Fainu'ulelei L. P. Falefatu Alailima-Utu is an American Samoan lawyer who has served as the Attorney General of American Samoa since 2021.
Fainu'ulelei Alailima-Utu | |
|---|---|
 Alailima-Utu in 2021 | |
| 18th Attorney General of American Samoa | |
| Assumed office January 21, 2021 | |
| Governor | Peleti Mauga |
| Preceded by | Mitzie Jessop Taase (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | American Samoa, U.S. |
| Relatives | Fainu'ulelei S. Utu (father) |
| Education | American Samoa Community College University of California, Los Angeles (BA, JD) |
Early life and career
editAlailima-Utu is the son of former American Samoa House Speaker Fainu'ulelei S. Utu.[1] He attended high school in California, moving back to American Samoa to complete an associate's degree at American Samoa Community College.[2] While attending law school at the University of California, Los Angeles, Alailima-Utu participated in protests over a 1989 police brutality incident.[3]
From 1990 to 2003, he worked in the Attorney General's office, as assistant attorney general. He was the legal counsel for the Development Bank of American Samoa from January 2003 to March 2014.[4] After this period, he was the executive director of American Samoa Legal Aid (ASLA). Under his tenure, ASLA assisted victims of Cyclone Gita[5] and received a grant to expand services to the Manuʻa Islands.[6]
Attorney General
editAlailima-Utu was nominated as Attorney General of American Samoa in January 2021, and approved by a unanimous vote by both the House of Representatives and Senate.[4][7]
References
edit- ^ Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu, Joyetter (February 11, 2014). "DBAS legal counsel asks for career service status". Samoa News. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
- ^ "Fainu'ulelei Falefatu Ala'ilima-Utu". National Association of Attorneys General. Retrieved 2024-03-17.
- ^ Ramos, George (February 21, 1989). "Samoans Protest Tactics of Deputies in Raiding Party". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
- ^ a b Sagapolutele, Fili (January 22, 2021). "New Attorney General unanimously confirmed by both House and Senate". Samoa News. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
- ^ Sagapolutele, Fili (November 23, 2018). "Local legal aid commended for work with Gita victims". Samoa News. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
- ^ "Grant Helps ASLA Provide Legal Services to Manu'a". Talanei. October 24, 2016. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
- ^ Fausia, Ausage (January 25, 2021). "House approves Fainu'ulelei as Attorney General". Samoa News. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
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