Bill No. to 253-32 to Support local Law Practitioners

by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - The Guam Legislature is answering the call to help an Assistant Attorney General forced to choose between serving in the Guam Army National Guard and the Attorney General's office. Assistant AG Jonathan Quan is a Captain in the GNG and is a Judge Advocate. He is the subject of an investigation by the Guam Bar Ethics Committee. According to Guam law enacted during the 31^st Guam Legislature it prohibits attorneys employed by the Department of Law to engage in the practice of law outside of the agency.  AG Rapadas and AAG Quan have written letters to Senators requesting that specific provision in Guam law be repealed. Today, Senators Frank Aguon, Jr., Ben Pangelinan and Tom Ada introduced Bill 253. The legislation would amend the law to allow Quan to continue serving as an AAG and a Judge Advocate in the National Guard.

 

The Bill states:

 "Attorneys employed in the Department who serve in the guard and/or reserve, either under Title 10 or Title 32 of the U.S. Code and whose service does not conflict with the duties within the Department of Law, shall be excluded from the application of this provision, subject to the approval of the Attorney General."

 

 

 "It is important that we continue to support our service members and their duties outside of military service. The ability for an individual to interchangeably serve as a law practitioner in their civilian capacity and during their time of military service is commendable and should be supported as these individuals are dedicating their time to serve our community and military personnel," said Sen. Aguon.