Sharon V. Lovejoy

Sharon V. Lovejoy

Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law

3.0 (1 reviews)
Honolulu, Hawaii
38+ years experience
Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher, A Law Corporation
Updated:

Contact Information

733 Bishop Street, Suite 1900, Honolulu, HI 96813
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Bio

Sharon V. Lovejoy represents clients in a wide variety of litigation matters with primary focus in commercial, real estate and business litigation. Ms. Lovejoy has been named to The Best Lawyers in America®, "Lawyer of the Year" in Honolulu list, Appellate Practice (2020), Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law (2015, 2019, 2024, 2026) and Litigation-Banking & Finance (2014, 2022, 2025). Lovejoy is also recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® (in “Appellate Law”, "Arbitration", "Banking & Finance Litigation", "Bet-The-Company" "Commercial Litigation", "Construction Litigation", "Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law", "Environmental Litigation","Real Estate Litigation", “Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law”, "Qui Tam Law", "Land Use & Zoning Litigation" and "Mass Tort Litigation/Class Action-Defendants", "Mass Tort Litigation/Class Action-Plaintiffs"), selected for inclusion to the "Top 25", Hawaii Super Lawyers® list in 2023-2025, selected to the Hawaii Super Lawyers® list (in “Business Litigation”) since 2010, and recognized by Chambers and Partners Leading Lawyers for Business (in "Commercial Litigation").Ms. Lovejoy was honored to be appointed as a Senior Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America trial lawyer honorary society, and served a 3 year term as a lawyer delegate to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judicial Conference. She was President of the Federal Bar Association, Hawaii Chapter, 2013-14. Ms. Lovejoy is listed in Benchmark Litigation's Top 250 Women in Litigation (2011-2014), and is recognized as a "Litigation Star" by Benchmark Litigation and Benchmark Appellate. Ms. Lovejoy has been selected to the Pacific Business News list of "Women Who Mean Business" for 2018, and Pacific Edge Magazine's "Women in Business" in 2019.Ms. Lovejoy is admitted to practice law in Hawaii, Texas (Inactive), Florida (Inactive), Colorado(Inactive) and the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. Ms. Lovejoy has represented various business interests, from multi-national corporations, hospitality industry leaders and large commercial lenders, to small businesses and individual interests, in legal matters including real estate litigation, large commercial foreclosures, construction disputes, environmental litigation, landlord and tenant matters, trust and probate litigation and general business disputes.She has extensive experience in both state and federal courts, and has handled cases before appellate courts and in alternative dispute resolution forums. Ms. Lovejoy holds Martindale-Hubbell’s highest possible professional rating AV®, given to her by other legal professionals based on their knowledge of her work, reputation and integrity.Some examples of Ms. Lovejoy’s recent legal work include:Foreclosures, Lender Representation. Represented lenders in various large commercial judicial foreclosures, including office buildings, golf courses and warehouses. Also represent a large national lender and loan servicing entities in connection with defense of claims by borrowers asserted in connection with foreclosures or the threat of foreclosures of residential property for predatory lending and wrongful foreclosure, including TILA, RESPA and unfair competition claims.Large Multi-Family Property Business Dispute. Represented multiple related companies and individuals in complex litigation involving various aspects of a privatized former military housing project and claims based on a legal joint venture, and unfair and deceptive acts and practices, of more than $300 million, and involving property management. The case ultimately resolved on extremely favorable terms for the firm’s clients.Environmental Litigation. Defended a large resort developer in litigation regarding the interplay between the environmental laws and the land use process for this large, master-planned resort development, from trial through oral argument at the Hawaii Supreme Court.Design/Construction Defect and Mold Litigation. Representation of hotel owner in country’s largest construction/mold litigation involving large resort property and involving more than twenty parties, resulting in favorable global settlement after extensive mediation.Partnership Litigation and Business Transactions. Represented international business interests in a $100 million litigation involving complex partnership disputes and in business transactions relating to a large hotel resort property. Has also represented international companies in connection with disputes arising from the sale of large resort property. Representation has involved management of multiple case litigation arising from purchase and sale agreement, including working with and coordinating the efforts of litigation teams in all aspects of the litigation to ensure the best representation of the clients’ interest.Franchise Litigation. Represented a multi-million dollar company in litigation over a stock purchase agreement relating to the sale of a large number of well-known national franchise interests. Has also represented a group of small business owners in complex litigation and arbitration against a large international franchise organization in arbitration before the American Arbitration Association in Washington, D.C.Trust Representation. Represented several large land-owning family trust interests in litigation matters involving disputes over real estate conveyances, trust distributions and trust governance matters.What People Say About Ms. Lovejoy:"Sharon Lovejoy tirelessly works to find optimal litigation strategies. Her real estate background combined with litigation knowledge gives her a formidable edge over competitors. She outsmarted opposition partners from one of the top three Honolulu firms in a very complex case. I found her cautious methodology appropriate and ultimately spot on in assessing litigation risks and opposition moves.The Best Lawyers in America®, Client Comment"Sharon Lovejoy is an excellent litigator. She is thorough, extremely smart, tactical, and strategic."The Best Lawyers in America®, Client CommentOn top of Lovejoy’s successes, colleagues say she is “simply the best to work with.” Clients echo this view, explaining that, after shopping around for representation, Lovejoy was the obvious choice for her “very sound litigation advice.”Benchmark Litigation Comment"Sharon Lovejoy is praised by one peer as being very talented and very directed in how she manages case strategy.”Chambers and Partners USA Leading Lawyers for Business Comment"Sharon Lovejoy is said to be a big presence in the market "who really leads matters.”Chambers and Partners USA Leading Lawyers for Business Comment"Sharon Lovejoy is a highly-experienced litigator, often handling complex commercial cases for businesses and real estate entities. A client enthuses: "I would say she's considered a top-level litigator. Very diligent and persistent, strategic and sharp. She gives sound legal advice.""Chambers and Partners USA Leading Lawyers for Business, Client Comment Sharon V. Lovejoy represents clients in a wide variety of litigation matters with primary focus in commercial, real estate and business litigation. Ms. Lovejoy has been named to The Best Lawyers in America®, "Lawyer of the Year" in Honolulu list, Appellate Practice (2020), Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law (2015, 2019, 2024, 2026) and Litigation-Banking & Finance (2014, 2022, 2025). Lovejoy is also recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® (in “Appellate Law”, "Arbitration", "Banking & Finance Litigation", "Bet-The-Company" "Commercial Litigation", "Construction Litigation", "Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law", "Environmental Litigation","Real Estate Litigation", “Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law”, "Qui Tam Law", "Land Use & Zoning Litigation" and "Mass Tort Litigation/Class Action-Defendants", "Mass Tort Litigation/Class Action-Plaintiffs"), selected for inclusion to the "Top 25", Hawaii Super Lawyers® list in 2023-2025, selected to the Hawaii Super Lawyers® list (in “Business Litigation”) since 2010, and recognized by Chambers and Partners Leading Lawyers for Business (in "Commercial Litigation"). Ms. Lovejoy was honored to be appointed as a Senior Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America trial lawyer honorary society, and served a 3 year term as a lawyer delegate to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judicial Conference. She was President of the Federal Bar Association, Hawaii Chapter, 2013-14. Ms. Lovejoy is listed in Benchmark Litigation's Top 250 Women in Litigation (2011-2014), and is recognized as a "Litigation Star" by Benchmark Litigation and Benchmark Appellate. Ms. Lovejoy has been selected to the Pacific Business News list of "Women Who Mean Business" for 2018, and Pacific Edge Magazine's "Women in Business" in 2019. Ms. Lovejoy is admitted to practice law in Hawaii, Texas (Inactive), Florida (Inactive), Colorado(Inactive) and the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. Ms. Lovejoy holds Martindale-Hubbell’s highest possible professional rating AV®, given to her by other legal professionals based on their knowledge of her work, reputation and integrity. Some examples of Ms. Lovejoy’s recent legal work include: Foreclosures, Lender Representation. Represented lenders in various large commercial judicial foreclosures, including office buildings, golf courses and warehouses. Also represent a large national lender and loan servicing entities in connection with defense of claims by borrowers asserted in connection with foreclosures or the threat of foreclosures of residential property for predatory lending and wrongful foreclosure, including TILA, RESPA and unfair competition claims. Large Multi-Family Property Business Dispute. Represented multiple related companies and individuals in complex litigation involving various aspects of a privatized former military housing project and claims based on a legal joint venture, and unfair and deceptive acts and practices, of more than $300 million, and involving property management. The case ultimately resolved on extremely favorable terms for the firm’s clients. Environmental Litigation. Defended a large resort developer in litigation regarding the interplay between the environmental laws and the land use process for this large, master-planned resort development, from trial through oral argument at the Hawaii Supreme Court. Design/Construction Defect and Mold Litigation. Representation of hotel owner in country’s largest construction/mold litigation involving large resort property and involving more than twenty parties, resulting in favorable global settlement after extensive mediation. Partnership Litigation and Business Transactions. Represented international business interests in a $100 million litigation involving complex partnership disputes and in business transactions relating to a large hotel resort property. Has also represented international companies in connection with disputes arising from the sale of large resort property. Representation has involved management of multiple case litigation arising from purchase and sale agreement, including working with and coordinating the efforts of litigation teams in all aspects of the litigation to ensure the best representation of the clients’ interest. Franchise Litigation. Represented a multi-million dollar company in litigation over a stock purchase agreement relating to the sale of a large number of well-known national franchise interests. Has also represented a group of small business owners in complex litigation and arbitration against a large international franchise organization in arbitration before the American Arbitration Association in Washington, D.C. Trust Representation. Represented several large land-owning family trust interests in litigation matters involving disputes over real estate conveyances, trust distributions and trust governance matters. What People Say About Ms. Lovejoy: "Sharon Lovejoy tirelessly works to find optimal litigation strategies. Her real estate background combined with litigation knowledge gives her a formidable edge over competitors. She outsmarted opposition partners from one of the top three Honolulu firms in a very complex case. I found her cautious methodology appropriate and ultimately spot on in assessing litigation risks and opposition moves.The Best Lawyers in America®, Client Comment "Sharon Lovejoy is an excellent litigator. She is thorough, extremely smart, tactical, and strategic."The Best Lawyers in America®, Client Comment On top of Lovejoy’s successes, colleagues say she is “simply the best to work with.” Clients echo this view, explaining that, after shopping around for representation, Lovejoy was the obvious choice for her “very sound litigation advice.”Benchmark Litigation Comment "Sharon Lovejoy is praised by one peer as being very talented and very directed in how she manages case strategy.”Chambers and Partners USA Leading Lawyers for Business Comment "Sharon Lovejoy is said to be a big presence in the market "who really leads matters.”Chambers and Partners USA Leading Lawyers for Business Comment "Sharon Lovejoy is a highly-experienced litigator, often handling complex commercial cases for businesses and real estate entities. A client enthuses: "I would say she's considered a top-level litigator. Very diligent and persistent, strategic and sharp. She gives sound legal advice.""Chambers and Partners USA Leading Lawyers for Business, Client Comment

Practice Areas

Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law

Awards & Recognition

  • Lawyer of the Year: Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law, Honolulu (2026)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Banking and Finance, Honolulu (2025)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law, Honolulu (2024)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Banking and Finance, Honolulu (2022)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Appellate Practice, Honolulu (2020)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law, Honolulu (2019)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law, Honolulu (2015)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Banking and Finance, Honolulu (2014)
  • Recognized: Appellate Practice
  • Recognized: Arbitration
  • Recognized: Bet-the-Company Litigation
  • Recognized: Commercial Litigation
  • Recognized: Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
  • Recognized: Litigation - Banking and Finance
  • Recognized: Litigation - Construction
  • Recognized: Litigation - Environmental
  • Recognized: Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
  • Recognized: Litigation - Real Estate
  • Recognized: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
  • Recognized: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs
  • Recognized: Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law
  • Recognized: Qui Tam Law
  • Practice Area: Electronic Discovery and Information Management Law
  • Practice Area: Litigation - Trusts and Estates
  • Special Focus: Commercial Litigation
  • Benchmark Litigation Top 250 Women in Litigation, 2012
  • Chambers USA,Litigation/General Litigation
  • Hawaii Super Lawyers List, Business Litigation

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2011

Education

  • Baylor University, J.D., graduated 1987
  • Texas Wesleyan University, BS, graduated 1984

Reviews

L

Laura Clark

2 weeks ago

Competent and experienced, but communication could improve

I engaged Sharon Lovejoy at Starn O'Toole Marcus & Fisher for a commercial lease dispute involving my small business in Honolulu. With her 38 years of experience and focus on real estate litigation, I felt confident in her technical expertise, which was evident. Her deep knowledge of the relevant statutes and her recognition in Best Lawyers for related fields were reassuring. The case was resolved with an acceptable outcome. However, my experience was mixed. While her legal strategy was sound, there were periods where communication was slower than I expected. Updates were sometimes delayed, requiring me to follow up, and I occasionally felt I had to prompt discussions about case strategy rather than them being proactively offered. For straightforward legal matters, her long-standing practice and firm reputation are solid. For clients who prioritize constant, hands-on communication and detailed expectation-setting from the outset, you may need to be very direct about your needs. She is undoubtedly a skilled attorney, but the client service aspect felt merely adequate.

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