THE House of Representatives on Monday unanimously adopted a resolution commending the late Maya Kara for her dedication and contributions to the CNMI.
Introduced by Rep. Angel Demapan, House Resolution 22-13 acknowledged Kara’s 32-year service to the CNMI government and community.
A former acting attorney general, Kara served as House legal counsel and legal counsel to the governor and lt. governor.
She passed away on Nov. 19, 2021 at the age of 76.
“Throughout her career in the CNMI, a large portion of which was spent in public service, the late Maya Kara had served with relentless dedication and equivocal devotion to ensure the well-being and common good for all communities and residents,” the resolution stated.
Kara received her Juris Doctorate in 1985 from Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco, California, and worked for various law offices there before moving to Saipan in February 1989 with her husband, attorney Bruce Mailman.
Kara served as legal counsel for the House of Representatives in the 6th, 7th and 8th Legislatures, and was the chief legal counsel for the House of Representatives in the 9th, 10th, and 11th Legislatures.
Kara served as acting attorney general of the CNMI during the third term of Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio, and became his legal counsel from February 2000 to January 2002.
From February 2002 to December 2005, she was the legal counsel of Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente.
From January 2005 to 2012, Kara held various positions in different government offices, including as administrative hearing officer for the CNMI Department of Labor, and special administrative hearing officer for the Northern Mariana Islands Retirement Fund.
Kara was also a member of the Law Offices of Mailman & Kara LLC, which is known for its expertise in immigration matters, among other things.
Kara also served as the legal counsel for the Third Constitutional Convention in 1995 and was a former president of the CNMI Bar Association.
Kara served as a member of the CNMI Law Revision Commission from 1991 to 2000 and was its chairwoman from 1991 to 1992.
“A great community is only as great as those individuals who provide selfless service, whether through unique personal achievement or other endeavors, or simply through a mission of service in their respective legal professions, both public and private,” the resolution honoring Kara stated.
Maya Kara
