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​Scenic drive and towering cliffs of northern Saipan.

Video courtesy of

Rommel Buenaflor

NMI Judiciary Court Clerks Undergo Pacific Judicial Council Court Clerks Training

Saipan, CNMI – Clerks from the NMI Supreme Court, Superior Court, and U.S. District Court for the NMI join over 50 participants from court systems in the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, and Palau in the Court Clerk Training sponsored by the Pacific Judicial Council (“PJC”) this week on January 28-30, 2026 on Saipan.


Pacific Judicial Council Court Clerk Training attendees included justices, judges, and court staff from Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Yap, Pohnpei, Chuuk, and Kosrae
Pacific Judicial Council Court Clerk Training attendees included justices, judges, and court staff from Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Yap, Pohnpei, Chuuk, and Kosrae

Clerks of Court provide invaluable services to the court, interfacing between the public and the courts and helping manage the court’s docket. The PJC training is intended to help clerks polish the necessary skills for their job.


The training sessions include discussions on professionalism, leadership, effective communication, self-represented litigants, and ethics for clerks. They also polished technical skills, including customer service skills and the ability to interpret codes of conduct.

Presenters for the Pacific Judicial Council Court Clerk Training. From left: Judge of Superior Court of Guam and Pacific Judicial Council Education Committee Chairwoman Maria T. Cenzon, Deputy State Court Administrator of North Dakota Court System Kelly Hutton, Administrator of the Courts of Judiciary of Guam Danielle T. Rosete, and Magistrate Judge/Clerk of Court of the District Court of the Northern Mariana Islands Heather L. Kennedy.
Presenters for the Pacific Judicial Council Court Clerk Training. From left: Judge of Superior Court of Guam and Pacific Judicial Council Education Committee Chairwoman Maria T. Cenzon, Deputy State Court Administrator of North Dakota Court System Kelly Hutton, Administrator of the Courts of Judiciary of Guam Danielle T. Rosete, and Magistrate Judge/Clerk of Court of the District Court of the Northern Mariana Islands Heather L. Kennedy.

“It is an opportune time for us to get more exposure to recent developments in case management, as we are midway into our 5-year strategic plan, and case management is integral to the plan,” said Judy T. Aldan, Clerk of Court of the NMI Supreme Court.


“Another session deals specifically with the difference between providing legal advice and providing legal information. That is important as we have new staff who need more clarity about the distinctions,” Aldan added.


Trainings are led by Kelly Hutton, President of the National Association for Court Management and Deputy State Court Administrator for the North Dakota court system, Danielle T. Rosete, Administrator of Courts in Guam, Heather Kennedy, U.S. Magistrate Judge and Clerk of Court for the District of the NMI, and Judge Maria T. Cenzon of the Superior Court of Guam.


The Pacific Judicial Council promotes judicial and legal education among its member jurisdictions, including American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. District Court of Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands, and Palau. Other upcoming trainings set for 2026 will cover topics such as restorative justice, digital evidence, and judicial leadership.

Secretary to Associate Justice of the Federated States of Micronesia Supreme Court Lovelynn Berdon provided a brief self-introduction to those present. (January 28, 2026)
Secretary to Associate Justice of the Federated States of Micronesia Supreme Court Lovelynn Berdon provided a brief self-introduction to those present. (January 28, 2026)

 

Associate Justice of Supreme Court of Guam and Pacific Judicial Council President Robert J. Torres (appearing virtually), along with Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro opened the three-day conference with welcoming remarks. (January 28, 2026)
Associate Justice of Supreme Court of Guam and Pacific Judicial Council President Robert J. Torres (appearing virtually), along with Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro opened the three-day conference with welcoming remarks. (January 28, 2026)


2026-PR-04

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 29, 2026


This press release has been prepared by court staff for the convenience of the public. For further information, contact the Supreme Court at Supreme.Court@NMIJudiciary.gov

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