Mitchell resigns from CNMI Bar

Claiming he is very sick, suspended lawyer Theodore Mitchell has offered to resign from the CNMI Bar in hopes of ending his bitter battle with the justices and stop the disbarment case against him.

The controversial lawyer who was diagnosed with a colon cancer in January last year said his condition has worsened and he wants to spend the remaining years of his life with his family.

Mr. Mitchell, 64, has offered to file an irrevocable resignation from the CNMI Bar effective Dec. 31, 2001. In his proposed settlement, he promised never to seek admission in the CNMI Bar again.

“In exchange, all I need this Court to do is set me free, without limiting or destroying my chances to establish myself somewhere else,” he said.

In his motion filed before the Supreme Court, Mr. Mitchell explained that the one year period will give him time to find opportunity in Arizona or somewhere else and relocate his family.

The controversial lawyer said he might find it hard to practice law in Arizona or any other jurisdiction if he would be disbarred in the CNMI.

He also has to wind up his law practice as he has 45 cases pending in both the local and federal courts. “I need to take care of my current clients’ needs in an orderly fashion while transferring representation to a new counsel so that their interests will not suffer,” he said.

He has also appealed to the court to vacate his Aug. 1 order suspending him from practicing law so that his plan to seek admission in Arizona or any other jurisdiction will not be affected.

Mr. Mitchell’s suspension stemmed from his refusal to follow an earlier ruling of the court ordering him and his client Juan M. San Nicolas to return the $800,000 which they withdrew under the account of Saipan LauLau Development Inc. and Shimizu Corp.

The withdrawal of the amount was made following the writ of execution issued by the Superior Court ordering golfer Mr. San Nicolas to recover from Saipan LauLau Development Inc., (owner of Saipan LauLau Golf Course) and Shimizu Corp. the $1.5 million in damages awarded by a jury.

However, the Supreme Court has ruled that the writ of execution issued by the Superior Court was not final and remanded the case back to the lower court so that it can take all the necessary measure to ensure the return of the funds prematurely withdrawn from the bank account of Saipan LauLau. (LFR)