Lealaialoa Fredrickus Michael Kruse (born January 27, 1948) is the Chief Justice of the High Court of American Samoa. Kruse made history as the first person of Samoan descent to be appointed Chief Justice of the High Court of American Samoa. Kruse earned his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws degree from Victoria University in

Wellington, New Zealand Wellington is Capital of New Zealand, the capital city of New Zealand. It is located at the south-western tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Remutaka Range. Wellington is the List of cities in New Zealand, third-largest city ...

, and later obtained an Master of Comparative Law degree from

George Washington University Law School The George Washington University Law School (GW Law) is the law school of George Washington University, a Private university, private research university in Washington, D.C. Established in 1865, GW Law is the oldest law school in Washington, D. ...

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. He practiced law for 11 years at the firm of Kruse, Sunia, and Ward in

Pago Pago Pago Pago ( or ; Samoan language, Samoan: )Harris, Ann G. and Esther Tuttle (2004). ''Geology of National Parks''. Kendall Hunt. Page 604. . is the capital of American Samoa. It is in Maoputasi County, American Samoa, Maoputasi County on Tutuila ...

before being appointed Chief Justice by U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Donald Hodel. In January 2009, Kruse was chosen to serve as Secretary of the Pacific Judicial Council, a group comprising judges and justices from across the Pacific region.

Early life and education

Born in Utulei and raised in Leone, his early life was marked by diverse work experiences, including roles as a planter, hog farmer, construction laborer, delivery vendor, stevedore, carpenter, baker, retailer, warehouseman, and corporate officer. He was the son of Masoe Fritz Kruse, a Member of Parliament, and Peleiupu Aigamaua Kruse. From a young age, Kruse was actively involved in his parents' business ventures, which included farming, merchandising, and management. Kruse’s education began in Leone and continued in

Apia Apia () is the Capital (political), capital and largest city of Samoa. It is located on the central north coast of Upolu, Samoa's second-largest island. Apia falls within the political district (''itūmālō'') of Tuamasaga. The Apia Urban A ...

Western Samoa Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa and known until 1997 as Western Samoa, is an island country in Polynesia, part of Oceania, in the South Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main islands ( Savai'i and Upolu), two smaller, inhabit ...

, before he attended high school in

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. He earned his bachelor’s and law degrees from Victoria University in

Wellington Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand. It is located at the south-western tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Remutaka Range. Wellington is the third-largest city in New Zealand (second largest in the North Island ...

and pursued post-graduate studies at the National Law Center of

George Washington University The George Washington University (GW or GWU) is a Private university, private University charter#Federal, federally-chartered research university in Washington, D.C., United States. Originally named Columbian College, it was chartered in 1821 by ...

in Washington, DC, where he obtained a Master of Comparative Law degree. During his time in DC, he also worked part-time in the office of A. U. Fuimaono, the first delegate from American Samoa to the

U.S. Congress The United States Congress is the legislative branch of the federal government of the United States. It is a bicameral legislature, including a lower body, the U.S. House of Representatives, and an upper body, the U.S. Senate. They both ...

. Upon returning to American Samoa, Kruse practiced law in both Apia and

as part of the Kruse & Kruse law firm. In 1985, he partnered with John Ward and Aitofele Sunia to form a new legal practice. Kruse was a member of the bar associations in the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Western Samoa, and New Zealand. He also served as Vice President and President of the American Samoa Bar Association. Between 1979 and 1985, he held the position of Judge Pro Tempore at the newly established District Court of American Samoa. Kruse's judicial career advanced when he was appointed Associate Justice of the High Court of American Samoa on March 1, 1987. On November 1, 1988, Interior Secretary Donald P. Hodel appointed him Chief Justice, making Kruse the first Samoan to hold this position. He is the registered holder of the Leone orator matai title, Lealaialoa. Kruse married Gail Brunt-Meredith of Apia, and they have three children together.

Career

Kruse practiced law in

American Samoa American Samoa is an Territories of the United States, unincorporated and unorganized territory of the United States located in the Polynesia region of the Pacific Ocean, South Pacific Ocean. Centered on , it is southeast of the island count ...

as an attorney from 1985 until his appointment as an associate justice of the High Court of American Samoa in 1987. He was then appointed as Chief Justice of American Samoa in 1988. The Chief Justice is the head of the High Court of American Samoa.

Personal life

His eldest son, Vincent Kruse, is a lawyer practicing in

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References

, - {{DEFAULTSORT:Kruse, Michael Living people 1948 births People educated at St Peter's College, Auckland Victoria University of Wellington alumni George Washington University alumni American Samoan lawyers Justices of the High Court of American Samoa Chief justices of the High Court of American Samoa