Fourth Torres sibling takes attorney oath

It is rare to see three lawyers in one family. But it is rarer to imagine seeing four lawyers in one family, including one woman, in the CNMI.

Judy Marie Deleon Guerrero Torres has joined her elder brothers—attorneys Vince, Joaquin, and Victorino of the Torres Brothers Law Firm—in the law profession.

Judy Marie, 25, took her oath of attorney before CNMI Supreme Court chief justice Miguel S. Demapan on Friday after passing the NMI Bar.

Ben and Primitiva Torres, the proud parents of the now four Torres lawyers, flew all the way from the U.S. mainland just to attend the historic attorney admission ceremony for their youngest of six children.

“Rare to find here on Saipan and also anywhere. I did not know if that is ever seen (four lawyers in a family) in Guam or the U.S. mainland,” said chief justice Demapan in his welcome remarks.

Demapan congratulated Ben and Primitiva Torres for a “job well done.”

“It is not easy to uproot and relocate the entire family to the U.S. It is difficult to move away from our beautiful islands and into a foreign neighborhood,” he said.

The chief justice said Ben and Primitiva Torres bring a source of pride for the family and the Commonwealth in general.

For Judy Marie, Demapan’s only advice to be successful in the legal field: Deliver good quality work and have high ethical standard.

Judy Marie in an interview with Saipan Tribune said it is a very warm feeling now that she can practice law alongside with her brothers and to be with them every step of the way.

“It is a very warm and just happy feeling. There’s no other words I can describe it,” she said.

Judy Marie flew to Japan last Thursday just to meet her parents and make sure they got here on Saipan for the ceremony.

Judy Marie and her parents all arrived on Saipan Friday at 1:30am. Her father was seen wiping his tears during the ceremony.

“They’re both getting older. Having them here to share this moment it’s a final symbol of their work and their dedication,” Judy Marie said.

With respect to the NMI Bar exam, Judy Marie said it was very difficult.

“It’s one of the scariest things that you could ever prepare yourself for and the waiting for the results is agonizing,” she said.

Judy Marie studied at Sister Remedios and Saipan Community School then moved to the U.S. mainland. She finished law at Thomas M. Cooley School of Law.

Primitiva Torres, a former teacher at William S. Reyes Elementary School, said she is very happy and that she is praying that her daughter will do the best she can.

“All I do is just treat my kids with love, respect, and I try my best,” Primitiva Torres said when asked how did she and Ben were able to produce four lawyers and one congressman (Rep. Ralph Torres).

Primitiva and Ben Torres are going back to Idaho in a few days where they are now staying under the care of their other son, Troy.