of Guam Judicial Center Suite 300 120 West O’Brien Drive, Hagåtña, Guam 96910-5174 www.guamsupremecourt.com Telephone: +1(671) 475-3162/80● Facsimile: +1(671) 475-3140

HON. F. PHILIP CARBULLIDO HANNAH G. ARROYO CLERK OF COURT

Supreme Court of Guam first Virtual Appellate Argument a success

May 1, 2020

(Hagatna, Guam) - The of Guam kicked off Law Day today by holding a successful virtual appellate argument case via video conference. Chief Justice F. Philip Carbullido, Associate Justice Katherine Maraman, and Associate Justice Robert J. Torres heard the case of Palmer v. Mariana Stones Corp.

"This year, our virtual hearing using Zoom video conferencing software expands our outreach effort to the entire island," said Chief Justice Carbullido. "We recognize the need to adhere to the stay-at- home directives, but we must also continue the work of our court."

In previous Law Week activities, the Supreme Court has held outreach oral argument events giving high school and college students an opportunity to experience the appellate process. Even during this quarantine period, the Court will still provide the opportunity for the community to witness the process through our YouTube channel.

“We are so honored to have been able to take part in this historic event and are pleased at how flawlessly it went. Although there is a lot of uncertainty right now, it is important that people are still able to have their day in court which we were able to accomplish today," said Attorney Genevieve Rapadas.

In the hearing today, Marianas Stone Corp. was represented by Attorney Peter C. Perez, and Attorney Genevieve Rapadas, of the law firm Calvo Fisher & Jacob, argued for Palmer.

The island’s highest court joins more than 30 state supreme courts now holding oral arguments by videoconference, according to data from the National Center for State Courts.

To watch the virtual appellate argument heard this morning, please visit our Judiciary of Guam YouTube channel by clicking this link: Judiciary of Guam YouTube Channel.

Happy Law Day!

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For more information, please contact Tina Blaz at [email protected].