Dealing with Obstreperous Opposing Counsel

Hawaii Women Lawyers Luncheon:

Dealing with Obstreperous Opposing Counsel

Monday, February 22 at Noon

New Location:  HSBA Conference Room, 1100 Alakea St., Suite 1000, Honolulu

New in 2016:  1 Ethics CLE Credit!

Sponsored by Hawaii Women Lawyers and the Hawaii State Bar Association

Please join us on Monday, February 22 from Noon to 1:00 p.m. to discuss tactics and strategies for dealing with obstreperous opposing counsel.

We have all encountered one: the opposing counsel who painstakingly skirts the rules, ignores civility obligations, and sends our blood pressure sky high. Hawai`i is unique in its size, which many say put lawyers on their best behavior due to the high value of one’s reputation. But what are our ethical options and duties when we encounter particularly difficult counsel across the table? What response best serves the interests of our clients? Our speakers will share personal experiences and strategies that have worked for them, how our professional rules and civility rules can help, and suggestions for when and how to turn to the court for assistance.

Speakers: 

• Claire Wong Black, Alston Hunt Floyd and Ing.  Ms. Wong Black resolves disputes. Her practice focuses on litigation, arbitration and efficient resolution of complex or large-scale commercial disputes. She also provides crisis management and legal and strategic advice to corporate clients. She practiced for five years at Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal in New York City before returning home to join Alston Hunt Floyd and Ing in 2011. Claire also maintains a substantial civil rights practice focused on public interest impact litigation.

• Dianne Winter Brookins, Alston Hunt Floyd and Ing.  Ms. Brookins is a director and shareholder of Alston Hunt Floyd & Ing. Dianne began her legal career as a judge advocate in the Marine Corps, and then spent several years litigating insurance coverage and other complex commercial disputes in Seattle and Honolulu. She served for five years as Associate General Counsel to Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc. before joining Alston Hunt Floyd & Ing in September 2001. Her practice continues to center on commercial litigation, primarily representing healthcare entities. Dianne also advises healthcare clients on matters of regulatory compliance, and shares the leadership of the firm’s Healthcare practice group.

• Florence Nakakuni, U.S. Attorney for the District of Hawaii.  Ms. Nakakuni has been the United States Attorney for the District of Hawaii since September 30, 2009. She has been employed by the United States Attorney's Office in Hawaii as an Assistant U.S. Attorney since 1985, and had most recently served as the Chief of the Organized Crime and Narcotics Section, Criminal Division, for the past four years prior to her appointment as U.S. Attorney.  She was previously employed as counsel at the Navy Office of General Counsel, Pearl Harbor, and as an attorney-advisor at the Office of Information and Privacy Appeals, U.S. Department of Justice.

Invite a friend or colleague - the more, the merrier! Please register online no later than Friday, February 19 to let us know you are coming. Bring a bag lunch or snack; beverages will be provided. And bring some of your business cards for networking, to help introduce yourself to others. Members of Hawaii Women Lawyers who attend are eligible to enter a drawing for 2 free movie tickets!

Upcoming luncheons and speakers

Monday, March 28:  Women on Boards and Commissions (CLE)

• Ellen Godbey Carson, Shareholder, Alston Hunt Floyd & Ing
• Lorraine Akiba, Commissioner, PUC

Monday, April 25: New Approaches in Caregiving for our Kupuna

• Dew-Anne Langcaon, Executive Director, Hookele Health
• Shelley Wilson, President, WilsonCare
• Tracey Wiltgen, Executive Director

Ideas for future topics and speakers at Lady Lawyers Luncheons are always welcome!

Please email Ellen Carson at ecarson@ahfi.com or Connie Chang at cchang@wik.com with any suggestions.