May it Pleeeaaaassseee the Court!!!

First - the link to the livestream replay here

(Click the link above to view the livestream replay of the argument)

Wow, the Supreme Court Oral Argument, My First Ever, Went So Well!

Not only did it go well, but it actually was fun too! ‘5 of 5 stars,’ ‘would def. recommend,’ ‘I will 100% be coming back.’ Before we get into the details, however, ‘Mahalo’s’ are in order. Thank you so much to everyone who supported - whether by tuning in live, viewing the argument after the fact (link above), reading the blog, posting a ‘like’, or whatever it may be - thank you! 1000 times thank you!

And Some Huge Mahalo’s to the Following:

  • William Rosdill (my fearless and experienced co-counsel) for bringing me on the case and for being so passionate about fighting for the ‘little guy’;

  • Hayden Aluli (my uncle, & Maui appellate and defense attorney) for running mock-trials with me to help me prepare;

  • Rebecca Copeland (my mentor) for guiding me early on in my career and giving me the confidence to break off on my own;

  • Sinclair Salas-Ferguson and Teresa Tumbaga (my two best friends, & stellar attorneys on Big Island) for keeping me laughing during my argument preparations; and

  • My Mom and Sisters for listening to countless mock-trial arguments, for providing a shoulder to cry on when needed, and for being my biggest fans.

  • The day would not have been such a success without you all!!!

The Big Question - What About the Final Decision on the Case???!!!

I know, I know. It is such a let down that the decision doesn’t come right away once the argument is pau, but that is ok given that we want a decision that is well-reasoned and thought out. Because of that, and given the caseload the Supreme Court is laboring under, I do not expect a decision until October at the soonest. =( Fingers crossed!

What’s Next for the Justices???

(caveat: I’ve never been a SC Justice, so I’m just mansplaining/guessing here) The Justices will continue hearing other cases for the next few weeks. When they are not hearing cases, they will discuss together and amongst their staff the merits of JBNC v. Namahoe. They will each prepare draft decisions which will be circulated and debated amongst the Justices. Ultimately, they will settle on a decision and on a draft. Once it is finalized, it will be published, and, best of all, the decision has the power to become new law!!! That means we could expand the protections for borrowers (in reverse mortgages) Statewide!

What’s Next for Yours Truly???

I plan to retire. Just kidding. I love doing appeals. I feel I have the best job in the world. I will keep on fighting the good fight. I have several briefs/cases pending before the Hawaii Supreme Court that are promising and several more pending before the Intermediate Court of Appeals. I also have several new cases - a few criminal and a few divorce-related - that are coming down the pike as well. Stay tuned for more to come.

(AND THANK YOU ALL FOR TUNING IN OR READING MY WORK.)