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# John S Unpingco

District Court of Guam · U.S. District Judge

## Profile

- Court: District Court of Guam
- State: Guam
- Role: U.S. District Judge
- Service status: former
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Biography

### Professional career

- John Sablan Unpingco was a distinguished federal judge and public servant, best known as the Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for Guam from 1992 to 2004
- Unpingco was affiliated with the University of Guam for decades, starting in 1976 as an instructor and later as an associate professor in the School of Business and Public Administration
- Prosecutor, United States Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps
- Judge, District Court, D. Guam, ?-present
- He was remembered for his leadership, dedication to justice, and service to Guam’s legal and academic communities

### Education

- New York University, New York City — J.D.
- Georgetown University — LL.M.
- M.B.A. — New York University
- Saint Louis University — B.A.
- St. Louis University — magna cum laude — B.A.

### Additional information

- Judge Unpingco died suddenly on October 11, 2023, at age 73.
- Establishing Guam’s first full-time U.S. Magistrate Judge position in 2004, after years of advocacy for the role
- Appointed by President George H.W. Bush in 1992, Unpingco served on the federal bench for 11 years.
- Command Counsel, Naval Warfare Center, China Lake, California
- Before his judicial role, Unpingco was a U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General, Command Counsel at the Naval Warfare Center in China Lake, CA, and later Administrator of the Guam Office of Veterans Affairs
- He mentored many students who went on to careers in government and business
- The University of Guam, the District Court of Guam, and local leaders alike honored his contributions University of Guam

## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/14436/john-s-unpingco/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/14436/john-s-unpingco/)
- [U.S. District Court for the District of Guam current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/14436/john-s-unpingco/)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/14436/john-s-unpingco/)
- [Court mourns the loss of former District Judge John S. Unpingco | District Court of Guam | <span style="font-size:12px">the Federal Court for Guam</span>](https://www.gud.uscourts.gov/news/court-mourns-loss-former-district-judge-john-s-unpingco)
- [www.gud.uscourts.gov](https://www.gud.uscourts.gov/news/court-mourns-loss-former-district-judge-john-s-unpingco)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/14436/john-s-unpingco/)
- [Court mourns the loss of former District Judge John S. Unpingco | District Court of Guam | <span style="font-size:12px">the Federal Court for Guam</span>](https://www.gud.uscourts.gov/news/court-mourns-loss-former-district-judge-john-s-unpingco)

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