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SC bars Jorgensen from law practice
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Posted on Dec 21 2000
Superior Court Presiding Judge Edward Manibusan has permanently barred controversial lawyer Bruce Jorgensen from appearing as legal counsel for any person or legal entity in the Commonwealth Supreme Court or Superior Court because he has engaged in the unauthorized practice of law in the CNMI.
The decision stemmed from a motion filed by Assistant Attorney General David Sosebee seeking to stop Mr. Jorgensen from engaging in the unauthorized practice of law in the CNMI.
A judgement by default was entered in the case after Mr. Jorgensen or his lawyer Joseph A. Arriola failed to file an answer in the motion.
In his order, Judge Manibusan said Mr. Jorgensen has engaged in the unauthorized practice of law in the CNMI thus, a permanent injunction is just appropriate. Mr. Jorgensen will only be allowed to appear as legal counsel if he is admitted to practice law by the Supreme Court or authorized by a Commonwealth Court to do so.
Mr. Jorgensen cannot also appear on behalf of any person or other legally recognized entity before any Commonwealth administrative agency, department, division, commission, council or other elected or appointed body unless such appearance would be allowed by law for a lay person who is not licensed to practice law.
Furthermore, Mr. Jorgensen was prohibited from providing legal services or legal advice including the drafting of any documents provided to a person for pro se filing, to any person or legally recognized entity in the Commonwealth who is not a party to litigation pending in the U.S. District Court at the time the legal services or advice is provided.
Judge Manibusan said Mr. Jorgensen should cease representing to any person or legally recognized entity that he is admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth other than the U.S. District Court.
According to the AGO, allowing Mr. Jorgensen to continuously practice law in the CNMI during his stay on the island will result in immediate and irreparable harm to the Commonwealth and its citizens.
Mr. Jorgensen is not a member of the CNMI Bar Association, but he was admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands.
