[1] Retzlaff was born in Samoa and was educated at Apia Primary and Leifiifi Intermediate Schools.
[3][6] Shortly after taking the role Director of Public Prosecutions Mauga Precious Chang was charged with dangerous driving, and police chief Fuiavailili Egon Keil was suspended and charged with unlawful detention.
[7][8] He was also responsible for the assault prosecution of Lands and Titles Court president Fepulea'i Attila Ropati[9] and the subsequent appeal which led to his conviction.
[11] In February 2020 he resigned as attorney-general in order to take up a position as a crown solicitor in New Zealand.
[15] Following his resignation he spoke out in support of the controversial Land and Titles Bills, which were then before Samoa's parliament.