Past Events
Aug
25
Dog Law
The ASBA teamed up with the American Samoa Humane Society and presented a panel discussion on the laws pertaining to vicious dogs in the territory. The event was held at the Feleti Barstow Public Library on March 30, 2011. ASBA President Sean Morrison moderated a panel of attorneys who were members of both organizations.
Kelly Dixon, Assistant Attorney General for criminal division and former ASBA Secretary, spoke on the criminal laws pertaining to vicious dogs.
Lisa Johns, Assistant Attorney General for civil division, spoke on the definition of ownership and possession in vicious dog laws.
The panel produced a Q&A pamphlet for the public.
Dog Law Pamphlet (1.86 mb)
Aug
25
Disaster Legal Services
GALUEGA FA'ALETULAFONO MO FA'ALAVELAVE
FA'AFUASE'I LEMA'ALOFIA
The American Samoa Bar Association, in partnership with the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, provided free legal assistance to low income victims of the September 29, 2009 earthquake and tsunami. Beginning November 16, 2009, the Disaster Legal Services clinic was held Mondays through Fridays from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the H. Rex Lee Auditorium in Utulei. The clinic visited certain affected villages on Saturdays once per month. Prospective clients could call (684) 258-9830 for appointments or phone consultations. The program has ended. Keala Ede led the DLS effort.
Pamphlets were made for information on the following topics.
English (FAAPERETANIA)
FAASAMOA (Samoan)
Aug
23
40th Anniversary Law Conference
On April 28, 2012, the American Samoa Bar Association hosted its 40th Anniversary Law Conference at the ASCC Lecture Hall. The event was well attended and brought improtant legal issues straight to the people. Roy Hall gave a fascinating, and at times humerous, account of the Bar Association's history. Judge Patea introduced the Bar to JustWare, the Court's new case management software. Sharron Rancourt presented the first Arthur A. Morrow Justice Award to an emotional Ipu Lefiti. Nathan Mease moderated a timely panel discussion on citizenship in American Samoa. The panel included Fainu'ulelei Falefatu Uiagalelei, Charles Alailima, Roy Hall, and Afoa Moega Lutu. It was a lively discussion that laid out many of the legal and political issues, while responding to questions from the public.
Below are some documents and videos from the conference. The videos, taken together, include the entire four hour conference.
Flyer (pdf)
Law Conference in the News:
ASBA Conference Promoting "Justice and the Rule of Law" - Samoa News
Bar Association Hears of New Software Purchased to Streamline Court Cases - Samoa News
Attorneys Say Citizenship Issue Warrants More Public Discussion - KHJ via Talanei.com
Ipu Avegalio Lefiti: Hardest Thing for Victim is to Speak the Truth - KHJ via Talanei.com
Attorney Says Blood Requirement For Land Ownership Not a Samoan Concept - KHJ via Talanei.com
Videos of the Law Conference
Introduction and Opening Prayer
40 Years of Promoting Justice: The History of the ASBA
Judge Patea: The High Court's Case Management System
Presentation of the Bar Justice Award to Ms. Ipu Lefiti
Panel on Citizenship in American Samoa
