STAR-BULLETIN FILE
Bankrupt Hawaiian Airlines is looking to add to its legal team.
Gotbaum wants lawyers
for Hawaiian executives
WASHINGTON >> The Chapter 11 trustee for Hawaiian Airlines Inc. is asking a bankruptcy court to approve the hiring of additional lawyers to represent five members of the company's management team.
A hearing on this issue is scheduled for Monday at U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Honolulu.
Joshua Gotbaum, the court-appointed Chapter 11 trustee, said in court papers filed last Thursday that members of the company's management team are officers of both Hawaiian Airlines and Hawaiian Holdings Inc. Gotbaum said the dual roles held by the group presents potential conflicts of interests because of the relationship between Hawaiian Airlines and its holding company.
According to court papers obtained by Dow Jones Newswires, the officers are Mark Dunkerley, president and chief operating officer; Christine Deister, executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer; Keoni Wagner, vice president, public affairs; Ruthann Yamanaka, senior vice president and corporate secretary; and Paul Kobayashi, vice president and controller.
Gotbaum said members of the group, which hold similar titles in their roles at the holding company, have considered resigning from Hawaiian Holdings, but are concerned their departure would open them up to litigation. Gotbaum said the attorneys that represent him and the company don't provide legal counsel to the five officers and aren't in a position to do so.
Court papers said the five officers are faced with a decision regarding their dual status without the benefit of legal advice and would also be financially burdened with the cost of securing attorneys.
Gotbaum said the officers shouldn't be in this position and are concerned that the situation may affect their morale and their continued employment.
Court papers said that Gotbaum recommends that one firm be appointed to represent the group, with fees not to exceed $25,000 unless approved by the bankruptcy court.
Hawaiian Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection March 21 with the bankruptcy court in Honolulu. Hawaiian Holdings isn't part of the filing and won't be part of the bankruptcy process.
