Am Samoa Legal Aid celebrates 10 years of service to community

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Today, May 1, 2025, the American Samoa Legal Aid (ASLA) celebrates 10 years of service to the people of American Samoa. ASLA first opened its doors on May 1, 2015. This anniversary coincides with national Law Day, an annual event to honor the rule of law and cultivate a deeper understanding of the legal system. 

ASLA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides free civil legal services to low-income residents of American Samoa. In a decade of operation, ASLA has provided legal assistance to 9,636 individuals. In 2024, ASLA provided civil legal assistance to 1,622 residents in new and ongoing matters.

ASLA has eight priorities for the free civil legal services that it provides:

  •        Maintaining Economic Stability for Families and Individuals;

  •        Obtaining Necessary Health Care for Families and Individuals;

  •        Preserving Safety and Stability of Families;

  •        Supporting Educational Opportunities;

  •        Preserving the Home;

  •        Protecting People with Special Vulnerabilities;

  •        Protecting and Supporting Veterans; and

  •        Assisting Victims of Disaster.                 

ASLA’s primary funder is the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, established by the U.S. Congress in 1974. LSC is the largest national funder of civil legal aid for low-income Americans, ensuring equal access to justice for those who need it most.

ASLA has been fortunate to receive federal grants from the U.S. Department of Justice, as well as those administered by the American Samoa Government, including the first-phase of grants awarded under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and the Community Services Block Grant. ASLA has timely filed a new application with the Criminal Justice Planning Agency and ARPA Nonprofit Assistance Program (NAP). ASLA is also grateful for annual donations from the American Samoa Bar Association and other generous civic-minded donors.

Today, ASLA is pleased to announce the return of Fainu'ulelei Falefatu Ala'ilima-Utu as Executive Director. Fainu'ulelei previously held this post from 2015 to 2020, before he served as Attorney General of American Samoa from 2021 to 2024. Fainu'ulelei returned as ASLA Executive Director in January 2025. He is committed to providing access to justice and free civil legal services to low-income, disadvantaged and vulnerable residents of American Samoa.

In addition to the Executive Director, ASLA has one part-time staff attorney and four legal support staff. The organization seeks to hire additional staff attorneys, but the task has proven difficult, due in part to recent federal funding cuts, and a shortage of attorney applicants locally and off-island. This is a challenge often shared by local government law offices, impacting attorney staffing at both the offices of the Attorney General and the Public Defender.

 ASLA oversight is provided by a five-member Board of Directors, all serving on a volunteer basis. Marian McGuire Ale is the Board Chair and is joined by fellow lawyers Kristi Thaxton and Nathaniel Savali. Tafaimamao Tua-Tupuola and Larry Sanitoa, leading community advocates, contribute their valuable insight. ASLA is also greatly assisted by counsel Chuck Greenfield, a trusted advisor and an original founder of the organization.

ASLA dedicates today’s 10-year milestone to Terrie Hartman Bullinger. For many years, Terrie served as a local Assistant Attorney General handling cases related to child protective services and at-risk youth. Terrie was one of the devoted individuals instrumental in establishing ASLA. She passed away on July 24, 2024, in her home state of Michigan. ASLA remembers Terrie with gratitude for her dedicated service to ASLA and the Territory.

On behalf of the ASLA Board, Management and Staff, Executive Director Fainu'ulelei Ala'ilima-Utu extends his deepest thanks to all who have contributed to ASLA’s growth and achievements over the past decade.

“Viia le Atua. Fa'afetai mo le tapuaiga Amerika Samoa. O upu a le atunu'u, e le sili le ta'i i lo le tapua'i.

“ASLA is grateful for the essential support from all grantors and donors as we hear of cuts in certain federal programs.

“We trust in God to provide resources so that ASLA can continue to serve the people of American Samoa.”

For more information, please visit the ASLA office in the village of Pago Pago at the Letialua Building 2nd Floor, call 684-633-3300, or visit the website at www.aslegalaid.org.