(Press Release) — The Northern Marianas Bar Association announced a new slate of officers during its Annual membership meeting on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, at the Judiciary Assembly Hall in the Guma’ Hustisia, Iimwal Aweewe. The new officers and directors will serve a one-year term for 2026 and includes:
• President Gretchen A. Smith previously served as secretary of the Bar Association for the 2025 term. She is one of two in-house counsels for the NMI Settlement Fund. Gretchen previously clerked for Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona of the District Court for the NMI and for Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro of the NMI Supreme Court. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of California, Davis School of Law in 2018 and received her Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2012. Gretchen also serves as chair of the NMI Humanities Council and as a coach for the Marianas Pacific Paddlers outrigger team.
• Vice President Sean E. Frink has been a member of the Bar Association for more than 30 years. He is the founder of Marianas Legal Strategy Group and previously served as deputy attorney general under former Attorney General Maya B. Kara. Sean earned his Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego and his Bachelor of Arts in Government and Public Administration from the University of Southern California. He is the proud father of five daughters and an avid outrigger canoe enthusiast.
• Secretary Rellani Ogumoro is an assistant attorney general in the Civil Division of the Office of the Attorney General. Prior to this role, she clerked for Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo of the NMI Superior Court. Rellani is the secretary/treasurer on the board of directors for the Micronesian Legal Services Corporation and the chair of the Bar Association’s Continuing Legal Education Committee. She earned her Juris Doctor from the Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law in 2020 and her Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Eastern Oregon University. Rellani is blessed with a toddler and enjoys a good game of softball or soccer over the weekend.
• Treasurer Rachel Blue is an assistant attorney general in the Civil Division of the Office of the Attorney General. Prior to relocating to the CNMI, she clerked for Judge Timothy J. Schultz of the Colorado Court of Appeals and worked at Bayas Firm, focusing on consumer advocacy. Rachel earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Fine Arts from Old Dominion University. While pursuing her undergraduate studies, she was the starting goalkeeper and later went on to play semi- professionally. Prior to entering the legal profession, Rachel served as a college professor. Rachel is also the proud mom of two amazing children and a coach and player for Paire FC.
• Director Carmen V. Borja is serving her third year as director of the Bar Association. She currently serves as executive director of the Commonwealth Law Revision Commission. Prior to her leadership with the Commission, she was an assistant attorney general in the Criminal Division of the Office of the Attorney General. Carmen also clerked for Associate Justice Perry B. Inos of the NMI Supreme Court. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 2019 and received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Washington. Her hobbies include K-drama, Pilates, and traveling.
• Director Charity R. Hodson served as the Bar Association President for seven years. She maintains a private practice and previously clerked for Associate Judges Teresa K. Kim-Tenorio and David A. Wiseman of the NMI Superior Court. Charity earned her Juris Doctor from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law in 2012 and received her Bachelor of Arts in English from San Diego State University. She has volunteered in numerous outreach activities, including coaching the Rota High School mock trial team alongside attorneys Oliver Manglona and Joseph Hallahan.
• Director Hyun Jae Lee is serving her third year as board member of the Bar Association. She currently serves as in-house counsel for the NMI Judiciary and previously served as executive director of the Commonwealth Law Revision Commission. Hyun Jae also clerked for Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro of the NMI Supreme Court and worked in private practice as an associate with S. Joshua Berger. She is a graduate of the Handong International Law School and received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Georgia State University. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends and exploring hobbies including scuba diving, ju-jitsu, cooking, and traveling.
The Bar Association additionally has a new executive director, Mercilia “Iya” Teigita. She may be reached in person at the Law Revision Commission office in the Guma’ Hustisia, Iimwal Aweewe from Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
For more information about the Northern Marianas Bar Association, visit www.cnmibar.com or contact 670-789-5429.
