Associate Justice Kathleen M. Salii, the longest serving justice in the Palau Supreme Court, was appointed by Chief Justice OldiaisNgiraikelau to serve as Presiding Justice of the Trial Division on August 19.
The appointment follows her predecessor’s swearing-in as the Chief Justice of Palau on the same day.
The assignment means that Presiding Justice Salii will oversee the administration of the Trial Division.
In the past, Justice Salii has gained the reputation of a strong female leader, as well as a proponent of conservationism. In 2000, Justice Salii was sworn in as the first woman to serve on the Palau Supreme Court. Prior to this, she served as an Assistant Attorney General from 1993 to 1997, an Acting Attorney General between 1997 and 1998, and then in private practice from 1998 to 2000.
Justice Salii received her law degree from University of Denver College of Law.