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{{Short description|American Samoan judge}}
{{Short description|American Samoan judge (born 1960)}}
{{Draft topics|biography}}
{{AfC topic|blp}}
{{AfC submission|||ts=20231026012454|u=38.101.165.93|ns=118}}
{{AfC submission/draft}}

{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Fiti A. Sunia
| name = Fiti A. Sunia
| office = [[Associate justice|Associate Justice]] of the [[High Court of American Samoa]]
| office = Associate Justice of the [[High Court of American Samoa]]
| appointer = [[David Bernhardt]]
| term_start = January 4, 2019
| term_start = January 4, 2019
| nominator = [[David Bernhardt]]
| term_end =
| predecessor = Lyle L. Richmond
| predecessor = Lyle Richmond
| office2 = Judge of the District Court of American Samoa
| successor =
| office2 = Judge of the [[Judiciary of American Samoa|District Court of American Samoa]]
| appointer2 = [[Lolo Matalasi Moliga|Lolo Moliga]]
| term_start2 = January 15, 2016
| term_start2 = January 15, 2016
| term_end2 = January 4, 2019
| term_end2 = January 4, 2019
| nominator2 = [[Lolo Matalasi Moliga]]
| predecessor2 = John Ward
| successor2 = Gwen Tauili'ili-Langkilde<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.samoanews.com/local-news/senate-confirms-new-district-court-judge-gwen-tauiliili-langkilde |title=Senate confirms new District Court Judge Gwen Tauiliili-Langkilde |date=February 18, 2021 |website=www.samoanews.com}}</ref>
| predecessor2 = John L. Ward II
| successor2 = Gwen F. Tauiliili-Langkilde
| office3 = [[Attorney General of American Samoa]]
| office3 = [[Attorney General of American Samoa]]
⚫
| governor3 = [[Tauese Sunia]]<br>[[Togiola Tulafono]]
| term_start3 = January 1, 2002
| term_start3 = January 1, 2002
| term_end3 = December 31, 2004
| term_end3 = December 31, 2004
⚫
| nominator3 = [[Tauese Sunia|Tauese Pita Sunia]]
| predecessor3 = Toetagata Albert Mailo
| predecessor3 = Toetagata Albert Mailo
| successor3 = Sialega Malaetasi Togafau
| successor3 = [[Malaetasi Togafau]]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1960|08|29}}
| birth_name = Fiti Alesana Sunia
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1960|8|29}}
⚫
| education = [[Drake University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br>[[American University]] ([[Master of Arts|MA]])<br>[[Howard University School of Law|Howard University]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]])
| birth_place = [[Honolulu]], [[Hawaii]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Honolulu]], [[Hawaii]], U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| relatives = [[Fofō Iosefa Fiti Sunia|Fofō Sunia]] (father)<br>[[Tauese Sunia]] (uncle)<br>[[Faoa Aitofele Sunia|Faoa Sunia]] (uncle)
⚫
| education = [[Drake University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br>[[American University]] ([[Master of Public Administration|MPA]])<br>[[Howard University]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]])
}}
}}
⚫
'''Fiti Alesana Sunia''' (born August 29, 1960) is an American lawyer who has served as the associate justice of the [[High Court of American Samoa]] since 2019.

⚫
'''Fiti Alesana Sunia''' (born August 29, 1960) is the [[Associate justice|Associate Justice]] of the [[High Court of American Samoa]].


== Early life and education ==
== Early life and education ==
Sunia was born on August 29, 1960 in [[Honolulu]], [[Hawaii]]. He graduated from [[Samoana High School]] in [[Utulei, American Samoa|Utulei]], [[American Samoa]].
Sunia was born on August 29, 1960, in [[Honolulu]], [[Hawaii]]. He attended [[Samoana High School]] in [[Utulei, American Samoa|Utulei]], [[American Samoa]] before finishing high school at [[Mid-Pacific Institute]] in Honolulu.


Sunia earned his [[bachelor's degree]] in [[public administration]] from [[Drake University]] and, in 1983, earned a [[master's degree]] in public administration from [[American University]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2014-03-28 |title=Confirmation hearing scheduled for Fiti Sunia, for Judge Pro Tem for District Court |url=https://www.samoanews.com/confirmation-hearing-scheduled-fiti-sunia-judge-pro-tem-district-court |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=www.samoanews.com |language=en}}</ref> He earned his [[Juris Doctor|J.D.]] from [[Howard University School of Law|Howard University]] in 1993.
Sunia earned his [[bachelor's degree]] in [[public administration]] from [[Drake University]] and, in 1983, earned a [[master's degree]] in public administration from [[American University]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2014-03-28 |title=Confirmation hearing scheduled for Fiti Sunia, for Judge Pro Tem for District Court |url=https://www.samoanews.com/confirmation-hearing-scheduled-fiti-sunia-judge-pro-tem-district-court |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=www.samoanews.com |language=en}}</ref> He earned his [[Juris Doctor|J.D.]] from [[Howard University School of Law|Howard University]] in 1993.


== Career ==
== Career ==
After earning his master's degree, Sunia worked as a [[Congressional staff]]er to [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]] [[Mervyn Dymally]] of [[California's 31st congressional district|California]].<ref>https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GPO-CRECB-1988-pt7/pdf/GPO-CRECB-1988-pt7-6-2.pdf</ref>
Sunia began his legal career at [[Squire Patton Boggs|Patton Boggs]] in [[Washington, D.C.]] from 1993 to 1997.<ref name=":0" /> He returned to American Samoa in 1997, joining the territory's [[attorney general]] office. From 2002 to 2004, Sunia served as the [[Attorney General of American Samoa]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=AG Bio |url=https://www.legalaffairs.as.gov/ag-bio |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=legal-affairs |language=en}}</ref> He then started his own private practice in American Samoa.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-01-07 |title=Fiti Sunia appointed as new Associate Justice of the High Court |url=https://www.samoanews.com/local-news/fiti-sunia-appointed-new-associate-justice-high-court |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=www.samoanews.com |language=en}}</ref>


On January 15, 2016, Sunia was confirmed by the [[American Samoa Senate]] as a [[judge]] of the [[Government of American Samoa|District Court of American Samoa]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Judge Fiti Sunia Replaces Judge Ward in District Court |url=https://www.talanei.com/2016/01/15/judge-fiti-sunia-replaces-judge-ward-in-district-court/ |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=Talanei |language=en-US}}</ref>
Sunia began his legal career at [[Squire Patton Boggs|Patton Boggs]] in [[Washington, D.C.]] from 1993 to 1997.<ref name=":0" /> He returned to American Samoa in 1997, joining the territory's [[attorney general]] office. From 2002 to 2004, Sunia served as the [[Attorney General of American Samoa]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=AG Bio |url=https://www.legalaffairs.as.gov/ag-bio |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=legal-affairs |language=en}}</ref> He then started his own private practice in American Samoa.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-01-07 |title=Fiti Sunia appointed as new Associate Justice of the High Court |url=https://www.samoanews.com/local-news/fiti-sunia-appointed-new-associate-justice-high-court |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=www.samoanews.com |language=en}}</ref>


On January 4, 2019, [[United States Secretary of the Interior]] [[David Bernhardt]] appointed Sunia as the Associate Justice of the High Court of American Samoa.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fiti Sunia is Interior’s choice for Associate Justice |url=https://www.talanei.com/2019/01/04/fiti-sunia-is-interiors-choice-for-associate-justice/ |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=Talanei |language=en-US}}</ref> Chief Justice [[Michael Kruse (judge)|F. Michael Kruse]] serves alongside Sunia.
On January 15, 2016, Sunia was confirmed by the [[American Samoa Senate]] as a judge of the [[Judiciary of American Samoa|District Court of American Samoa]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Judge Fiti Sunia Replaces Judge Ward in District Court |url=https://www.talanei.com/2016/01/15/judge-fiti-sunia-replaces-judge-ward-in-district-court/ |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=Talanei |language=en-US}}</ref>

On January 4, 2019, [[United States Secretary of the Interior]] [[David Bernhardt]] appointed Sunia as the associate justice of the High Court of American Samoa.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fiti Sunia is Interior’s choice for Associate Justice |url=https://www.talanei.com/2019/01/04/fiti-sunia-is-interiors-choice-for-associate-justice/ |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=Talanei |language=en-US}}</ref> Chief Justice [[Michael Kruse (judge)|F. Michael Kruse]] serves alongside Sunia.


== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
Sunia's father, [[Fofō Iosefa Fiti Sunia|Fofō Sunia]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.talanei.com/2020/08/10/auafa-o-upu-is-latest-book-by-fofo-i-f-sunia/|title=‘Auafa o Upu is Latest Book by Fofo I.F. Sunia|website=Talanei}}</ref> served as the first [[Non-voting members of the United States House of Representatives|non-voting Delegate]] from [[American Samoa's at-large congressional district|American Samoa]] to the [[United States House of Representatives]]. His uncle, [[Tauese Sunia]], was the fifth elected [[List of governors of American Samoa|Governor of American Samoa]].
⚫
Sunia carries the [[Faʻamatai|title]] of Muagutitia.<ref name=":1" />

⚫
Sunia carries the [[Faʻamatai|matai title]] of Muagutitia in [[Pu'apu'a]], [[Samoa]].<ref name=":1" />


== References ==
== References ==
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{{s-start}}
{{s-legal}}
{{s-bef|before=Lyle Richmond}}
{{s-ttl|title=Associate Justice of the [[High Court of American Samoa]]|years=2019–present}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-end}}

{{American Samoa political officials}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sunia, Fiti A.}}
[[Category:1960 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American Samoan lawyers]]
[[Category:American University School of Public Affairs alumni]]
[[Category:Drake University alumni]]
[[Category:Howard University School of Law alumni]]
[[Category:Justices of the High Court of American Samoa]]
[[Category:Lawyers from Honolulu]]
[[Category:United States congressional aides]]

Latest revision as of 14:21, 27 July 2024

Fiti A. Sunia
Associate Justice of the High Court of American Samoa
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 4, 2019
Appointed byDavid Bernhardt
Preceded byLyle Richmond
Judge of the District Court of American Samoa
In office
January 15, 2016 – January 4, 2019
Appointed byLolo Moliga
Preceded byJohn Ward
Succeeded byGwen Tauili'ili-Langkilde[1]
Attorney General of American Samoa
In office
January 1, 2002 – December 31, 2004
GovernorTauese Sunia
Togiola Tulafono
Preceded byToetagata Albert Mailo
Succeeded byMalaetasi Togafau
Personal details
Born
Fiti Alesana Sunia

(1960-08-29) August 29, 1960 (age 64)
Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
RelativesFofō Sunia (father)
Tauese Sunia (uncle)
Faoa Sunia (uncle)
EducationDrake University (BA)
American University (MPA)
Howard University (JD)

Fiti Alesana Sunia (born August 29, 1960) is an American lawyer who has served as the associate justice of the High Court of American Samoa since 2019.

Early life and education

[edit]

Sunia was born on August 29, 1960, in Honolulu, Hawaii. He attended Samoana High School in Utulei, American Samoa before finishing high school at Mid-Pacific Institute in Honolulu.

Sunia earned his bachelor's degree in public administration from Drake University and, in 1983, earned a master's degree in public administration from American University.[2] He earned his J.D. from Howard University in 1993.

Career

[edit]

After earning his master's degree, Sunia worked as a Congressional staffer to U.S. Representative Mervyn Dymally of California.[3]

Sunia began his legal career at Patton Boggs in Washington, D.C. from 1993 to 1997.[2] He returned to American Samoa in 1997, joining the territory's attorney general office. From 2002 to 2004, Sunia served as the Attorney General of American Samoa.[4] He then started his own private practice in American Samoa.[2][5]

On January 15, 2016, Sunia was confirmed by the American Samoa Senate as a judge of the District Court of American Samoa.[6]

On January 4, 2019, United States Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt appointed Sunia as the associate justice of the High Court of American Samoa.[7] Chief Justice F. Michael Kruse serves alongside Sunia.

Personal life

[edit]

Sunia's father, Fofō Sunia,[8] served as the first non-voting Delegate from American Samoa to the United States House of Representatives. His uncle, Tauese Sunia, was the fifth elected Governor of American Samoa.

Sunia carries the matai title of Muagutitia in Pu'apu'a, Samoa.[6]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Senate confirms new District Court Judge Gwen Tauiliili-Langkilde". www.samoanews.com. February 18, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "Confirmation hearing scheduled for Fiti Sunia, for Judge Pro Tem for District Court". www.samoanews.com. 2014-03-28. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  3. ^ https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GPO-CRECB-1988-pt7/pdf/GPO-CRECB-1988-pt7-6-2.pdf
  4. ^ "AG Bio". legal-affairs. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
  5. ^ "Fiti Sunia appointed as new Associate Justice of the High Court". www.samoanews.com. 2019-01-07. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
  6. ^ a b "Judge Fiti Sunia Replaces Judge Ward in District Court". Talanei. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
  7. ^ "Fiti Sunia is Interior's choice for Associate Justice". Talanei. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
  8. ^ "'Auafa o Upu is Latest Book by Fofo I.F. Sunia". Talanei.
Legal offices
Preceded by
Lyle Richmond
 Associate Justice of the High Court of American Samoa
2019–present 		Incumbent
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Fiti_A._Sunia&oldid=1236981336"