Bronster Hoshibata, CNMI govt reach deal

Betty Johnson’s Hawaii-based counsel, the Bronster Hoshibata law firm, has reached a settlement deal with the CNMI government in connection with its petition for attorney’s fees and costs incurred in representing Johnson in her class action.

In an order on Friday, U.S. District Court for the NMI designated Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood disclosed that she was recently advised that a settlement has been reached. She did not mention the amount involved in the settlement.

Tydingco-Gatewood said she is awaiting the filing of a motion to approve the settlement.

Bronster Hoshibata’s original demand was for $17.5 million to be paid through installment.

With respect to the petitions for attorney’s fees and costs separately filed by Johnson’s original counsel Bruce Jorgensen and San Rafael, California-based lawyer Timothy Lord, Tydingco-Gatewood strongly encouraged them to continue talks between themselves and the CNMI government.

Tydingco-Gatewood said the discussions should be with the assistance of Hawaii chief bankruptcy judge Robert J. Faris if necessary, so that these pending matters may be resolved expeditiously without the need for further court action.

The judge gave Jorgensen no later than June 10, 2014, to file and serve more declarations containing all direct testimony that supports his motion for approval of the settlement reached with the CNMI government.

Lord was given no later than June 10, 2014, to file and serve a final fee petition with one or more declarations, containing all direct testimony that supports his petition.

Any party who objects to Lord’s final fee application will be given no later than June 24, 2014, to file and serve one or more declarations containing all direct testimony that supports the objections.

Jorgensen initially requested at least $18.6 million, but he settled with the government for $800,000. The court, however, placed the matter under advisement.

Lord’s initial demand was either $3.6 million or $5.9 million. The judge placed his petition under advisement.

Johnson’s local counsel, Stephen Woodruff, asked between $1 million to $2.9 million, but he settled with the government for $185,000. Last March 3, Tydingco-Gatewood approved the CNMI government’s settlement with Woodruff.