PALAU: Four Assistant Attorneys General Positions Now Open in the Pristine Paradise of Palau

Wanted: Four Attorneys Who Like Swimming With The Sharks

Mediation on Weekdays. Manta Rays on Weekends.

Court on Weekdays. Coral Reefs on Weekends.

Ernestine K. Rengiil, The Office of the Attorney General, Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Palau, is seeking to fill four AAG positions.

Since moving to Palau in July 2025, I’ve worked Mondays through Fridays, then dived on weekends and holidays. In my first year, I’ve logged over 250 dives.”

— Melanie McDonald, AAG

KOROR, PALAU, September 1, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- There are two AAG openings in the Civil Division and two in the Criminal Division to meet its growing legal needs.

These openings provide experienced attorneys

with a rare opportunity to make a meaningful impact through challenging work, while living in one of the world’s most spectacular Pacific island nations known for its world-class scuba diving.

As a Freely Associated State, the Republic’s legal system is largely consistent with that of the United States, and U.S.-based attorneys or those with practice experience in its courts are encouraged to apply. For a limited time, eligible attorneys may be admitted to practice in Palau without sitting for a local bar examination, which is consistent with Palauan law and court rules.

All positions are located in Koror, in the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic of Palau. With a population of 11,400, Koror is the largest city and commercial center.

Qualified applicants for these full-time positions must possess:
• A Juris Doctor (J.D.) or equivalent law degree from an ABA-accredited institution
• An active membership in good standing with a recognized bar (any jurisdiction)
• Three to ten years or more of experience as a lawyer
• Prior litigation experience, strong writing, and analytical skills are preferred

Compensation is based on experience and position type, ranging from $70,000 to $90,000 U.S. to live and work in paradise. (By comparison, Palau’s average cost of living is roughly 50% lower than in the U.S.) Recruitment and repatriation costs (including airfare and household goods shipping allowance back to the U.S.) are included. The initial two-year contracts may be renewed. They also offer up to five weeks of vacation and 2.5 weeks of sick leave.

The most recent AAG Civil Division hire, Melanie McDonald from Houston, TX, adds, “I heard about a job opening last year when my Houston dive shop, Oceanic Ventures, forwarded me a link to a Dive News Wire press release.

“Since moving to Palau in July 2025, I’ve worked Mondays through Fridays, then dived on weekends and holidays. The challenging job provides me with the opportunity to explore the best of everything these islands offer. I live five minutes from both the office and the dive shops. In my first year, I’ve logged over 250 dives, and I’ve gone virtually every weekend and holiday.”

These positions are being promoted by SGD Advertising with six months of print and digital ads in California Diving News and Scuba Diver North America.

To Live and Work in Palau
Send inquiries about these job opportunities with the subject line “AAG Palau” to Ernestine K. Rengiil, Office of the Attorney General, Republic of Palau, ekrengiil57@gmail.com, call WhatsApp + 680 775-2429, or call/text +680 488-2481/2847.

The details of the four job vacancies are below:
Palau: Criminal AAG Vacancy, 2026 (PDF): https://marinscubaclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Palau_Criminal-AAG-Vacancy_8-17-26.pdf
Palau: Civil AAG Vacancy, 2026 (PDF): https://marinscubaclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Palau_Civil-AAG-Vacancy_8-17-26.pdf

About Palau for Scuba Divers
Known as The Jewel of Micronesia, Palau is rated annually as one of the world’s “Top Three” dive destinations. With more than 300 lush islands, this pristine paradise offers scuba divers one of Earth’s largest Marine Protected Areas (MPA). It’s home to nearly 30 different marine mammals, 60 thriving species of sharks and rays, over 1,300 species of reef fish, more than 700 species of coral, plus over 60 dive sites and 60 wrecks. For more information about diving in Palau, visit https://www.pristineparadisepalau.com.