ON March 31, 2023, the District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands and the CNMI Bar Association hosted the inaugural “Women’s Month Meet and Mingle — Learning from the Ladies in the Law,” a community engagement event at the Gualo Rai courthouse, aimed to enhance and promote diversity in the legal profession by highlighting the stories of women with diverse backgrounds, including practicing attorneys, working professionals, and judges who work or interact with the federal judiciary.
The distinguished panel of women included Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona, Magistrate Judge/Clerk of Court Heather L. Kennedy, Designated Judge and CNMI Superior Court Associate Judge Teresa K. Kim-Tenorio, United States Probation Officer Juanette F. David-Atalig, Criminal Justice Act Defense Attorney Janet H. King, and Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Kost.
The panel shared their experiences and insights as women working in the legal profession.
The event was coordinated by Daniel Brown, the district court’s administrative specialist and outreach coordinator, and was moderated by chambers law clerk Gretchen A. Smith. Audience members had an opportunity to connect with the panelists during the question & answer portion of the program.
“We are proud to have hosted the first Women’s Month Meet and Mingle — Learning from the Ladies in the Law Event in the CNMI. By showcasing the diverse backgrounds and experiences of female jurists and legal professionals, we aim to inspire and encourage more women to pursue careers in law and help enhance diversity in the legal field,” said Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona.
The filled courtroom of attendees included students from Northern Marianas College and the Public School System, president of the CNMI Bar Association Charity R. Hodson and other members of the Bar Association, court staff from both the district court and the CNMI judiciary, as well as interested community members.
The District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands looks forward to hosting similar community outreach events, which contributes to the court’s mission of providing equal access to justice for all.
From left, attorney Janet H. King, U.S. Probation Officer Juanette F. David-Atalig, District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona, Magistrate Judge/Clerk of Court Heather L. Kennedy, CNMI Superior Court Associate Judge Teresa K. Kim-Tenorio, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Kost.
