The CNMI's first Trial Court Judge Herbert D. Soll has passed away. The NMI Supreme Court confirmed his passing in a media release Thursday evening.


"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 high court said.

Judge Soll was appointed and confirmed in 1979. He worked for the Chief Public Defender of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands and 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.


Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro said, "Judge Soll’s legacy will endure and his passion for justice will continue to be felt at the Judiciary years from now.”

CNMI Governor Ralph Torres also released a statement late today saying, “We remember and thank him for his historical contributions to the NMI throughout his career and lifetime."