On Aug. 29, Professor Patty Ferguson-Bohnee, Maya Araujo, Danielle Williams and the Indian Legal Clinic students Mikaela Bledsoe Downes, Colten Fredericks, Hunter Mallinger, Cillian McDonagh, Sam Phillips and Ronnie Strode traveled to the Gila River Indian Community in Sacaton, Arizona. The ILC student attorneys were sworn in to the Gila River Indian Community Court by Chief Judge Anthony Hill (’06). Students received an informative tour of the courthouse, observed live court proceedings and met court personnel.
Before visiting the courthouse, the student attorneys met with members of the Gila River Prosecutor’s Office, including Chief Prosecutor Lynn Arouh and Prosecutor Dustin Rector (’21). They shared how their own law careers led them to serve at Gila River, offering students valuable insight on the pathways and responsibilities of practicing law in Indian Country. These conversations provided a deeper understanding that will guide the student attorneys in their own roles prosecuting civil traffic trials with the Gila River Prosecutor’s Office.
The Indian Legal Clinic deeply appreciates the Gila River and Ak-Chin Indian Communities for their continued support and providing clinic students formative career experiences.