Booneville lawyer appointed to Supreme Court of Palau

Todd Osterloh, a Booneville lawyer and former Booneville City Attorney, was sworn in July 7 as a justice on the Supreme Court of Palau, a Pacific nation of about 17,695 people.

Palau is a constitutional government in free association with the United States under the Compact of Free Association, which took effect Oct. 1, 1994. Its court system includes the Supreme Court, the Court of Common Pleas and the Land Court, and Supreme Court justices are appointed to life terms by the president with approval from the National Congress. Osterloh will serve in the court’s Appellate Division, one of three justices who hear appeals from the Trial Division, the Court of Common Pleas and the Land Court.

Osterloh’s path to that post ran through eastern Kentucky and a previous stint in Palau. He spent 15 years at Sturgill Turner and had earlier served as court counsel to Palau’s Supreme Court, supporting justices and judges with legal research, court publications and advice on administrative legality. The Palau Judiciary has three attorneys on one-year contracts, recruited from U.S. federal and state court clerks.

In an April 9 announcement, the firm marked Osterloh’s departure with a “bid a bittersweet farewell” as he left for the appointment, and Managing Partner Bryan Beauman called the firm “incredibly proud” of him and said his “integrity, judgment, and leadership will serve the people of Palau well.” Osterloh said he was “deeply honored” and grateful to his colleagues and clients.