Administrative Law, Regulatory and Government Affairs

Our practice in administrative law, regulatory and government affairs encompasses a broad range of matters involving federal, state and local government agencies, including:

  • Administrative agencies and licensing boards
  • Government relations and policy
  • Procurement and government contracts
  • Tax controversy & appeals

We represent businesses, individuals and government organizations in virtually all phases of federal, state and county administrative and regulatory proceedings, including agency and departmental investigations, adjudicative rulemaking, licensing and penalty actions. When a legal matter involves government, clients know that we have the experience to guide them through the process. With attorneys having worked for state and local governments, we have an unparalleled understanding of the regulatory and administrative policies processes.

Administrative Agencies and Licensing Boards

M4 is regularly involved in virtually all phases of federal, state and county administrative agency and executive department actions. This includes agency and departmental investigations, and adjudicative rulemaking, licensing and penalty actions. This area of the Firm’s practice also includes the representation of clients in state and federal court actions seeking to mandate agency actions, to enjoin proposed or pending agency, and to overturn or support final agency determinations. In addition, the Firm represents clients before federal and state administrative agencies and departments to obtain advisory opinions and rulings on matters of particular relevance and interest to them.

One area of particular expertise is liquor licensing, where our attorneys have developed an extremely broad and deep base of liquor license-related experience, assisting the Firm’s clients with every aspect of their related needs throughout the State over the decades since the inception of the Firm.  M4’s clients in this field span the entire liquor industry in Hawaii, including, restaurants, dispensers (bars), hotels, golf courses, retail stores, manufacturing and wholesale liquor businesses. Legal services provided by our attorneys include:

  • Applying for new liquor licenses for a broad range of clients
  • Assisting with the transfer of existing liquor licenses and obtaining temporary licenses
  • Obtaining special event liquor licenses
  • Assisting and representing clients with citations and violations
  • Representing clients at hearings before the Liquor Commission, including preliminary, public and adjudication hearings

Government Relations and Policy

Our attorneys have developed strong working relationships with State and County government agencies and a deep understanding of the legal and policy considerations governing their responsibilities. This enables us to provide effective assistance to our private sector clients in administrative and regulatory matters. In addition, we are often retained to represent State and County agencies in specialized matters where we have recognized expertise. We are also called upon from time to time to assist in drafting legislation at the State or County level.

Procurement and Government Contracts

M4 advises clients of all sizes regarding State and County government procurement and contracting. Government contracts represent a substantial part of the businesses of many of our clients, and we are well versed in the nuances of Hawaii’s Procurement Code. Our practice includes government procurement and contracting, disputed contract awards, contract disputes and other issues affecting contractual relations with governmental entities.

Tax Controversy & Appeals

M4 has extensive experience in litigating issues regarding real property taxation assessments, general excise taxes and transient accommodations taxes. The Firm has successfully represented diverse players in Hawaii’s timeshare industry in real property tax controversies.

Administrative Law, Regulatory and Government Affairs

  • Representation of clients in state and federal court actions seeking to mandate agency actions, to enjoin proposed or pending agency actions and seeking to overturn or support final agency determinations.
  • Representation of clients before federal and Hawaii administrative agencies and departments to obtain advisory opinions and rulings on matters of interest to particular clients.
  • Representation of state agencies, county governments, police officers, government employees, companies being sued by the attorney general's office, and companies defending licenses.