Michael Kruse | |
|---|---|
| Chief Justice of the High Court of American Samoa | |
| Assumed office November 1, 1988 | |
| Preceded by | Grover J. Rees III |
| Judge Pro Tempore at the District Court of American Samoa | |
| In office 1979–1985 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 27, 1948 |
| Education | Victoria University of Wellington (LLB) George Washington University (MCL)[1][2] |
Lealaialoa F. Michael Kruse (born January 27, 1948)[1] is the Chief Justice of the High Court of American Samoa. Kruse made history as the first person of Samoan descent to be appointed Chief Justice of the High Court of American Samoa, breaking the precedent of previous appointments being held exclusively by Caucasians. Kruse earned his AB degree from Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand, and later obtained a law degree from George Washington University Law School in Washington, DC. He practiced law for 11 years at the firm of Kruse, Sunia, and Ward in Pago Pago before being appointed Chief Justice by U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Donald Hodel. In January 2009, Kruse was chosen to serve as Secretary of the Pacific Judicial Council, a group comprising judges and justices from across the Pacific region.[3]
- ^ a b "Conference of CHIEF JUSTICES Conference of STATE COURT ADMINISTRATORS 1997". 1997. p. 8. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
- ^ "Samoan named to judgeship". Pacific Daily News. Associated Press. March 6, 1987. p. 3. Retrieved August 22, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Craig, Robert D. (2011). Historical Dictionary of Polynesia. Scarecrow Press. Page 139. ISBN 9780810867727.
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