Cenzon tapped as judge by governor

by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - "I would like to announce that I will be losing a legal counsel, but the island will be gaining a new superior court judge," stated Guam governor Eddie Calvo. Not even halfway through his term, the island's chief executive finds himself appointing another judicial nominee. And he didn't have to go far, either.

"I'm proud to sign this letter of transmittal to the speaker appointing Maria Cenzon," he said.

Cenzon has been serving as the governor's legal counsel since October last year, taking over the job after her predecessor James Canto was confirmed as a Superior Court judge. She was appointed to fill the vacancy on the bench left by the retirement of Judge Elizabeth Barrett Anderson. During her brief time at Adelup the governor credits her with the success of ending the reign of the Federal Management Team over the Department of Mental Health and DISID.  But Calvo added however she's not just a good attorney but an all-around good person

"And that's what I saw in her she's a woman that not only is intelligent and professional but she has humanity a strong heart," he said.

Cenzon attributes her success to the people that been there for her all her life. "First and foremost, my family my mom and dad instilled in me just the most basic foundation of what's good do the right thing always the golden rule: treat others as you want them to treat you," she said.

Cenzon has been practicing law on Guam for 17 years. She graduated with a bachelor of arts, majoring in English and minoring in business administration, criminology and philosophy in 1992 from Marquette University. She then attended the Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where she received her law degree in 1996. She's worked at several local law firms including serving as partner in the commercial transactions division of Mair Mair Spade and Thompson and partner at Cabot Mantanona and Carlsmith Ball. Prior to serving in the Administration she served as director of policy, planning & community relations for the Unified Judiciary of Guam.

But it was her position here at Adelup however that she found most fulfilling. "This is the hardest job that I ever loved," she said.

And evidently no one knows that better than her mother. "She loved working here," her mother said. "I always ask her are you sure you can do this job I can't even find you. Sometimes she's hungry, I text her I'm hungry and then I say let's go she says I cannot I say okay."

Cenzon was one of only five names of attorneys submitted to the governor by the Guam Bar Association to be considered for the nomination.  Several senators both Democrat and Republican in the meantime were at today's announcement saying they will support her confirmation.