THE House of Representatives on Wednesday honored Micronesian Legal Services Corporation’s directing attorney Jane Mack and paralegal Maria Palacios Muna for their many years of service.
Authored by Rep. Leila Staffler, and co-authored by the rest of the 21st House members, House Resolution 22-6 commends Muna for her “time-honored legacy of dedication, enthusiasm and outstanding public service to the CNMI for the past thirty years,” while H.R. 22-7 commends Mack “for her lengthy service and extraordinary contributions to the CNMI.”
Attorney Robert T. Torres said Mack and Muna “epitomize selflessness, service to the community and sacrificing their time away from their family to serve the indigent persons of the Commonwealth and throughout Micronesia.”
Just saying “thank you,” Torres said, doesn’t do justice for their many years of serving the community. “They do it for the citizens, for our residents, neighbors and our friends. We thank them for all their hard work. We are just absolutely proud of all they have accomplished,” Torres said.
Exemplary accomplishments
In H.R. 22-7, the 21st House “is justly proud to acknowledge Ms. Jane Mack for her lengthy service and exemplary accomplishments and contributions to our great Commonwealth.”
Mack, who obtained her Juris Doctorate from the University of Kansas, started working as a directing attorney for MLSC in Nov. 1984. She still holds the position up to this day. Throughout her career, either personally or under supervision, Mack has handled over 8,400 civil cases.
She possesses admission to the CNMI Supreme Court, the CNMI Superior Court, the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Ninth Circuit of Appeals, the U.S. Sixth Circuit of Appeals, the District Court for the NMI, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, and the State of Ohio courts. She is also a member of the CNMI Bar Association.
In addition to the services she provides at MLSC, a non-profit corporation established in 1970 to provide low-income persons free legal assistance in civil matters, Mack also served as a CNMI special judge, becoming the first woman to ever serve in such capacity.
“I’m not a perfect employee but it has been really a joy and a blessing…to be able to help people and to have the opportunity to be here today, to serve in this great community. I am so grateful to be here,” Mack said.
Professional excellence
H.R. 22-6 recognizes Muna who has distinguished herself for her professional excellence and her significant contributions to the people’s quality of life.
A graduate of Marianas High School, Muna started her professional career with MLSC as a secretary in 1971. She became a notary in February 1972.
According to the resolution, she has notarized between 5,000 and 10,000 documents in the NMI.
Through hard work, Muna became a paralegal in the 1980s and has handled nearly 800 cases, mostly preparing pro se pleadings for clients seeking to establish paternity and collect child support for their minor children.
H.R. 22-6 stated that Muna has brought respect, honor, and integrity to the people of the CNMl and MLSC by leading by example, exhibiting the highest level of ethics and maintaining a superior moral character.
Her “unwavering commitment, willingness and ability to understand and respond to the concerns of the people of the CNMI and MLSC have made a substantial contribution to the betterment of the Commonwealth and MLSC,” the resolution stated.
Muna thanked the House for the recognition; her family for their love and support; and her MLSC family for their trust.
Mack said it is a pleasure to work with Muna through all these years.
“I’ve learned so much from her,” Mack said. “She is one of the most humble public servants, helping everyone with the most approachable, sincere and loving manner that I’ve ever known. It’s been my greatest honor to have worked with her,” Mack added.
Micronesian Legal Services Corp. Directing Attorney Jane Mack, center, holds a framed copy of House Resolution 22-7 as she poses with a photo with members of the 21st House and her MLSC family on Wednesday in the House chamber.
Micronesian Legal Services Corp. paralegal Maria Palacios Muna holds a framed copy of House Resolution 22-6 as she poses for a photo with her family members, other MLSC personnel and members of the 21st House on Wednesday in the House chamber.
