The Judiciary of Guam formally installed the Katherine A. Maraman as chief justice of the Supreme Court during a ceremony Tuesday at the Judicial Center.
Maraman begins her second term leading Guam’s judiciary, reaffirming continuity and experience in the administration of the island’s court system. As chief justice, she oversees the operations of the judicial branch, works to ensure the fair and timely administration of justice, and guides policies that affect public access to the courts.
The installation ceremony was attended by judicial officers, government leaders, members of the legal community, and the public. During her remarks, Maraman outlined her priorities for the judiciary, including strengthening rehabilitation efforts, ensuring equal justice under the law, protecting court operations and technology, and continuing to invest in court employees.
“As chief justice, I am cognizant that my role is twofold– my duties as a jurist to decide cases brought before the Supreme Court, and my administrative responsibilites as head of the judicial branch of Guam,” Maraman said. “My responsibility is to ensure a court system that operates efficiently and fairly, allocates resources thoughtfully and responsibly, invests in our physical and technological infrastructure, and works cooperatively with our sister branches. This is what our people expect from their third branch of government, and it is my commitment to you.”
Maraman also emphasized the importance of court employees in maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of the judicial system, noting that their work is essential to the delivery of justice.
Maraman joined the Supreme Court of Guam in 2008 and previously served as chief justice from January 2017 to January 2020, becoming the first woman to hold the position. Prior to her appointment to the Supreme Court, she served for 14 years as a judge of the Superior Court of Guam.
In addition to her service on Guam’s highest court, Maraman also serves as a part-time associate justice for the Supreme Court of Palau and as justice pro tempore for the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Her new term as chief justice begins immediately and will run through January 2029.
