Margery Bronster
Encyclopedia
Margery S. Bronster is a lawyer who served as Attorney General of Hawaii
from 1995 to 1999.
, where she became fluent in Mandarin Chinese, and then Columbia University Law School in 1982. She went into private practice for Shearman & Sterling
in New York City
in litigation. She moved to Honolulu, Hawaii
in 1988 and joined the firm Carlsmith Ball Wichman Murray Case & Ichiki. That law firm is now known as Carlsmith Ball, LLP.
In 1995 she was appointed as the first woman to hold the office of Attorney General of Hawaii
for a full term.
During her tenure in the Democratic administration of Governor of Hawaii
Benjamin J. Cayetano, she won the state a multibillion dollar Master Settlement Agreement
from tobacco companies.
In 1997 she led an investigation into abuses by the Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate
trustees. She was reappointed to a second term by Cayetano but her investigation of Bishop Estate trustees caused her to fall out of favor with the Hawaii State Legislature, resulting in her failed confirmation to a second term by the senate in 1999.
She was replaced as Attorney General by Earl I. Anzai
, who was formerly budget director.
Bronster then became a name partner in the Honolulu-based Bronster Crabtree & Hoshibata, later Bronster Hoshibata.
Attorney General of Hawaii
The Attorney General of Hawaii is the chief legal and law enforcement officer of Hawaii. In present-day statehood within the United States, he or she is appointed by the elected governor with the approval of the state senate and is responsible for a state department charged with advising the...
from 1995 to 1999.
Career
Bronster graduated from Brown UniversityBrown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
, where she became fluent in Mandarin Chinese, and then Columbia University Law School in 1982. She went into private practice for Shearman & Sterling
Shearman & Sterling
Shearman & Sterling LLP is a law firm headquartered in New York City with 20 offices located in major financial centers around the world founded in 1873. It is well known for both its litigation and transactional capabilities, especially in International Arbitration, Capital Markets, Finance, and...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in litigation. She moved to Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii. Honolulu is the southernmost major U.S. city. Although the name "Honolulu" refers to the urban area on the southeastern shore of the island of Oahu, the city and county government are consolidated as the City and...
in 1988 and joined the firm Carlsmith Ball Wichman Murray Case & Ichiki. That law firm is now known as Carlsmith Ball, LLP.
In 1995 she was appointed as the first woman to hold the office of Attorney General of Hawaii
Attorney General of Hawaii
The Attorney General of Hawaii is the chief legal and law enforcement officer of Hawaii. In present-day statehood within the United States, he or she is appointed by the elected governor with the approval of the state senate and is responsible for a state department charged with advising the...
for a full term.
During her tenure in the Democratic administration of Governor of Hawaii
Governor of Hawaii
The Governor of Hawaii is the chief executive of the state of Hawaii and its various agencies and departments, as provided in the Hawaii State Constitution Article V, Sections 1 through 6. It is a directly elected position, votes being cast by popular suffrage of residents of the state...
Benjamin J. Cayetano, she won the state a multibillion dollar Master Settlement Agreement
Tobacco MSA (Hawaii)
The Tobacco MSA with Hawaii is the particular version of the Tobacco MSA that was signed by Hawaii, was enabled by means of legislation of Hawaii, and has been interpreted since then in Hawaii state courts....
from tobacco companies.
In 1997 she led an investigation into abuses by the Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate
Kamehameha Schools
Kamehameha Schools , formerly called Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate , is a private co-educational college-preparatory institution that specializes in Native Hawaiian language and cultural education. It is located in Hawaii and operates three campuses: Kapālama , Pukalani , and Keaau...
trustees. She was reappointed to a second term by Cayetano but her investigation of Bishop Estate trustees caused her to fall out of favor with the Hawaii State Legislature, resulting in her failed confirmation to a second term by the senate in 1999.
She was replaced as Attorney General by Earl I. Anzai
Earl I. Anzai
Earl I. Anzai served as Attorney General of Hawaii from 1999 to 2002, appointed by Governor of Hawaii Benjamin J. Cayetano. A career Democrat, Anzai also served as state budget director from 1995 to 1999 and Office of Hawaiian Affairs special counsel from 1990 to 1994...
, who was formerly budget director.
Bronster then became a name partner in the Honolulu-based Bronster Crabtree & Hoshibata, later Bronster Hoshibata.