NORTHERN MARIANAS BAR ASSOCIATION

Gretchen previously served as Secretary of the Bar Association for the 2025 term and currently serves as one of two in-house counsels for the NMI Settlement Fund. She previously clerked for Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona of the U.S. District Court for the NMI and  Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro of the NMI Supreme Court. She earned her J.D. from the University of California, Davis School of Law in 2018 and her B.A. in Philosophy from UCLA in 2012. Gretchen also serves as Chair of the NMI Humanities Council and coaches the Marianas Pacific Paddlers outrigger team.

Sean 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. He earned his J.D. from the University of San Diego and his B.A. in Government and Public Administration from the University of Southern California. He is a proud father of five daughters and an avid outrigger canoe enthusiast.

Rellani is an Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Division of the Office of the Attorney General. She previously clerked for Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo of the NMI Superior Court and serves as Secretary/Treasurer on the Board of Directors of the Micronesian Legal Services Corporation. She earned her J.D. from Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law in 2020 and her B.S. in Sociology from Eastern Oregon University. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her toddler and playing softball or soccer.

Rachel is an Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Division of the Office of the Attorney General. Before 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. She earned her J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and holds a B.A. and M.F.A. from Old Dominion University. Before entering the legal profession, she was a college professor and played soccer semi-professionally. She is also a proud mother of two and a coach and player for Paire FC.

Carmen is serving her third year as a Director of the Bar Association and currently serves as Executive Director of the Commonwealth Law Revision Commission. Previously, she was an Assistant Attorney General in the Criminal Division of the Office of the Attorney General and clerked for Associate Justice Perry B. Inos of the NMI Supreme Court. She earned her J.D. from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 2019 and her B.A. in Political Science from the University of Washington. Outside of work, she enjoys K-dramas, Pilates, and traveling.

Charity served as President of the Bar Association for seven years and maintains a private practice. She previously clerked for Associate Judges Teres K. Kim-Tenorio and David A. Wiseman of the NMI Superior Court. She earned her J.D. from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in 2012 and her B.A. in English from San Diego State University. She has also volunteered in numerous community outreach activities, including coaching the Rota High School mock trial team alongside Attorneys Oliver Manglona and Joseph Hallahan.

Hyun Jae is serving her third year as a Director of the Bar Association and currently serves as in-house counsel for the NMI Judiciary. She previously served as Executive Director of the Commonwealth Law Revision Commission, 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 earned her J.D. from Handong International Law School and her B.S. in Psychology from Georgia State University. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends and pursuing hobbies such as scuba diving, jiu-jitsu, cooking, and traveling.