Licensed attorneys who wish to provide specialized legal services to the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii (RCUH) for Fiscal Year 2027 (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027), are invited to submit a Statement of Qualifications and Expression of Interest (SOQ) to RCUH pursuant to HRS § 103D-304.

RCUH is currently looking to contract for legal services in the following areas:

1. Employment:  Employment, disciplinary, termination, workers’ compensation and discrimination/retaliation issues.  Services shall include but not be limited to:
2. Drafting, reviewing, and providing advice and recommendations relating thereto;
3. Providing advice and recommendations regarding responses to claims asserted by current and former employees; 
4. Participating in negotiations regarding items (a) and (b); and
5. Providing guidance on applicable statutes, regulations, and other legal requirements.

Previous experience advising employers is essential, and previous experience advising government agencies is preferred.  

2. Employment:  Employee benefits, including retirement benefits.  Services shall include but not be limited to:
3. Drafting, reviewing, and providing advice and recommendations relating thereto;
4. Providing advice and recommendations regarding responses to claims asserted by current and former employees; 
5. Participating in negotiations regarding items (a) and (b); and
6. Providing guidance on applicable statutes, regulations, and other legal requirements.

Previous experience advising employers is essential, and previous experience advising government agencies is preferred.  

3. Immigration: Temporary visa and/or immigrant visa applications.  Services shall include but not be limited to:
   1. Drafting, reviewing, and providing advice and recommendations relating thereto;
   2. Completing and filing temporary and immigrant visa applications and related documentation (previous experience representing employers in the application process is essential);
   3. Providing guidance on applicable statutes, regulations, and other legal requirements.

4. Tax: Payroll, IRS compliance, foreign payroll and/or nonresident alien and foreign entity contractor payments (crossover immigration experience preferred), IRS compliance.  Services shall include but not be limited to:
   1. Providing guidance on applicable statutes, regulations, internal policies, and other legal requirements.

5. Maritime: Charter, third-party vessel, and other marine-related agreements; marine insurance terms and policies.  Services shall include but not be limited to:
   1. Drafting, reviewing, and providing advice and recommendations relating thereto; and
   2. Providing guidance on applicable statutes, regulations, insurance policies/terms, internal policies, and other legal requirements.

Optional – Multi‑State Workforce Guidance:

For each of the above five (5) categories, demonstrated capability to advise on legal requirements applicable to RCUH employees located outside Hawaii.  Such guidance may be provided by attorneys licensed in the relevant jurisdictions or through coordination with appropriately licensed local counsel.

Please email your SOQ to [email protected] by Wednesday, May 27, 2026, to be eligible for consideration. SOQs received after May 27, 2026 (“late submittals”) will generally be considered for services beginning October 1, 2026.  If received after September 30, 2026, the submittal will be considered for services beginning at the start of the following quarter (e.g., January 1, 2027 or April 1, 2027).  However, RCUH may, at its sole discretion, consider late submittals for an earlier start date when it is in RCUH’s best interest.

SOQ forms are available here.