By Cherrie Anne E. Villahermosa
Variety News Staff

THE Superior Court has suspended a lawyer for six months from the practice of law for misconduct.
Superior Court Judge Kenneth Govendo yesterday said the suspension of Joseph Arriola started on May 9.
According to the order, Arriola consented to the suspension and in compliance with Rule 14 of the Commonwealth Disciplinary Rules.
Govendo said attorney Steven P. Pixley is relieved as disciplinary counsel and that the matter is unsealed.
Govendo’s order stated that on Oct. 10, 2006, the federal court suspended Arriola from practicing law for a period of six months starting on Sept. 29, 2006 for the following reasons: Arriola failed to appear at a show cause hearing regarding a bankruptcy proceeding; he paid filing fees with checks on two separate occasions and those checks were subsequently returned for insufficient funds; he failed to appear at a meeting of the creditors; he withdrew as counsel on short notice before the trial of a civil action; he appeared in court for trial without an interpreter; he failed to appear and argue in opposition to a motion for summary judgment.
Govendo said Arriola consented to the allegations made in the federal court’s order to show cause dated Sept. 29, 2006, which resulted in his suspension from the practice of law in the federal court.
Govendo said the matter was referred to the NMI Bar Association who is tasked with monitoring, investigating and prosecuting professional misconduct by licensed attorneys in the CNMI.
The Bar Association on Feb. 23, filed a complaint against Arriola, alleging misconduct.
The Bar Association asked the Superior Court to reciprocate the federal court’s six months suspension from the practice of law.
Govendo said although Arriola has consented to the disciplinary measures imposed by the federal court, the lawyer originally challenged the authority of the Superior Court to reciprocate the federal court’s order and requested a hearing.
On April 12, however, Arriola withdrew his previous request for a hearing on the disciplinary matters and submitted to the court his consent to be suspended from practicing law in Superior Court for a period of six months as required by Commonwealth Disciplinary Rules.