Brandi B. Balanda

We’re litigators and trial counsel.  We know that cases are won and lost on their “story”: who is right and who is wrong in the eyes of the judge and jury.  Our expertise is in developing and telling that story by drawing out the key facts, players, and themes, defining the legal framework in which they operate, and weaving them into a compelling narrative.  While our subject-matter expertise is both deep and broad, our record of success demonstrates our skill in crafting and presenting a winning argument.

Our skill as litigators informs every step along the way.  Understanding the facts requires not only an eye for detail but a strategy that identifies the right detail, combined with the tenacity to obtain and marshal complex facts and develop a record that completes the picture.  Defining the legal framework means not merely understanding what the law “is” but a creative process of identifying and describing the legal principles and authorities that—when applied to the facts of a particular case—lead to the just result for our clients.  Weaving these elements together effectively requires more than just proficiency with legal subject matter: it requires articulating clearly to a judge, arbitrator, or jury, who may have no familiarity with the subject matter or even the law, not only that our client should win but why.

We believe in the power of what can be achieved in the courtroom, but one size does not fit all.  Our successes demonstrate the ability to develop winning strategies that meet the unique needs of each case.  We know when a major investment of people and time will yield results and when it just means a big bill, and we’re committed to identifying cost-effective solutions to our clients’ problems.  If there is a way to resolve a dispute successfully short of trial, we find it.

Our skill as legal writers gives our clients a unique advantage in litigation.  Increasingly, cases are decided on written motions.  For a client, winning on a motion is the best possible result—it avoids both the cost of trial and the compromise of settlement.  Even if a motion does not decide a case, it may resolve a key issue so as to tip the scales decidedly in a client’s favor at trial or drive a favorable settlement.  This places a premium on lawyers who can synthesize complex facts and legal issues and distill them into an easy-to-follow explanation as to why their clients should win.

When trial is necessary, success requires not only the skills of the courtroom—examinations of witnesses and arguments to jury and judge—but also the use of those skills in the presentation of a winning story developed strategically from the outset. That is what we do.

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Brandi has wide-ranging experience successfully litigating large, complex cases, from defending a senior executive against the largest trade secret claim asserted in Washington to prosecuting fraud, contract, and fiduciary duty claims related to the financing of major real estate development projects. She is a passionate advocate, driven to achieve outstanding results for her clients through creative problem solving and collaboration. Brandi has resolved disputes in many different forums, – including federal and state trial and appellate courts, administrative agencies, and in arbitration.

Prior to joining Savitt Bruce & Willey, Brandi practiced law in Hawaii at Starn O’Toole Marcus & Fisher. Brandi graduated from Boston College Law School where she was a member of the 2009 European Law Moot Court team. At the European Law Moot Court Competition in Naples, Italy, she argued in English and French to advance with her team as regional semi-finalists.

Outside the office, Brandi enjoys outdoor adventures, her family, sharing laughs with friends, and experimenting in the kitchen.

Areas of Practice

• Contracts and Commercial Litigation
• Corporate Governance Disputes
• Employment Litigation
• Financial and Banking Litigation
• Government Defense
• Intellectual Property Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation

Prior Professional Experience

• Starn O’Toole Marcus & Fisher, Honolulu HI, 2009-2015

Education

• Boston College Law School, J.D., 2009
  • European Law Moot Court Team, Regional Semi-Finalist (Naples, Italy)
• University of Washington, B.A., International Studies, 2004
  • Phi Beta Kappa

Bar Admissions

• Washington
• Hawaii
• United States District Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
• United States District Court, Western District of Washington
• United States District Court, Eastern District of Washington
• United States District Court, District of Hawaii

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