REAL ESTATE, TITLE & ESCROW

We have represented, and are representing, numerous corporations and other business entities in connection with their successful efforts to develop large real estate projects, including obtaining financing, land use and other governmental approvals.

We represent owners and mangers of several major shopping centers, commercial buildings, and large residential projects. We have represented corporations and individuals in lease negotiations and lease disputes involving nearly all of the major industrial and commercial developments on Oahu.

AHFI attorneys represent a number of title insurance companies in a variety of matters concerning policy coverage and litigation with their insured’s. We also represent insured’s in title litigation, including quiet title actions to establish the insured’s title, defense of adverse title claims, and disputes involving such matters as easements, boundaries, access claims, surveyors’ errors, and forged deeds, and mortgages.

On a regular basis we have advised and represented escrow companies.

Some of the services we provide to clients in this industry include:

Environmental & Cultural Resources

• Assisting clients with zoning, general and development plans, variances, zoning adjustments, special permits and representing clients before County Planning Commissions, County Councils, Zoning Boards of Appeals and Building Board of Appeals
• Advising clients on compliance with federal Coastal Zone Management Act, shoreline development issues and related state laws (Hawai`i Coastal Zone Management Act, Hawai`i Revised Statutes Chapter 205A)
• Environmental impact statements and assessments
• Advising clients on compliance with and claims under state burial laws, Hawai`i Revised Statutes, Chapter 6E
• Air and water pollution, solid and hazardous waste management

Government Affairs & Public Interest

• General consulting in government relations
• Legal analysis of legislative measures, bill tracking and monitoring
• Development of legislative and government relations strategies
• Drafting bills written testimony
• Direct lobbying on behalf of clients with respect to legislative matters and the promulgation of administrative rules

Government Procurement & Federal Grant Compliance

• Solicitation analysis, proposal and bid preparation
• Sealed bid procedures, including mistakes in bids and “two-step” sealed bid procedures
• Sealed proposals/negotiated procurement procedures, conduct discussions, and evaluation issues
• Privatization of government activities

Labor & Personal Injury Litigation

• Employment litigation including wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims
• Compensation and benefits
• Handbooks, personnel policies, employment contracts, independent contractor agreements
• Government contracting issues including affirmative action programs
• Restructuring including reductions in force, job restructuring and employment issues in acquisitions, mergers, sales
• Safety and health issues including OSHA compliance, drug testing programs, and workplace violence programs
• Proprietary rights and non-compete agreements
• Workplace privacy

Business & Personal Injury Litigation

• Americans with Disabilities Act litigation under Title II and Title III
• Unfair trade practices
• Business Torts including commercial defamation, trade, libel, and injuries to business reputation
• Construction disputes
• Commercial contract disputes
• Insurance coverage and bad faith claims
• Non-compete agreements and intellectual property disputes
• Personal injury litigation
• Real property disputes including broker’s liability and commercial lease disputes

Property & Business Transactions

• Acquisition and disposition of hotels, shopping centers, office buildings, raw land, industrial properties, warehouses
• Real property exchange transactions
• Development and construction of commercial properties
• Commercial real estate loans (i.e., negotiating and drafting loan documents, due diligence investigation of collateral, closing loan transactions) and “workouts”
• Foreclosures
• Long term ground leases and tenant relations
• Leasing and tenant relations (office building, shopping center and other commercial and multi-unit residential properties)
• Developing strategies to minimize losses due to tenant default, e.g., tenant screening options
• Intellectual property issues including protection of confidential proprietary information, trade secrets, privileges, and obtaining remedies for confidentiality breaches
• Entity formation, operations and termination
• Partnership disputes