Kim-Tenorio gets above ‘good’ overall average rating

Superior Court Associate Judge Teresa K. Kim-Tenorio received an above “good” overall average rating in the CNMI Bar Association’s evaluation of her performance on the bench.

Tenorio is seeking her second retention on the bench in the upcoming Nov. 5 general elections. She handles the CNMI Drug Court. In 2017, she was also appointed to preside over the Family Court docket.

Under the CNMI Constitution, the question whether justices or judges will be retained shall be put to a vote at a general election immediately before the end of that justice’s or judge’s initial term of office.

According to the Bar Association’s results of the performance evaluation released yesterday, Tenorio obtained “good” total average ratings in all criteria, or 4.94, which is near the “excellent” 5 rating scale.

“Good” or a rating of 4 means the magistrate often exceeds minimum standards of performance, while “excellent” or 5 means the judge consistently exceeds minimum standards of performance.

“Unacceptable” or a rating of 1 means the magistrate seldom meets minimum standards of performance, “deficient” or a rating of 2 means the judge does not always meet minimum standards of performance. “Acceptable” or a rating of 3 means the judge meets minimum standards of performance.

There are four main criteria: legal ability, integrity and impartiality, communication skills, and professionalism and temperament.

Tenorio received highest rate in the professionalism and temperament criteria as she received 4.4 in the sub-criteria “deals with pro se litigants and litigation fairly and effectively,” 4.7 in the sub-criteria “participates and provides leadership to an appropriate degree in professional development activities,” and 4.6 sub-criteria “promotes public understanding of and confidence in the courts.”

On legal ability, Tenorio got 4.1 in the sub-criteria legal reasoning ability, 4.2 in the sub-criteria knowledge of substantive law, and 4.1 in the sub-criteria knowledge of rules of procedure and evidence.

On integrity and impartiality, Tenorio received 4.5 in the sub-criteria “avoids impropriety and appearance of impropriety,” 4.1 in the sub-criteria “treats all people with dignity, respect, and patience, 4.6 in the sub-criteria “free of racial ethnic, or national origin bias.

She also received 4.4 in the sub-criteria free of gender bias,” 4.6 in sub-criteria “free of religious bias,” 4.7 both in the sub-criteria “free of disability bias and free of age bias,” 4.6 in the sub-criteria “free of sexual orientation bias,” and 4.5 in the sub-criteria “free of socioeconomic bias.”

Pertaining to communication skills, Tenorio received 4.4 in the sub-criteria “clear and logical oral communication and argument while in court,” and 4.2 in sub-criteria “clear and logical written arguments.”

According to NMI Bar Association president Charity Hodson, there are currently approximately 157 active attorneys in the association, with 93 attorneys with active status on-island.

The survey period closed on Oct. 1, 2024, with 29 surveys submitted.

Hodson said the number of responders who support the petition for Tenorio’s retention is 28, while one opposed.

Hodson said these evaluations are intended to provide information to the people of the CNMI in order to assist them in making reasoned decisions about whether to retain candidates for judicial office during general elections, as it is in the interest of the people of the Commonwealth to have judicial officers of the highest caliber.

The evaluation was conducted according to the NMI Bar Association’s “resolution to establish and implement a procedure for evaluation of judicial nominees and candidates for judicial retention.”

In the 2018 general elections, CNMI voters retained Kim-Tenorio, who was first sworn in as associate judge of the Superior Court on Dec. 22, 2013. Her first term expired on Dec. 22, 2019. She was first nominated to the bench on Oct. 3, 2013.

Charity Hodson

Teresa K. Kim-Tenorio