Herbert Soll passes away at 85

Herbert D. Soll

The CNMI’s first Commonwealth Court Trial associate judge, Herbert D. Soll, passed away yesterday morning at 85 and the eulogies that immediately poured in were one in saying his memory will live on in the hearts of the CNMI community for the vital role he played in shaping the CNMI’s justice system today.

It was learned that Soll passed away yesterday morning in Hawaii as a result of a pre-existing condition. He was surrounded by his family.

Soll was the first judge named to the Commonwealth Trial Court back in 1979. He was tasked with the responsibility of organizing the court and he served as the only judge on island for six months until the appointment of Chief Judge Robert Hefner and Judge Robert Moore. Soll worked tirelessly all day and instituted a night court session as well in his early days with the Trial Court.

In addition to serving as associate judge, Soll was appointed, and served as a justice pro tempore for the CNMI Supreme Court.

In his lifetime, Soll was a former Peace Corps volunteer in Brazil before he served as the Chief Public Defender of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.

In addition to serving as a judge, he served as deputy attorney general from 1993 to 1996 and as a hearing officer for the Department of Labor and Immigration from 1996 to 1999, while also giving back to this community by teaching at Northern Marianas College.

In a brief statement from Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, he said the CNMI will always remember Soll’s historic contribution to the islands.

“On behalf of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, I would like to extend my condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of the former attorney general and the Commonwealth’s first Trial Court judge, the Honorable Herbert D. Soll. We remember and thank him for his [historic] contributions to the NMI throughout his career and lifetime. May he rest in peace,” said Torres.
A news release from the NMI Supreme Court stated that Soll was instrumental in the success of the CNMI’s judicial system.

“It is with great sadness that we learned of [his] passing. …Judge Soll was truly a titan in the legal profession and instrumental in the success of our judicial system. Without his leadership and perseverance in the infancy stages of the Commonwealth, the court would not have likely made the strides it has in the past decades,” the news release stated.

In a brief statement from Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro, he said Soll’s contributions and dedication to improving the Commonwealth, and the Pacific region as a whole, cannot be overstated

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Judge Soll. While serving as public defender, Herb anticipated the establishment of a Commonwealth between the NMI and the United States, and worked to send the trial assistants employed at the office of the public defender, including myself, to study under the Faculty of Law at the University of Papua New Guinea. I credit my successes in the legal field to his foresight and guidance. Judge Soll’s legacy will endure and his passion for justice will continue to be felt at the Judiciary years from now,” Castro said.