Wiseman retiring from bench

David A. Wiseman, the longest serving judge in the Commonwealth Superior Court, is retiring effective May 2016.

Wiseman, 73, informed Gov. Eloy S. Inos on Friday of his decision to retire from the bench, Saipan Tribune learned.

“I am truly grateful for having had the very special and profound opportunity of being able to serve the people of the CNMI, in several capacities, over a period of more than 38 years of my career spent in the CNMI,” said Wiseman in his letter to Inos on Friday.

Wiseman did not specifically mention the reason for his retirement.

“The life winds of change have decided to steer me in a new direction which has motivated this notice of retirement,” he said.

When asked about his plans, Wiseman replied, “The future plan [is] uncertain at this time.”

Wiseman, however, stated that he will be going back and forth to Hawaii, where his wife currently works.

Wiseman began work in the CNMI as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer, serving the pre-Commonwealth government of Rota.

He served the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd CNMI Legislatures as legal counsel and the 5th and 11th as a committee counsel. He represented several government agencies as a private attorney while simultaneously serving as a special judge for several years.

Wiseman is the 15th judge to serve the Commonwealth Judiciary. He will have served a term of 15 years when he steps down in May 2016, making him the longest serving judge of the Superior Court.

Wiseman also served the people of the CNMI as a designated judge of the U.S. District Court for the NMI for 14 consecutive years.

He was successfully retained on the bench in two retention elections.

Wiseman said he is fortunate and privileged to have not only witnessed the incipient CNMI government being formed, but have also proudly participated in its evolution, a major part of which was the maturity of the Judiciary.

He said the transition from the Trust Territory to a new government of the CNMI commenced with a judiciary having very limited jurisdiction, without its own appellate court.

Now, he said, the CNMI Judiciary has full general and appellate jurisdiction comparable to other state court systems.

Wiseman said his only sense of regret is having to leave the Judiciary, where he was able to officially express the strong passion and belief he has in the rule of law.

“The Judiciary is the branch of government entrusted with the public’s confidence in maintaining and nurturing that rule of law—a core principle which is so indispensable to any civilized society,” he said.

Wiseman told Inos that this early notice of his retirement will provide the governor with the necessary time for research, consultation, and deliberation on the selection of an associate judge to fill the vacancy.

Wiseman said a person nominated to the post should be one who has uncompromising integrity and honesty and has the competence, experience and a proper judicial temperament, along with other jurist qualities that will complement the Judiciary in its ongoing and challenging endeavors.

“In closing, I take pride and joy in having made, along with my several colleagues, what I believe to be significant advancements for the Judiciary, and will continue to do so for the last few remaining months of my tenure,” he said.