On Friday, April 29, 2016, ELP alumnae and former Research Associate Frances “Frannie” Demapan ’15, took her oath as the newest NMI Bar member. The ceremony was held at the CNMI Supreme Court where her late father Miguel Demapan served as chief justice. Chief Justice Alexandro Castro administered the attorney’s oath for Demapan, as her family, relatives, and friends proudly watched.

Her achievement is particularly momentous, as Demapan is the first child from a judge/chief justice in the CNMI to become a lawyer. In addition to taking and passing the NMI Bar exam, Demapan took and passed the Bar in Hawaii in November 2015. Demapan is currently working at a private law firm in Hawaii and is planning to return to the CNMI this August to work in the government.

Ferdie De La Torre of the Saipan Tribune, conducted an interview with Demapan following the NMI Bar admittance ceremony, which chronicles Demapan’s educational history, her thoughts on the challenging journey to get where she is at today, and her gratitude for all those who supported and encouraged her along the way.

ELP Director David Forman expressed gratitude for the valuable contributions that Demapan made to our program’s ongoing success, adding that he is “looking forward to collaborating on issues of mutual interest in the future.”

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