First Disaster Legal Aid clinic after a typhoon draws strong turnout

The CNMI’s legal community held what organizers described as the first disaster-related legal aid clinic following a major typhoon, offering free legal advice to residents dealing with issues stemming from Super Typhoon Sinlaku. Organizers said similar clinics were not held after previous major storms, making Saturday's effort a first for the Commonwealth's legal community.

Dubbed simply as Disaster Legal Aid, the one-day event was held last June 13 at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center and was organized by the CNMI Bar Association and the Micronesian Legal Services Corp. after both groups received numerous requests for legal assistance following the storm.

Gretchen Smith, president of the CNMI Bar Association, said the effort was prompted by calls from residents seeking help with legal matters related to the typhoon.

“After Super Typhoon Senlaku, we got an influx of phone calls to MLSC and the Bar Association asking if the attorneys of the community can assist with any legal issues related to Sinlaku,” Smith said. “And so that's what prompted us to start up this legal aid clinic.”

She said the clinic was staffed entirely by volunteer attorneys and support personnel.

According to organizers, more than 20 people had signed up by mid-morning, with additional walk-ins seeking advice on Federal Emergency Management Agency applications, homeownership documentation, occupancy issues, and landlord-tenant disputes.

Chris Heeb, directing attorney for Micronesian Legal Services Corp., said the clinic marked a significant milestone for the legal community.

“This is the third disaster that I've been through since I've been here in the islands. And this is the first time we've had this type of participation from private attorneys volunteering their time in the CNMI,” Heeb said.

He added that legal assistance can be especially valuable when residents are trying to navigate federal disaster-relief programs.

“Sometimes dealing with especially a federal agency and a federal bureaucracy when we're in disaster mode can be difficult,” Heeb said. “And sometimes just being able to ask a lawyer a simple question or to get pointed in the right direction can be a big help.”

Organizers said they are considering holding a second clinic as more FEMA and Small Business Administration applications are processed and additional legal questions emerge.

The clinic was staffed by volunteer attorneys from both the public and private sectors, including private attorneys Joe Hallahan, Charity Hodson and Andres Ojeda; assistant attorney general Frances Demapan; Law Revision Commission executive director Carmen Borja; Judiciary general counsel Hyun Jae Lee; Smith, and Heeb. Administrative support was provided by CNMI Bar Association executive director Marcilia “Iya” Teigita, and Mary Grace Legaspi of the Office of the Attorney General.

Smith thanked the volunteers and the community for supporting the effort.

“I just want to say thank you and thank you for the community for having faith in us and trying our first legal aid clinic,” Smith said.