Wills and Probate at Gila River

The Indian Legal Clinic students in the Wills & Probate section finished up there semester with a wills clinic at the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) on March 30-April 1. The wills clinic was held at the District 4 Multi-Purpose Facility and was the first one held for the Community.  

The students’ services were appreciated by the GRIC elders. “I’m going to tell my sisters and brothers and my nieces and nephews they should do this because they need a will!” said one satisfied elder.

Great job to ILC students: Sukhleen Bal (3L), Christina Bustamente (3L), Hannah Dunham (3L), Devorah Kalani (LLM), Courtney Kamauoha (3L), Molly Lathrop (3L), and Sierra Porritt (2L).

We appreciate the Gila River Indian Community for their hospitality and hosting a wills clinic at their facilities.

____
Helen Burtis (’07)
Faculty Associate, Indian Legal Clinic, ASU Law

Repatriation of cultural objects

This year, the Indian Legal Clinic (ILC) student attorneys Brittany Habbart (3L) and Ruben Zendejas (3L) prepared a comment on the repatriation of cultural objects for a new Austrian repatriation project created by the Advisory Committee for Guidelines for Collections in Austrian Federal Museums from Colonial Contexts convened by the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Civil Service and Sport (BMKÖS). BMKÖS requested comments and suggestions while Austria is considering new laws and policies about when to repatriate and the process of repatriation for a variety of materials. Certain items within Austria’s collections have a history of colonialism, violence, or otherwise did not have meaningful consent. The country has opened the important discussion about the way museums acquired their collections, including Austria’s federal museums, and how to address those items present-day. 

The ILC comment suggests, “that meaningful repatriation policy consider all cultural items from historically colonized communities to be subject to and open for repatriation; make considerations for formally recognized indigenous governments, as well as other smaller indigenous communities and even, if necessary, individual claimants; and, the burden of proof be not placed solely on Indigenous communities, but on the western institutions themselves. Further we advise the museum to consider the possibility of digital repatriation — the authorization of licenses, copyrights, etc. — where physical repatriation is not wanted, needed, or possible.” 

The Indian Legal Clinic worked with Professor Trevor Reed to prepare the comment.

____
Helen Burtis (’07)
Faculty Associate, Indian Legal Clinic, ASU Law

Job Opportunity: Civil Rights Attorney

The Albuquerque, NM office of Rothstein Donatelli LLP is seeking an associate attorney for its civil rights practice group. The Firm is looking for a New Mexico licensed attorney with at least 2 years or more of litigation experience. The candidate should possess a demonstrated commitment to the welfare of individual clients and maintain the highest quality of legal practice, especially legal research and writing skills. The ideal candidate will have experience litigating civil rights cases and/or representing survivors of sexual abuse. The associate must be skilled in managing complex litigation and providing staff direction.

Rothstein Donatelli has offices in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico, as well as in Tempe, Arizona. The Rothstein Donatelli LLP practice areas include civil rights and discrimination law, representation of survivors of sexual abuse, criminal defense, complex civil litigation, appeals and post-conviction work, and Indian law. Rothstein Donatelli is committed to social justice and vigorously protecting the rights of its clients.

Rothstein Donatelli LLP provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, sex or gender identity, results of genetic testing, or service in the military. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training. The Firm expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment or discrimination based on any of the characteristics mentioned above. Improper interference with the ability of other employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated. The Firm is committed to achieving a diverse workforce and an inclusive environment.

Interested candidates should send a resume, references, and writing sample to Manya Snyder at info@rothsteinlaw.com.

Job Opportunities

DOJ Indian Country Assistant US Attorney

  • Tulsa, OK – Application Deadline: May 24, 2023 for priority consideration

FCC Office of Native Affairs – Attorney

FCC Office of Native Affairs – Policy Advisor

DOJ Office on Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) – Impact Report

Job Opportunity: Senior Attorney

Navajo Nation
Office of Navajo Public Defender
Tuba City, AZ

Closing date: Open until filled

Position no: 243284

Duties and responsibilities: Represents clients, adults and juveniles, in criminal and delinquency proceedings in and out of court. Reviews all court and discovery
documents. Interviews clients; provides information on potential outcomes, defenses, potential consequences, federal prosecution; sentence(s) if convicted; deferred prosecution programs, peacemaking, etc. Develop theory of case and prepare pre-trial motions, responses; replies for trial preparation. Interview and/or depose witnesses. Communicate with prosecutor, probation, service providers. Assist client with referrals, appointments for evaluation, etc. Provide guidance and assistance to court advocates as needed. Prepare, file and complete appeals or Writs to Navajo Supreme Court when necessary. Position requires travel to district and family courts throughout the Navajo Nation.

Minimum Qualifications: 

  • A Juris Doctorate; and four (4) years professional experience as a state licensed attorney. Current
    admission in any state bar with the intention of seeking and securing admission to the Navajo
    Nation Bar Association and either the Arizona, New Mexico or Utah State Bar within one (1) year of
    date of hire.

See full job description: Senior Attorney – Tuba City, AZ

More information: Job vacancy announcement

Job Opportunity: Attorney

Navajo Nation
Office of Navajo Public Defender
Window Rock, AZ

Closing date: Open until filled

Position no: 244832

Duties and responsibilities: Represents clients, adults and juveniles, in criminal and delinquency proceedings in and out of court. Reviews all court and discovery documents. Interviews clients; provides information on potential outcomes, defenses, potential consequences, federal prosecution; sentence(s) if convicted; deferred prosecution programs, peacemaking, etc. Develop theory of case and prepare pretrial motions, responses; replies for trial preparation. Interview and/or depose witnesses. Communicate with prosecutor, probation, service providers. Assist client with referrals, appointments for evaluation, etc. Provide guidance and assistance to court advocates as needed. Prepare, file and complete appeals or Writs to Navajo Supreme Court when necessary. Position requires travel to district and family courts throughout the Navajo Nation.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Juris Doctorate.
  • Current Admission in any state bar with the intention of seeking and securing admission to the Navajo Nation Bar Association and
    either the Arizona, New Mexico or Utah State Bar within one(1) year of date of hire.

See full job description: Attorney

More information: Job vacancy announcement

The inaugural San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Externship recipients

ASU Law students Chad Edwards (3L), Brittany Habbart (3L), Lena Neuner (3L) and Ravynn Nothstine (3L) make up the inaugural class of the Indian Gaming and Tribal Self-Governance Programs’ San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Externship Program. This externship program, with funding provided by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, allows promising future leaders to pursue experiences working to further Indian gaming or tribal self-governance, while earning valuable credit hours through a paid externship. 

Edwards worked to further economic development in Indian Country at the Tohono O’odham Gaming Office with Executive Director Jerry Derrick (’91). Edwards is standing in front of the Tohono O’odham Nation “White House,” which houses the Executive and Legislative branches of the Tohono O’odham Nation in Sells, Arizona. 

Habbart gained a behind-the-scenes look at federal agencies while working with the Department of the Interior Solicitor’s Office in the Division of Indian Affairs. Neuner worked to protect tribal cultural and natural resources at the Ridges to Riffles Conservation Fund, and Nothstine worked on behalf of the Native American Rights Fund in their Alaska office.

Applications for the fall externship program are open to second and third-year students seeking a juris doctor, current LLM students, and current MLS students. 

For more information, please contact Theresa.Bealieu@asu.edu.   

Submit your application for The Yuhaaviatam of San Manual Nation Externship Program.

Deadline: June 23, 2023

We rise by lifting others

On April 4, two ILP alumni were honored in the Native American 40 Under 40 awards. Congratulations to Krystalyn Kinsel (’15) and Alexander Mallory (’19)! The Native American 40 Under 40 awards represent the best and brightest emerging Indian Country leaders who serve in a variety of fields.

ILP directors and alumni traveled to Las Vegas to celebrate this amazing recognition.

We’re so proud of you both!

Spark Indigenous Joy

The Federal Bar Association Indian Law conference is a unique time when law practitioners and advocates come together and have an in-depth discussions about the future of Indian Country. It is also a time when organizations that serve the same purpose gather to acknowledge and celebrate Indigenous excellence.

ASU Law’s ILP family met at Sandia Resort for its 23rd annual Alumni & Friends Awards Ceremony and Reception. It was a night full of heartfelt messages and success stories to celebrate this year’s award recipients. Rebecca Ross (’10) received the Alumni Service Award and Stephanie Sfiridis (’16) received the Emerging Leader Award.

Six ILP family presented at this year’s Federal Bar Association Indian Law Conference. On day 1, Faculty Associate Paul Spruhan presented on a panel “Protection of Tribal Sovereignty and Self-Determination Before the U.S. Supreme Court,” ILC Director Patty Ferguson-Bohnee and Liz La quen náay Medicine Crow (’05) presented on “Access to the Ballot Box: Protecting Native American Voting Rights.” On day 2, Jacqueline Bisille (’14) and Rani Williams (’18) presented on “Efforts to Address the Intergenerational Impacts of Federal Indian Boarding School Policies,”Sfiridis presented on a panel “Improving the Land into Trust Process and Best Practices for Tribal Realty and Land Use” and Linda Benally (’03) joined colleagues for a discussion about bias and improvement to support Native American women attorneys during the final presentation “Ethics Panel-Elimination of Bias.”

The National Native American Bar Association (NNABA) also held its annual meeting followed by its 50th Anniversary Celebration with ILP alumni serving on the board: Native Vote Fellow Torey Dolan (’19) as director and Sarah Crawford (’19) as secretary. Native Vote Fellow Blair Tarman-Toner (20’) is NNABA’s newly elected Young Lawyer Representative to the American Bar Association. 

Eight ILP students received the NNABA bar scholarship. Congratulations rising grads: Chad EdwardsAshleigh FixicoBrittany HabbartMichael LaValleyLena NeunerRavynn NothstineAutumn Shone and Chanel Simon.

Native American legal warriors and trailblazers shared their wisdom from the early days of Indian Law, inclusion disparity and the need to “uplift our law practice,” as said by Thomas Fredericks, first NNABA president. ILC Director Patty Ferguson-Bohnee , Linda Benally (’03) and Diandra Benally (’05) were recognized as past presidents of NNABA. The Honorable Diane Humetewa (’93) is one of the most recognizable faces in Indian Country for being the first Native American woman to sit on the federal bench. During her special address, Judge Humetewa reflected on her historic appointment and how she felt witnessing the confirmation of two Native American women to the federal bench: Judge Lauren King’s appointment in 2021 as Washington’s first Native American federal judge and Judge Sunshine Suzanne Sykes’ appointment in 2022 as California’s first Native American federal judge. 

“I know that Judge King and Judge Sykes are deeply committed to advancing opportunities for Indigenous law students and lawyers, and they each bring a meaningful voice to their respective district courts on which they sit. And I know through us, we hope that you see that pathways to judicial positions are actually possible.” 

Our Indian Law community is filled with extraordinary advocates who walk with a special vision and purpose, a responsibility that our ancestors tasked us with. We enjoyed seeing everyone and we look forward to elevating the successes of Native American representation in the law.