The legal team of Banes Horey Berman & Miller, LLC.
In the legal landscape of the CNMI, Banes Horey Berman & Miller, LLC, has been a powerhouse for decades. The firm traces its roots to a predecessor firm established in the 1980s. After the arrival of its current managing member, David G. Banes, in the early 1990s, and the subsequent addition of more lawyers with diverse backgrounds and experience, it has become the largest firm in the CNMI. With a legacy spanning over more than a quarter century, the firm is proud of its unwavering dedication to its clients.
Practice areas and legal team
Banes Horey Berman & Miller boasts a wide array of practice areas, including personal injury, insurance defense, probate & estate law, contract & business law, family law, immigration law, and criminal defense. What distinguishes the firm is its unique “team approach,” where the lawyers collaborate seamlessly to provide clients with tailored representation.
(L-R) Joseph Horey, David Banes, Denny Nie, Gregory Koebel, and Richard Miller
Insights from David G. Banes – Managing Member
In an exclusive interview, the firm’s managing member, David G. Banes shared insights into what makes his law firm unique.
When asked about what sets his firm apart, Banes highlighted the diversity within their legal team, which enables them to tackle complex issues and address clients’ urgent needs effectively. Among the lawyers in the firm, Banes has a background rooted in personal injury litigation and criminal defense and draws from his Wall Street experience in New York City. Jed Horey is adept at general civil and appellate litigation, often involving constitutional issues. Richard Miller, a former public defender and law clerk for Chief Judge Manglona at the U.S. District Court in Saipan, contributes his insights, experience, and skills to the team, especially when it comes to criminal defense and analyzing and researching complex legal issues. Completing the team are Gregory Koebel, armed with an LLM from New York University in Taxation, and Denny Nie, who was born and raised in China and is experienced in business and real estate matters, cover the firm’s business and transactional practice.
Regarding the firm’s client-focused approach, Banes emphasized starting every new matter by understanding clients’ goals and counseling them on potential options, consequences, and risks to enable informed decision-making.
Success stories and Pro Bono commitment
When asked about success stories, Banes pointed out that success at Banes Horey Berman & Miller is measured by client satisfaction. While many civil cases result in confidential settlements, the firm has successfully litigated such cases when necessary, resulting in jury verdicts in favor of medical malpractice victims, motorists whose insurance claims were wrongly denied, and many more. Banes noted the firm’s history successfully representing defendants in criminal jury trials, including former Rota Mayor Efraim Atalig in a widely publicized federal case, Jeffrey Guerrero in the Yellow House karaoke murder case, and many others. The firm was chosen by the majority of Saipan garment factories when they were sued in a class action. As to business and transactional work, in the past years, the firm has assisted foreign investors regarding legal due diligence, contract drafting/review, and other aspects of multimillion-dollar transactions/investments in the CNMI. Banes noted that, of course, people should understand that prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome, and that for every client’s matter, his law firm would try to do its best to meet the client’s legal needs.
The firm’s commitment to pro bono work is evident in its representation of clients at discounted rates or for free from time to time, when their case merits it. They have also represented community organizations in cases related to environmental protection and the Covenant agreement between the CNMI and the United States.
Resolving disputes and achieving the best outcomes
Banes explained the firm’s approach to dispute resolution, emphasizing settlement whenever possible and zealous litigation when necessary. Collaboration between the client and the lawyer is at the heart of their process, involving clients in the decision-making to tailor the approach to each unique case.
Banes Horey Berman & Miller not only stands as a legal powerhouse but also exemplifies a client-centric ethos and a commitment to the community. The firm’s legacy is one of excellence, integrity, and a passion for achieving the best outcomes for its clients.
