VI Update

USVI Public Records

A VI Update Project · Brian LoudenThe territory’s public record — kept public.

O f f i c e o f t h e G o v e r n o r

Collection
Hearing Records
Sub-shelf
Rules And Judiciary
Kind
Hearing Record
Entity
Legislature of the Virgin Islands
Date
2008-10/20
Type
Ms. Renee M. Andre, Esq
Pages
17
Text
Native Text

O f f i c e o f t h e G o v e r n o r U n i t e d S t a t e s V i r g i n I s l a n d s QUESTIONNAIRE FOR GOVERNOR'S NOMINEE FOR DEPARTMENTS, AGENCIES, BOARDS & COMMISSIONS PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU COMPLETE THIS QUESTIONNAIRE. ϭͿ ALL questions must be fully and correctly answered and returned to the Office of Legal Counsel within seven (7) business days of your receipt of the Questionnaire. ϮͿ Do not submit a resume instead of this Questionnaire. ϯͿ If more than the allotted space on this form is required for a complete and full answer, please attach as many additional 8½ x 11 sheets as may be needed. At the top of each additional sheet put your name, "Office of the Governor, Office of Legal Counsel", and then reference the question number before each answer. ϰͿ The Questionnaire is in W& Format. Please complete all responses clearly in black font color. Responses are NOT to be handwritten. ϱͿ Please do not hesitate to call the Office of Legal Counsel at Government House at (340) 774-0001 if you have any questions concerning this Questionnaire. …

Download the original document · Plain text (TXT) · Browse the archive · How this archive works

Original source: https://legvi.org/committeemeetings/Rules%20And%20Judiciary/April%2023,%202026/Nominees/Ms.%20Renee%20M.%20Andre,%20Esq/RMA%20Questionnaire%20-%20Governor's%20Nominee%20(2.5.2026)_Redacted%20(006).pdf

SHA-256 35cf98ef82ba59a35132f2078551fceb778d2ad0a7e055986b2aa2594889b85c

Re-using this document

A proceeding of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands, open to the public under 3 V.I.C. § 881, which reaches any committee of any branch of government and permits the news media to publish what it records.

Our description, tagging, arrangement, extracted text and machine transcripts are released under CC0 1.0. We assert nothing about the document itself.

Archive identifier LF-35cf98ef82ba

Document text

O f f i c e o f t h e G o v e r n o r U n i t e d S t a t e s V i r g i n I s l a n d s QUESTIONNAIRE FOR GOVERNOR'S NOMINEE FOR DEPARTMENTS, AGENCIES, BOARDS & COMMISSIONS PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU COMPLETE THIS QUESTIONNAIRE. ϭͿ ALL questions must be fully and correctly answered and returned to the Office of Legal Counsel within seven (7) business days of your receipt of the Questionnaire. ϮͿ Do not submit a resume instead of this Questionnaire. ϯͿ If more than the allotted space on this form is required for a complete and full answer, please attach as many additional 8½ x 11 sheets as may be needed. At the top of each additional sheet put your name, "Office of the Governor, Office of Legal Counsel", and then reference the question number before each answer. ϰͿ The Questionnaire is in W& Format. Please complete all responses clearly in black font color. Responses are NOT to be handwritten. ϱͿ Please do not hesitate to call the Office of Legal Counsel at Government House at (340) 774-0001 if you have any questions concerning this Questionnaire. Office of the Governor Questionnaire for Nominees to Departments, Agencies, Boards & Commissions 2 | P a g e NOMINEE’S NAME: SECTION I: BIOGRAPHICAL DATA 1. NAME: (Last) (First) (Middle) (Other) 2. SOCIAL SECURITY: 3. ADDRESS: Mailing: Residential: Business: E-Mail: Phone Number(s) – (Home) 4. Length of Residence in the Virgin Islands: 5. Date of Birth: 6. Place of Birth: 7. Marital Status: Married Single Widowed Divorced 8. Full Name of Spouse: Mailing & Residential Address: Business, Name & Address: 9. EDUCATION Institution Dates Attended Degree Received Date Received Certifications 5HQHH 0DULH $QGUH Andre Renee Marie 7506 Frenchman Bay, St. Thomas, VI 00802 5093 Dronningens Gade, Ste. 1, St. Thomas, VI 00802 renee.andre@gmail.com 42 yrs. June 5, 1983 St. Thomas, VI X N/A N/A N/A West Virginia University College of Law 8/2004-5/2007 Juris Doctorate May 13, 2007 3.43 GPA Paine College 8/2000-5/2003 B.A. Psychology-Counseling May 4, 2003 Valedictorian Charlotte Amalie High School 8/1996-6/2000 High School Diploma June 11, 2000 High Honors Office of the Governor Questionnaire for Nominees to Departments, Agencies, Boards & Commissions 3 | P a g e NOMINEE’S NAME: 10. EMPLOYMENT RECORD: Please list, in chronological order, your complete employment record for the past ten (10) years, beginning with the present or most recent position. [Attach additional sheet(s), if necessary, and reference this question number] Employer Dates of Employment Position Address/Phone # Supervisor 11. GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE: A. List all federal, state, territorial or local government services, giving dates and type of service such as employee, boards, commissions, executive, legislative or judicial branches, consultant, voluntary service, part-time or honorary. [Attach additional sheet(s), if necessary, and reference this question number] B. List and attach a copy of all service contracts you have held independently or been a party to with the Government of the Virgin Islands. 5HQHH 0DULH $QGUH Marjorie Rawls Roberts, P.C. 10/2024-prese nt Partner 5093 Dronningens Gade, Ste. 1, St. Thomas VI 00802 Marjorie Roberts, Esq. Marjorie Rawls Roberts, P.C. 10/2008-10/20 24 Associate Attorney 5093 Dronningens Gade, Ste. 1, St. Thomas, VI 00802 Marjorie Roberts, Esq. 11 A. 8/2007 - 9/2008 United States District Court of the Virgin Islands, Law Clerk 1/2007 - 5/2007 United States District Court of the Virgin Islands, Law Clerk Extern 11 B. N/A Office of the Governor Questionnaire for Nominees to Departments, Agencies, Boards & Commissions 4 | P a g e NOMINEE’S NAME: 5HQHH 0DULH $QGUH 12. BUSINESSES AND FINANCIAL INTEREST: List all businesses (for profit or not for profit), real estate and trusts in which you have at least a 10% interest or control of assets or serve as an officer or member of a board with voting rights. [Attach additional sheet(s), if necessary, and reference this question number] 13. QUALIFICATIONS: What in your opinion qualifies you to serve the People of the Virgin Islands in the position which the Governor has nominated you? SECTION II: HONORS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS 14. MEMBERSHIPS: List all memberships and offices held in professional, fraternal, scholarly, civic, charitable, and other organizations. 15. BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, TRUSTS, ETC.: List all government or private sector boards, trusts, or fiduciary responsible positions on which you have served or are now serving. 16. HONORS AND AWARDS: List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honor society memberships, and any other special recognition for outstanding service or achievement. N/A Please refer to attachment. Please refer to attachment. Antilles School Parent Association Board - Lower School Representative 2024-2025 Office of the Governor Questionnaire for Nominees to Departments, Agencies, Boards & Commissions 5 | P a g e NOMINEE’S NAME: 17. PUBLISHED WRITINGS: List all titles, publishers and dates of books, articles, reports, or other published materials you have written. SECTION III: CHARACTER 18. Have you ever been the subject of a grand jury, police, and department of justice or any legally constituted government authority, investigation anywhere or at anytime? YES NO If your answer is yes, please explain with details including date and location. [Attach additional sheet(s), if necessary, and reference this question number] 19. Have you ever been arrested in any geographical location for any offense, including traffic violations? YES NO If yes, please explain with details including offense, date of location and disposition. [Attach additional sheet(s), if necessary, and reference this question number] 5HQHH 0DULH $QGUH X X Please refer to attachment. Please refer to attachment. Office of the Governor Questionnaire for Nominees to Departments, Agencies, Boards & Commissions 6 | P a g e NOMINEE’S NAME: 20. Have you ever been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor? YES NO If yes, please explain with details including offense, date, location, and current status. [Attach additional sheet(s), if necessary, and reference this question number] 21. Is there now or has there ever been a judgment entered against you? YES NO If the answer is yes, please explain with details on date, location and disposition or current status. [Attach additional sheet(s), if necessary, and reference this question number] 22. Have you ever been a respondent in any labor dispute or discrimination proceeding? YES NO If the answer is yes, please explain with details on date, location and disposition or current status. [Attach additional sheet(s), if necessary, and reference this question number] 23. Have you ever been named as a party in any hearing, administrative, civil, and criminal, including Equal Employment Opportunity or sexual harassment? YES NO If yes, please explain in detail, giving date, venue, agency, and the names of the other parties and the disposition. [Attach additional sheet(s), if necessary, and reference this question number] 5HQHH 0DULH $QGUH X X X X Office of the Governor Questionnaire for Nominees to Departments, Agencies, Boards & Commissions 7 | P a g e NOMINEE’S NAME: 24. Have you now or have you ever been a member of an organization or an associate of an individual advocating terrorism, overthrow of a government by force or the advocacy or subordination of any ethnic group or individuals? YES NO If the answer is yes, please give details of dates, names of organizations, names of individuals and all pertinent circumstances. [Attach additional sheet(s), if necessary, and reference this question number] 25. Do you know of any individual, organization or group, which can be expected to oppose your nomination? YES NO If the answer is yes, please list the individuals, organizations or groups by name and give the details of your belief for their opposition. [Attach additional sheet(s), if necessary, and reference this question number] 26. Do you have any outstanding and delinquent monetary obligations to the Government of the Virgin Islands or any other public or private entity, including but not limited to, personal income taxes, business taxes, real property taxes (commercial or residential), business license renewals, trade name renewals, annual reporting fees, professional organization dues, child support, judgments, debt 5HQHH 0DULH $QGUH X X Office of the Governor Questionnaire for Nominees to Departments, Agencies, Boards & Commissions 8 | P a g e NOMINEE’S NAME: 5HQHH 0DULH $QGUH Government of the Virgin Islands, includes but is not limited to the following departments, agencies and instrumentalities: the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Tax Assessor, Department of Justice Division of Paternity and Child Support, Board of Education, Economic Development Authority, U. S. Small Business Administration, Small Business Development Center, Police Department, Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs, the Water and Power Authority, the Waste Management Authority, Department of Health, Department of Human Services YES NO If the answer is yes, please attach a detailed explanation of what outstanding and delinquent monetary obligations are owed, the reason for the delinquency, and the intended plan to bring the matter current. SECTION IV: CONFLICT OF INTEREST 27. Please explain your understanding of "Conflict of Interest" as it applies to the position to which you have been nominated to serve the People of the Virgin Islands. 28. Do you own a business or real estate, or are you a partner or shareholder or affiliated in any way to sell or provide goods or services to the Virgin Islands Government? YES NO If the answer is yes, please explain and give the name and location of these interest(s) and how you promise to remove yourself from any possible conflict. [Attach additional sheet(s), if necessary, and reference this question number] X X Please refer to attachment. Office of the Governor Questionnaire for Nominees to Departments, Agencies, Boards & Commissions 9 | P a g e NOMINEE’S NAME: 5HQHH 0DULH $QGUH 29. Does any close relative or spouse have a business or real estate interest(s) as described in question 25? YES NO If the answer is yes, please explain and give the name and location of these interest(s) and how you propose to remove yourself from any possible conflict. (Attach additional sheet(s), if necessary.) SECTION V: JOB PERFORMANCE 30. In no more than 150 words, please outline in priority order your four (4) specific short-term and four (4) specific long-term goals and objectives you would employ to achieve the entity’s purpose and improve its service delivery system if your nomination is confirmed for this position. 31. Is there any additional information that you believe would assist the Committee on Rules and the Judiciary in processing your nomination expeditiously? X Please refer to attachment. My judicial philosophy is "justice delayed is justice denied" and justice denied is an injustice to everyone. As a judge of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, I would do everything within my power to ensure that everyone has their timely, fair day in Court. I would comport myself with the highest level of integrity to safeguard the trust of the People of the Virgin Islands in the judicial process. I will judge with empathy, fairness and impartiality and treat everyone before me with the same respect I expect for myself. Renée Marie André Office of the Governor, Office of Legal Counsel 13. QUALIFICATIONS: What in your opinion qualifies you to serve the People of the Virgin Islands in the position which the Governor has nominated you? My deep respect for the law, legal experience, temperament, integrity and unwavering commitment to serve the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands qualifies me to be a Judge of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands. I was introduced to the role of the judiciary first as a law clerk intern and then as a law clerk studying under Chief Judge Curtis V. Gómez at the District Court of the Virgin Islands. As a Law Clerk I conducted extensive legal research on matters before the District Court and participated in trials from voir dire to verdict. On a daily basis I engaged in the drafting of legal opinions and the management of over 100 pending cases. Unlike most law clerks at the district court level, I was also involved in the management of appellate cases from the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands as the District Court at that time was the appellate court for our local court system. I gained a true appreciation and deep respect for the law as I was able to understand how judicial decisions impacted defendants, plaintiffs, families, and the broader U.S. Virgin Islands community. This experience was a trial by fire, but it equipped me with the foundation needed to become a judge one day – a solid understanding of courtroom procedure, procedural rules – civil and criminal, evidentiary rules, legal research and case management. Further, my legal journey as a practicing attorney has given me substantial experience in areas of law that would routinely come before a general jurisdiction judge of the Superior Court, to include criminal, contracts, corporate, tort, real estate, estate planning, tax, probate, economic development, labor, involuntary commitment, family, and juvenile matters. My ability to remain calm, respectful and professional in challenging circumstances is both a core strength and an essential quality for a judge. I am not swayed by histrionics or flare, nor by prominent names or economic status. As a judge, I will approach each matter and each party with impartiality and respect. Further, regardless of the matter, from the minor to the complex, I am committed to being a neutral arbiter of justice, listening to the evidence presented and deciding cases based on the facts and the law. Based on the foregoing, it is my humble opinion that I can serve the People of the U.S. Virgin Islands as a Judge of general jurisdiction of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands. I pledge to serve with integrity, competence, respect and impartiality. Renée Marie André Office of the Governor, Office of Legal Counsel 14. MEMBERSHIPS: List all memberships and offices held in professional, fraternal, scholarly, civic, charitable, and other organizations.  Superior Court of the Virgin Islands Family Division Court Improvement Program (“CIP”) Multidisciplinary Taskforce, Chair (2022-present)  Superior Court of the Virgin Islands Family Division CIP Committee, Member (2021-2022)  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Children’s Bureau USVI State Team Planning Committee, Member (2018-2020)  Virgin Islands Bar Association, By-Laws Committee Chairperson (2014-2015)  District Court of the Virgin Islands Lawyers Advisory Committee, President (2011-2014)  West Virginia University College of Law Black Law Alumni Association, Mentor (2011-2012)  West Virginia University College of Law Black Law Alumni Association, Founding Member and Ex Officio Member (2007-2008)  Civil Mediation Clinic, Mediator  Family Law Project, Participant  West Virginia University College of Law Cultural Diversity Committee, Member (2006-2007)  West Virginia University College of Law Black Law Student Association, President (2005-2006)  Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (Spring 2002) o Financial Secretary (2002-2003) o IVY Appreciation Week Coordinator  Paine College International Student Association, Vice-President (2001-2002)  Paine College International Student Association, President (2002-2003)  Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society  National Honor Society  Junior Statesman of America (Princeton University, Summer 1997)  29th Annual Moot Court – District Moot Justice (2023)  Charlotte Amalie High School Moot Court Coach (2012) Renée Marie André Office of the Governor, Office of Legal Counsel 16. HONORS AND AWARDS: List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honor society memberships, and any other special recognition for outstanding service or achievement.  Charlotte Amalie High School Moot Court Coach Certificate of Appreciation (May 25, 2012)  W.E.B. DuBois Fellow (full law school scholarship with stipend)  CALI Award – Torts I  CALI Award – Civil Procedure I  Brown W. Payne Scholar  Research Assistant  Presidential Scholar (2000-2003) (full undergraduate scholarship)  Dean’s List (2000-2003)  High Achievement Award – Valedictorian (2003)  Augusta-Area Psychological Association Outstanding Undergraduate Award  Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society  National Honor Society  Student Marshall  Luther R. Neal Scholar  Rosa Harris Creque Award  Julius S. Scott Award  Jacqueline C. Morgan Award  UPS Scholarship  Inner Wheel Club of St. Thomas Award  Tim Shelnut Award  Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award Renée Marie André Office of the Governor, Office of Legal Counsel 17. PUBLISHED WRITINGS: List all titles, publishers and dates of books, articles, reports, or other published materials you have written. 1. Co-Author of “Investing in the US Virgin Islands, Trends and Developments,” Chambers Global Practice Guides, 2024. 2. Co-Author of “Investing in the US Virgin Islands, Trends and Developments,” Chambers Global Practice Guides, 2023. 3. Co-Author of “Investing in the US Virgin Islands, Trends and Developments,” Chambers Global Practice Guides, 2022. 4. Co-Author of “Investing in the US Virgin Islands, Trends and Developments,” Chambers Global Practice Guides, 2021. 5. Co-Author of “DNA and Innocence,” Encyclopedia of American Civil Liberties, December, 2006. 6. Co-Author of “Honoring West Virginia’s Legacy: A Tribute to J.R. Clifford, Esq.,” Africalogical Perspectives, Volume 2, Number 1 – September/October 2005. 7. Co-Author of “A Win-Win Situation: What the EDC Program Can Do for Your Business,” The Aviator Journal, March 2004 issue. Renée Marie André Office of the Governor, Office of Legal Counsel 27. Please explain your understanding of "Conflict of Interest" as it applies to the position to which you have been nominated to serve the People of the Virgin Islands. Fairness and impartiality are foundational to the administration of justice. As such, a conflict of interest, for a Judge of the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, occurs when relationships impair a judge’s ability to be fair and impartial, where such relationship creates an appearance of impartiality that affects the administration of justice, or where the existence of the relationship suggests that the judge is being unduly influenced by matters outside of what is introduced in the courtroom. A conflict of interest can be found in relationships of a personal nature, where a judge has a close friendship or family relationship with a party, attorney, or witness in a matter before the judge that would call into question the judge’s ability to be fair and impartial. A conflict of interest also exists where the judge has a financial interest – whether direct or indirect – in the outcome of a case before the judge. In this instance, a question would arise on whether the judge’s ruling was rendered to benefit the judge’s personal interests. In matters where the judge previously represented a party or was involved in the matter prior to becoming a judge, a judge’s loyalty to that party or knowledge of that party’s sensitive and confidential information would raise doubts about the judge’s ability to be neutral. The administration of justice allows anyone seeking redress to have their day in court and judges should not squander that day for litigants by allowing conflicts of interest to cloud the public’s confidence in the judiciary. When faced with a conflict of interest, a judge should immediately disclose the conflict and take steps to preserve the integrity of the judicial process, including disclosing actual or potential conflicts, and where appropriate, obtaining informed consent or recusing themselves. When in doubt, the lodestar is the ability to be fair and impartial – if that is in doubt, a conflict of interest exists. Renée Marie André Office of the Governor, Office of Legal Counsel 30. In no more than 150 words, please outline in priority order your four (4) specific short- term and four (4) specific long-term goals and objectives you would employ to achieve the entity’s purpose and improve its service delivery system if your nomination is confirmed for this position. Short-term goals/objectives include: 1. Fully assess my docket and identify matters that are pending over 24 months, 6 months, and 3 months and implement a case-management strategy that would reduce the backlog by 20% within the first twelve months. 2. Increase the use of technology within chambers and the courtroom to increase efficiency. 3. Identify ways to increase access to justice for pro sé litigants, such as a courtroom procedure and etiquette pamphlet to increase understanding of judicial process. 4. Establish a healthy work-life balance for myself and staff to promote well-being and mental health. Long-term goals/objectives include: 1. Reduce backlog of actionable cases pending over 24 months by 100% within 3 years. 2. Specialize in certain types of cases to move complex cases forward. 3. Conclude criminal cases within a 90–120-day window from the filing of the Information. 4. Establish bench books/cards on best practices to sustain efficiency.