Superior Court Honors and Bids Farewell to Clerk of Superior Court Patrick Diaz

Patrick V. Diaz (center) with Clerk of Superior Court staff at the Judiciary Professional Development Summit in November 2025.

Saipan, CNMI – The NMI Superior Court honors the contributions of Clerk of the Superior Court Patrick V. Diaz as he resigns and moves into the next stage of his professional life.

Patrick V. Diaz (center, top) with Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro (to his left) and Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja (to his right), along with Clerk of Superior Court staff in December 2012.

Patrick has served the Superior Court for twenty-eight years. He joined the NMI Judiciary in September 1997 as a Family Court Coordinator and later served as Family Court Manager for eight years. On August 3, 2010, he received an Outstanding Criminal Justice Program Award at the National Criminal Justice Association National Forum in Fort Myers, Florida, on behalf of the Court. The award recognized the successful outcomes of the Pro Se Center, Separating Parents Program, and judges’ training program.

A show of respect and appreciation, the Superior Court Deputy Clerks, together Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja, stands with Superior Court Clerk of Court Patrick V. Diaz on his last day in office, January 9, 2026.

In 2012, Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja appointed Patrick Clerk of the Superior Court. In this role, he supervised court case management, docketed appeals and petitions, and ensured filings complied with court rules. In 2024, he received an award from the Supreme Court for his contributions as an eCourt Project Committee Leader, a project that enhanced the Judiciary’s capacity to serve CNMI residents while securely managing thousands of case files and legal documents. Under his leadership, the Office of the Clerk of Superior Court also received a Reporting Excellence Award from the National Center for State Courts on December 16th of this year. This award recognized the NMI Superior Court’s commitment to data reporting and its efforts to improve the quality of publicly reported data.

Reflecting on his time with the Superior Court, Patrick said that “the Judiciary was second home for me the past 28 years. I will miss my co-workers; we all share the same common goal in delivering equitable court services and justice to the people of the Commonwealth. I will forever cherish them.” The NMI Superior Court sincerely thanks Patrick for his years of tireless dedication. The Judiciary wishes him joy, good health, and fulfillment in the next chapter of his life.

On January 9, 2026, honoring 28 years of distinguished service and exemplary commitment to the Judiciary, Patrick V. Diaz receives his plaque from Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro and Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja.

2026-PR-02

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 14, 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