Governor Leon Guerrero has nominated Dana Gutierrez to serve as the 8th judge of the Superior Court of Guam.
The Guam Judicial Council has repeatedly stated the need for an eighth judge, said the governor during a news conference at Adelup this morning.
She reviewed a list of recommended candidates from the Guam Bar Association, conducted a series of interviews, and decided that Gutierrez meets all of the qualifications, in addition to being a Democrat.
“Dana, we are proud of your accomplishments and we look forward to you assuming a role as Guam’s next Superior Court judge. We know that you will do your part to administer justice fairly and equally. And it’s also an honor to have her be my first appointee after 18 years of Republican appointees I am now appointing a Democrat under our Democratic administration,” the governor said.
Dana Gutierrez, the judge nominee, said: “Each time I take the bench, if I am confirmed, I will always conduct myself the way that the governor conducts herself in her administration with fairness, open-mindedness and with a commitment to justice.”
Gutierrez earned her law degree at the University of Southern California. She has over 20 years of experience in law, serving most recently as an attorney with the Calvo, Fisher, and Jacob law firm.
Judiciary spokesman Shawn Gumataotao said that Gutierrez will have to go through a confirmation process that may not be completed until April.
The Judiciary will have to submit a budget request to cover the cost of her $179,000 salary and the additional costs for a chamber clerk, bailiff, and other staff.
Gumataotao said there are some funded positions at the court that have not been filled so there should be enough money to cover all the salary needs if Gutierrez is confirmed.
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