Galiher DeRobertis Ono

Antitrust

The attorneys in this firm (Gary O. Galiher, L. Richard DeRobertis, Jeffrey T. Ono) have been appointed as special deputy attorneys general on behalf of the State of Hawaii to represent the State of Hawaii in certain highly publicized antitrust suits. In both cases, this firm was chosen after a bid selection procurement process.

Tobacco

The first antitrust suit was State of Hawaii vs. Brown & Williamson, filed in 1991, whereby Hawaii became the 20th state to sue the Tobacco Industry for its out-of-pocket losses caused by tobacco-induced diseases. This resulted in a complete settlement of Hawaii's claims with the previously unbeaten Tobacco Industry for $1.38 billion.

Gasoline

In 1998, Galiher DeRobertis Ono was chosen as local counsel to sue the wholesale Gasoline Industry for illegal price-fixing and market allocation. Until 1998, Hawaii had the highest retail gasoline prices in the country, even after adjusting for sales tax.

In December 1999, two defendants, representing a minority of the Hawaii market settled for $15 million. It is noteworthy that Hawaii retail gasoline prices are now below those in California, whereas before the suit was filed, Hawaii prices averaged 20 cents or more per gallon over California prices.