Koror, Palau – Palau President Johnson Toribiong on Friday September 21 appointed Lalii Chin Sakuma as Chief Public Defender, the first Palauan to hold the title.
Prior to her appointment, Sakuma served as assistant Public Defender. She also has experience as legal counsel representing Palau’s Public Lands Authority, and as an associate for the firm Williams Venker & Sanders in Saint Louis, Missouri.
In 2003, Sakuma completed her Juris doctor at the William S. Richardson School of Law in Hawaii.
She is licensed to practice law in Missouri, Hawaii and Palau.
During the same appointment, President Toribiong also appointed another to serve as Assistant Public Defender. Scott Delaney who served as the Senior Court Counsel of the Republic is now the new Assistant Public Defender.
Delaney is licensed to practice law in Illinois, the U.S District Court for the District of Maryland and the US Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit.
By R. Jonathan, OTV