Tribute to Lorrie Johnson-Asher from PILON Litigation Skills Faculty

It is with much sadness that the faculty of the PILON litigation skills programme acknowledge the passing of fellow faculty member, Lorrie Johnson-Asher.

Lorrie obtained her law degree from the University of the South Pacific School of Law in 2002.  For eleven years she was a prosecutor for the various Attorney-General’s offices throughout the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM).  She first served as an Assistant Attorney-General for the Pohnpei State Government in 2004, then moved on to the Federal Government’s Department of Justice in 2008. 

In 2013, Lorrie was appointed as the Attorney-General for Kosrae State Government. In 2010, Lorrie obtained her LLM Degree from the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law. With a keen interest in the protection of human rights, Lorrie joined the FSM criminal defense team at the FSM Office of the Public Defender in March 2015.  In September 2015, she was appointed the Chief Public Defender for the FSM and became a cabinet member to FSM President, H.E. Peter Christian.

We came to meet, and get to know, Lorrie when she was a participant in the Litigation Skills programme; first in the 2010 Basic course in Vanuatu and then in the 2016 Advanced course in New Zealand.  With her admirable skills together with her personable nature, Lorrie became an obvious target for recruitment as faculty for future courses.

Participating as faculty for a senior government lawyer is a big commitment in time and energy but offers the chance not only to share skills but also to increase continuing education opportunities in their home offices. Lorrie was a hard-working teacher which, in combination with her gentle manner and natural flair for teaching, made her an immediate friend and colleague to all other faculty. She inspired both the participants and her fellow faculty to achieve their best.

The news of her death, with so much achieved and obviously so much still ahead of her, was met with shock and grief by all those who had the PILON faculty connection.

In addition to her many professional accomplishments, Lorrie was a lovely woman. She was clever, courageous, warm and fun. Lorrie was a leader of the Pasifika region, committed to access to justice and upholding the rule of law. She will be greatly missed by all those that knew her. We pay special tribute to her husband, their children, families and community.