C O N S T I T UTION

OF THE

AMERICAN SAMOA BAR ASSOCIATION

ARTICLE I. NAME.

The name of this Association shall be the American Samoa Bar Association.

ARTICLE II. OBJECTS AND PURPOSES.

This Association shall have as it objects and purposes:

1) The improvement of the administration of justice.

2) A program of continuing legal education for members of the Bar.

• The cultivation of the science of jurisprudence.
• The promotion of reform in the law.
• The preservation of high standards of integrity, honor, and courtesy in the 1egal profession.
• The exertion of influence of good on the life of the community.
• The establishment of an alliance with the bar associations of other jurisdictions and the American Samoa Bar Association.
• Publication of a legal journal.
• Discipline of the members of the Bar.
• The cultivation of the spirit of brotherhood and, good fellowship among the members.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP.

Section 1. Any person admitted to the practice of law on a regular basis for any division of the High Court of American Samoa shall be a member of this Bar Association.

Section 2. Classes of Membership. The bylaws may provide for classes of membership.

Section 3. Termination or Suspension of Membership. Membership may be terminated or suspended in accordance with the disciplinary rules and procedures and other rules and procedures, promulgated by the Chief Justice of American Samoa.

ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS.

The Officers of this Association shall be a president, a vice president, a secretary, a treasurer, and a Delegate to the American Bar Association.

Section 1. Terms of Office. The president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer shall be elected for one-year terms at the annual meeting in the manner prescribed in the bylaws. The ABA Delegate shall be elected for two-year terms at the annual meeting in the manner prescribed in the bylaws.

Section 2. Vacancies. If the Office of the president should become vacant the Vice President shall become president for the Association for the unexpired term.

Amendments: 2011 to add the ABA Delegate.

ARTICLE V. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

Section 1. Members. There shall be an executive committee of this Association consisting of the president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and two members elected by majority vote of the Association, whose duties shall be to plan the Association's activities, to represent the Association, and to manage its affairs during intervals between meetings.

Section 2. Vacancies. The executive committee shall have the authority to fill any vacancies except that of the president, occurring from any cause, from among the officers of the Association for the balance of the unexpired term.

Section 3. Executive Committee Meetings. The Executive Committee shall meet monthly, and additional meetings may be called by the president or upon written request of any three of its members.

ARTICLE VI. COMMITTEES.

Section 1. Standing committees. Standing committees of the Association shall consist of the Committee on the Continuing Legal Education of the Bar, the Ethics and Grievance Committee, the Law Reform Committee, and the Community Outreach and Service Committee. Each of said committees shall consist of a chairman and as many members as the president shall designate, to be appointed by him, and such committee appointments shall be for a term of on year. Duties of these committees shall be specified in the bylaws.

Amendments: 2010 to add the Law Reform Committee, and the Community Outreach and Service Committee.

Section 2. Special Committees. The president may appoint special committees and define their duties. Special committees shall automatically cease to exist at the end of the term of office of the appointing president, unless continued by the new president.

ARTICLE VII. BYLAWS.

The Association shall adopt bylaws for the conduct of its affairs in harmony with this constitution.

ARTICLE VIII. AMENDMENTS.

This constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting at any annual meeting or at any special meeting called for that purpose, provided that written notice of proposed amendments shall have been mailed to the members not less than ten days in advance of such meeting.

Notes: The notice requirements in the Constitution and Bylaws are to be understood as follows: (1) “Written notice” and notice by letter may be satisfied through traditional US Postal Service delivery (or other delivery service), written documents placed in the Court folders, or through electronic mail. (2) “Mail” shall include traditional mail, electronic mail, or court folder. Adopted April 2011.

ARTICLE IX. EFFECTIVE DATE.

This constitution shall take effect on its approval by a majority of the regular members present and voting at the March 21, 1973 meeting, at any subsequent regular meeting, or at a special meeting called for such purpose.

I certify this to be a true copy of the Constitution of the American Samoa Bar Association in effect on this date.

Dated this 31st day of January, 1983.

/s/ Martin R. Yerick_______________

MARTIN R. YERICK

Secretary