In February of 2016, Merit, lead counsel for the Plaintiffs, settled a six-year lawsuit he had filed in 2010 in Federal District Court in Honolulu, Hawai’i, against the Honolulu Police Department, on behalf of three police officers (a male Black Sergeant, a male Mexican-American Patrol Officer and a female Caucasian Patrol Officer) for race and gender discrimination.
 Dowkin, et al. v. City and County of Honolulu, et al. (HPD – Doc. 796 Plaintiffs Amended Pretrial Statement)
May 12, 2012 – HAWAII NEWS NOW
Attorneys allege retaliation against HPD officers who filed discrimination suit
By Ben Gutierrez
June 18, 2015 –  LEAGLE
Downkin v City and County of Honolulu
February 19, 2016 – HONOLULU CIVIL BEAT
HPD Race Case Could Cost Honolulu Nearly $1 Million In Legal Fees
By Nick Grube
March 14, 2016 – HONOLULU CIVIL BEAT
High Public Cost Of Race Case Bolsters Calls For Police Reform
By Anita Hofschneider
March 16, 2016 – US NEW and WORLD REPORT
Honolulu City Council members agreed to pay [millions] to settle a lawsuit that says the Honolulu police officers engaged in misconduct ranging from racial discrimination to cover-ups by top police officials
By Marina Starleaf Riker, Associated Press