Previous Story
Rellani Bennett Ogumoro is newest member of NMI Bar
|
Posted on May 06 2022
From left, Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho, Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja, Associate Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio, Rellani Ogumoro, Associate Judge Wesley Bogdan, Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo, and Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro, pose for a photo at the Carolinian Utt after Ogumoro’s swearing in. (Contributed Photo)
Rellani Bennet Ogumoro is the newest member of the CNMI Bar Association after Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro administered her attorney’s oath at the Carolinian Utt last April 29.
“It was a privilege to sit for the NMI Bar Exam and it was a truly humbling experience. I do not know where the stars may guide me, but I know I will use my legal education and the values of my upbringing to serve our community to the best of my abilities. I look forward to the work ahead,” she said.
Ogumoro currently work as Superior Court Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo’s law clerk.
Ogumoro earned her law degree from the Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law in 2020, and graduated with an Indian Law Certificate, the Highest Pro Bono Distinction, and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers Award, an award that recognizes the outstanding student in trial advocacy and clinical work in the graduating class.
She explained that after college and seeing the impact of Native attorneys at the highest levels of government, Ogumoro pursued a law degree to become a better advocate for indigenous communities.
In law school, Ogumoro worked for two different Native American tribes and spent a summer working for the Native American Rights Fund at their Alaska office. Ogumoro also presented on the political relationship between the U.S. and the CNMI during a lunch lecture as well as helped file a United Nations complaint against the U.S. government on behalf of tribes impacted by climate change.
Ogumoro went to college at Eastern Oregon University where she graduated summa cum laude. During college, Ogumoro was nationally recognized as a Truman Scholar for her dedication to public service.
After college, Ogumoro spent five years in Washington, D.C. where she worked for the assistant secretary for Indian Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Interior and for the special assistant to the President on Native American Affairs at the White House during the Obama Administration.
Ogumoro is the daughter of Joaquin and Lauri Ogumoro. She attended first grade at Tanapag Elementary School and is a graduate of Kagman High School.
