First Round Win

The Marianas Office recently won reinstatement to employment for one of its clients. Reported here .

A Farewell and A Welcome

Our long-time MLSC Board Member representing the CNMI has resigned.  Lucia Blanco-Maratita submitted her resignation from the MLSC Board of Directors by letter dated September 4, 2012.  She wrote:

It has been a pleasure serving and working with such honorable gentlemen on the Board for the past ten years. I know that this Board truly has its clients' best interests at heart and takes their responsibilities to both clients and staff very seriously.  I have no doubt it will continue to always remain focused on them. I will definitely miss the camaraderie and collegiate respect that my fellow members have given to me and to each other.

MLSC will miss Lucy, who has been such a great friend to all of MLSC, but especially to the Marianas Office.

MLSC took the opportunity of a recent CNMI Bar Association meeting to present Lucy with a plaque of appreciation.  Jane Mack, Directing Attorney of the Marianas Office, presented the plaque of appreciation resolved by the MLSC Board. MLSC's Acting Executive Director Ben Weber and Marianas Office staff attorneys Dimitri Varmazis and Linda Wingenbach also joined in the presentation.



Ben Weber, Lucia Blanco-Maratita, Lillian Ada Tenorio, Linda Wingenbach (partially hidden), Jane Mack and Dimitri Varmazis.

CNMI Bar Association President Sean Frink named Lillian Ada Tenorio as Lucy's successor. Lillian will represent the CNMI on the MLSC Board of Directors.  MLSC thanked her for accepting the position and welcomed her to her new duties.

MLSC Completes Back-To-School Project SY 2012-2013

The Marianas Office of Micronesian Legal Services Corporation once again conducted its annual Back-To-School Project. Office staff donated money and new school supplies and organized a drive among other legal providers in their annual effort to give needy kids a chance to start school with the items they need to succeed. “We believe that kids will be more enthusiastic about learning if they have the tools they need,” said Jane Mack, the Directing Attorney at the Marianas Office.

Some of the book bags with supplies, ready for distribution.



More backpack, ready to go.

  Many other attorneys and members of the legal community share the desire to help children prepare for their educational experience. “An education is vitally important in being successful in the future,” attorney William Satterberg said. This year, in addition to MLSC staff, donations were given by Richard W. Pierce, William Satterberg, Rexford Kosack, Loren Sutton, Braddock Huesman, Thomas Clifford, Marsha Schultz, Kathryn Delafield, Eileen Escudero, Heather Kennedy, Vicente Salas, Adam Hardwicke, Jennifer Dockter and Suzanne Steffey.




Supplies include a binder, filler paper, folder, notebook, composition book, pencil case with pens, pencils, erasers, sharpener, and then age appropriate add-ons like crayons and rulers.




We included a bottle of water and hand-sanitizer with nearly all bags distributed this year.

 As a result of the generous support, MLSC distributed 76 backpacks with a wide range of supplies in them, and 8 small kits of basic school items. Children were selected as recipients from MLSC client families, referrals by Karidat and other community organizations, and self-referrals (phone inquiries). The donated supplies will help at least some students be prepared as they return to the classroom for SY 12-13.



MLSC paralegal Maria Muna hands out a book bag with supplies to a happy first-grader.




Students showing off their new backpacks.



Open for Domestic Intake

Late notice, but...
The Marianas Office is open for domestic intake this week (September 10-17). Call for an appointment (670) 234-6243 or come in Monday through Thursday.  (Friday by appointment only).

"Domestic" includes cases involving divorce, child support, guardianship, adoption, etc.