Dobelle gets stay as talks continue
By Beverly Creamer
Advertiser Education Writer
With mediation between the University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents and fired UH president Evan Dobelle entering its third week, the board yesterday announced that Dobelle’s effective termination date would be extended to Aug. 14.
The board also announced that high-profile Honolulu lawyer William McCorriston had joined the regents' legal team. Sources said he has been on the job for about two weeks, although he would not say when he was hired.
"I can’t discuss anything," he said yesterday. "We’re in mediation."
Regents said Dobelle’s effective termination date was changed "in order to allow the parties to continue further efforts in mediation."
Dobelle was fired June 15, but a subsequent letter notifying him of his termination said it was effective July 23.
Yesterday’s announcement came in a one-sentence statement after a closed meeting of the board.
The regents also postponed for a week any discussion of a potential mediated settlement with Dobelle. In a brief statement, chairwoman Patricia Lee said the board would again take up that agenda item next Thursday in a continuation of yesterday’s special session.
McCorriston’s presence — and reputation as a tough litigator — adds muscle to the regents' legal team and gives them a lawyer used to the spotlight.
In the late 1990s McCorriston was a lead attorney for the five former Bishop Estate trustees in their struggles with the state attorney general and the Internal Revenue Service. He has defended high-profile clients ranging from financier Sukamto Sia to labor leader Tony Rutledge. He represented police officer Kenneth Kamakana, who filed a federal lawsuit against the Honolulu Police Department.
Because of mediation agreements, the attorneys for both sides agreed that yesterday’s closed session of the regents would remain closed.
Dobelle was fired in a closed-door meeting of the regents. He was traveling on the Mainland with his family at the time.
The regents said he was fired "for cause" but have not said what that cause was.
Dobelle remains on administrative leave.
Reach Beverly Creamer at bcreamer@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8013.
