Local attorney Robert J. O’Connor said they received yesterday the confirmation of the acceptance of their motion for leave to participate as amicus curiae or friend of the court.
His firm supports the lawsuit against the federal government filed by Gov. Benigno R. Fitial.
But O’Connor said their arguments will differ from those of Fitial who focused more on federalization’s economic consequences to CNMI.
The amicus curiae motion was filed by the CNMI Descent for Self-Government and Indigenous Rights, which the O’Connor law firm is representing free of charge.
The group contends that federalization will result in the loss of local self-government.
The group has asked the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to deny the federal government’s motion to dismiss the governor’s complaint, and to grant his motion for a preliminary injunction.
O’Connor said on March 12, the court is expected to decide on Fitial’s motion.
He said his law firm is not being used by the Fitial administration, adding that they are “working independently” with the indigenous group.
