTY OF HONOLULU, HONOLULU, HAWAI‘I, 2014-2015 DEPUTY CORPORATION COUNSEL, COUNSELING & DRAFTING DIVISION, PERSONNEL SECTION Advised City departments on labor and employment law matters. Managed workers’ compensation appeals before the State of Hawai‘i Labor and Industrial Relations Appeals Board. Drafted legal advisory memoranda on various issues. Reviewed contractual agreements for City departments. TORKILDSON, KATZ, MOORE, HETHERINGTON & HARRIS, HONOLULU, HAWAI‘I, 2007-2014 ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY/SENIOR ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY, LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW SECTION Defended employers in all aspects of labor and employment law matters before state and federal courts and administrative agencies. Drafted and reviewed employment agreements, independent contractor agreements, and settlement documents. Advised clients as to wage and hour, family leave law, and disability issues and reviewed and updated employee handbooks. KEY ACHIEVEMENTS: • Served as co-counsel in obtaining summary judgment in a race and sex discrimination case in federal court on behalf of an employer, prevailed on appeal to the Ninth Circuit in 2009 and successfully defeated plaintiff's application for certiorari to the United States Supreme Court in 2010. 2 DEPARTMENT OF THE CORPORATION COUNSEL, CITY & COUNTY OF HONOLULU, HONOLULU, HAWAI‘I, 2004-2007 DEPUTY CORPORATION COUNSEL, LITIGATION DIVISION Litigated several jury trials in state and federal court as either first or second chair. Cases included: civil rights violations, employer retaliation, breach of contract and tort. Managed a caseload of approximately 20 cases. HONORABLE COLLEEN HIRAI (RET.), CHIEF JUDGE, CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIRST CIRCUIT, STATE OF HAWAII 2002-2004 LAW CLERK Drafted bench memos, conducted research, and managed weekly hearings. 3043789V2