Bradley to Legislature: Consider creating exemption to NMI Bar rule
In order for the CNMI to get off-island lawyers to commit to staying longer on the islands, the Legislature has to consider creating an exemption—for those who want to stay and work for the government—to the rule that requires them to take the NMI Bar exam after serving the government for four years.
This was the recommendation of Chief Prosecutor John Bradley, in response to Rep. Donald M. Manglona’s (Ind-Rota) question on the turnover rate of assistant attorneys general during last Wednesday’s hearing of the Office of the Attorney General’s budget before the House Ways and Means Committee.
Bradley, who himself is leaving the CNMI after his contract expires next week, said one of the factors he has frequently dealt with in getting lawyers to either stay or to return is the limitation that’s placed upon practicing law here with the government.
Bradley noted that, under the CNMI Supreme Court rules, once a lawyer is sworn in as a government lawyer, it’s only good for four years based on the reciprocity agreement. “And so almost immediately, when someone gets here, they’re having to make this decision whether to take another Bar exam,” he said.
Read more: https://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/bradley-to-legislature-consider-creating-exemption-to-nmi-bar-rule/