La’apui Talauega E.V. Ale

La’apui currently serves as the 10th elected Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa. He previously served as Attorney General of American Samoa from 2014 to 2020. From 2013 through 2023, he held the chiefly title “Talauega” bestowed by his mother’s family in Nua & Se’etaga, Alataua County. He currently holds the To’oto’o title “La’apui” bestowed by his father’s family in Fitiuta, Manu’a.

La’apui is a graduate of both the Marist Brothers’ Elementary School in Atu’u and High School in Malaeloa. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Northeast Missouri State University, now Truman State University, in 1990, and earned his Juris Doctor degree from Drake University Law School, graduating with honors in 1994.

La’apui worked as a Legislative Assistant to the late Honorable Daniel K. Inouye, United States Senator of Hawaii. He also served as Judicial Law Clerk to the late Honorable James S. Burns, Chief Judge of the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals.

For seventeen years, La’apui practiced law in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the international law firm of Faegre & Benson, where he made partner in 2003. At Faegre, La’apui developed a successful law practice representing Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, and public entities. He is one of the first Samoans to earn partner status in a major U.S. law firm.

In the community, La’apui served as General Counsel of the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa General Assembly from 2018 until 2021. He also serves as Vice President of the Marist Brothers Crusaders Alumni Association.

He is married to Marian McGuire Ale, a licensed attorney from the village of Lauli’i. They have 4 beautiful children.