Bogdan optimistic about the CNMI’s Judiciary’s future

Bogdan

Superior Court Associate Judge Wesley Bogdan is one of three judicial court officers who is seeking retention in the Nov. 8 general elections.

Bogdan considers his role as a trial court judge a “great privilege and honor and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity be a part of ensuring the proper administration of justice for the Northern Marianas community,” which he considers home.

Bogdan first joined the lower court in November 2017 following a unanimous confirmation by the CNMI Senate on his nomination. His term expires in November 2023 and this is his first time to seek retention to continue serving in the Superior Court for another six years.

As the court’s newest associate judge, Bogdan considers his first five years in the lower court the most challenging times to learn and perform his work as a judge. His first term came at a time when the Northern Marianas faced the aftermath of two catastrophic super typhoons followed by the coronavirus pandemic.

“Super typhoons, broken air conditioners, mold, and a global pandemic—all causing the closure of the Guma Hustisia for long periods of time—have required me to grow in this position through highly unusual circumstances. I have actually worked longer in the temporary courtrooms setup [at the Pedro P. Tenorio] Multi-Purpose Building and at the Marianas Business Plaza than I have in the Guma Hustisia,” Bogdan said.

“COVID and all the ripple adverse effects the disease has caused has affected everyone, including the CNMI. Massive unemployment, increasing drug and alcohol abuse and property crime, social isolation, and the rising costs of living have all taken enormous tolls on the well-being of a great number of the people who appear in my courtroom.” Bogdan said.

On top of the lessons brought by these circumstances are the experiential ones Bogdan learned while on the bench. “A new trial court judge can only learn through experience—by doing all the things a judge must master in order to handle non-stop, always-changing, high-pressure circumstances involving people facing difficult legal problems.”

Despite these challenges, Bogan remains optimistic about the future of the CNMI Judiciary. “The CNMI Judiciary can continue to positively contribute to this unique place we call home by promoting the rule of law.”

The associate judge proudly credits his support team, the Judiciary, and the Commonwealth community for adjusting well to the challenges. “I firmly believe we have become better, more resilient people through it all.”

With his role as an associate judge in a close-knit community, Bogdan has learned to practice work/life balance that helps him stay focused on his job. “My family and the environment are my great balancing factors. Growing up in a very small town in the United States similar in population to the CNMI, I learned early on that everyone in small communities pretty much knew everyone else or was somehow related. It’s better to get along and avoid criticizing and confrontation unless it couldn’t be avoided.”

Originally from New Mexico, Bogdan has planted his roots in the Northern Marianas, which has been his home for the past 30 years. Bodgan first visited Saipan in 1994 at the invitation of two lawyer friends and he decided to stay right after meeting the people and the Marianas and experiencing the ocean surrounding Saipan.

He received his B.A. degree from the University of Texas (Austin), after which he attended law school and obtained a juris doctorate from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 1992.

In his 28-year career as a lawyer in the Northern Marianas, Bogdan has held several positions in the CNMI government, beginning in 1995 as an assistant attorney general for the CNMI departments of Commerce and Labor, where he also concurrently served as a judicial hearing officer. He also worked with the Office of the Public Defender.

Immediately prior to his ascent to the Superior Court, Bogdan was the legal counsel and senior policy adviser in the Office of the Governor during Gov. Eloy Inos’ and Gov. Ralph DLG Torres’ administrations.

Bogdan also worked in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where he held the position of deputy director of the Legal Department of the Asian Football Confederation and as legal counsel to AFC’s then-president Zhang Jilong. He also has experience as a private law practitioner in the CNMI, first as a member of a law firm before establishing his own practice.

In his biography in the judicial system website, Bogdan lists serving as legal counsel and policy adviser on behalf of the Commonwealth during the 2016-2017 Covenant Section 902 Consultations with the Government of the United States as one of his most challenging and rewarding legal experiences.

The associate judge, who has a lifelong passion for soccer, is also one of the founders and is still an active executive committee member of the Northern Mariana Island Football Association.

He has also been active with the CNMI Bar Association and served as head of the Continuing Legal Education Committee and as a member of the Disciplinary Committee. Additionally, he has also taught at the Northern Mariana College and remains active as a part of Judiciary’s Mock Trial Competitions.

The associate judge met his wife, Tomoko, on Saipan and they both truly appreciate being a part of this community for almost 30 years.

As a message to CNMI voters, the associate judge has this to say: “Being a judge is difficult and sometimes stressful work and requires the constant weighing of competing interests and complex legal arguments—and making difficult decisions on a daily basis. These past five years have been extraordinary and I will continue to approach each case that comes before me with an open mind and I will decide it on the basis of the evidence, the law, and precedent.”

Teri M. Flores (Correspondent)