ASU Law students sworn into local Tribal Court

On Jan. 29, Professor Patty Ferguson-Bohnee and Indian Legal Clinic students Keely Driscoll (2L), Samir Grover (3L) and Chelsi Tsosie (3L) traveled to the Gila River Indian Community Courthouse in Sacaton, Arizona. Students were sworn into the Gila River Community Court by Chief Judge Anthony Hill (’06). Judge Charles Aragon led an informative tour during which the students met other judges and staff. 

While touring the facility, students met GRIC prosecutors Ammon Orr (’16) and Carleton Giff.

As a first-time student attorney, Grover and Driscoll recently appeared before the Ak-Chin Indian Community Court in Maricopa, Arizona for hearings on behalf of clients. 

Samir Grover (3L) in front of the Ak-Chin Multi-Purpose Justice Complex

“It gives me an opportunity to apply skills I have learned and engage in meaningful work that helps real people,” said Grover. “It also gives me an advantage once I actually become a lawyer. I am glad I got my first time representing a client at arraignment over with. Also, meeting with the client in-person prior to the arraignment and going over plea options was surreal. I felt like I’m finally engaging in the type of work I envisioned myself doing, especially by representing a client in the Ak-Chin Indian Community Court.”

Chelsi Tsosie (member of the Navajo Nation) being sworn into the Gila River Indian Community Court by Chief Judge Hill

“Practicing in a tribal courtroom during law school has brought so much meaning to the concepts, rules and advice I’ve learned in classes so far,” said Tsosie. “I think because of that, I’m going to enter my future career as a more effective advocate than I would have without it. Not only that, the experience of observing Ak-Chin Indian Community implement its sovereignty through its court system was insightful. I’m thankful the Indian Legal Clinic has provided this opportunity to work with clients in a real impactful way.”

We appreciate the Gila River Indian Community Courthouse and Ak-Chin Indian Community Court for providing our law students with practical training to become effective advocates for justice.

Pictured outside the Gila River Indian Community Court (left to right): Samir Grover (3L), Keely Driscoll (2L), Prosecutor Ammon Orr ('16), Chelsi Tsosie (3L) and Charlie Giff.

Job opportunity: Gaming attorney

The Hopi Tribe is seek experienced attorneys or law firms to provide the Hopi Tribe legal advice and representation on its behalf in matters involving Arizona Indian Gaming.

Proposal due date: March 29, 2024 at 5:00 P.M. (Arizona Time)

Contact: Office of General Counsel (928) 734-3141

Email proposals to: NPoneoma@hopi.nsn.us

Detailed scope of work:

The selected Contractor will provide the following services to the Hopi Tribe:

The Contractor will provide legal services to the Hopi Tribe in connection with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, matters under the Arizona Tribal State Gaming Compact (Compact) and applicable Hopi Tribe laws and policies. 

Specifically, the Attorney will work on amendments, negotiations and implementations of the Tribal State Compact. The Contractor will assist the Office of General Counsel with transactional services which includes, but not limited to review and drafting Hopi Tribe laws and policies with respect to gaming regulatory, drafting of contracts, review of licensing issues, amendments, negotiations and implementation of the Compacts and any ancillary issues related to the aforementioned.

Experience in the field of Gaming, Indian is essential.  Experience in Hopi tribal law is preferred. Demonstration of these qualifications should include information indicating the depth of experience and the nature of legal services in which you or your firm has been involved over time.

See job announcement: gaming attorney (2024)

Pathway to Law alum: Morgan Oakes

Morgan Oakes
Saint Regis Mohawk
Pathway to Law Workshop ’21 
Pre-Law Summer Institute ’22
JD candidate ’25, Indian Legal Program, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University

What information did you find most important in the Workshop (i.e. LSAT prep, personal statement building, etc) and why?
Kate was very informative during the workshop and it provided me with pertinent information about the law school application process. 

Would you recommend students interested in law to attend the Workshop? 
I would recommend students interested in law to attend the Workshop, especially because it provides reimbursement for LSAT prep classes. 

Do you have any tips for prospective students? 
My tip for incoming law students is to start studying for the LSAT early, a year out was ideal for me.

Read more Native American Pathway to Law Initiative: Student Success Stories

Pathway to Law alum: Robin Bilagody

Robin Bilagody
Gila River Indian Community
Pathway to Law Workshop ’19 
Pre-Law Summer Institute ’21
JD candidate ’24, Michigan State University College of Law

What was your experience with the Pathway to Law Workshop?
Overall, Pathway to Law is an amazing experience that provides valuable advice to Native students on how to prepare and approach the law school application cycle. Additionally, the law professors, deans and attorneys share their advice on everything from choosing the right law school to helpful tips on ways to succeed in law school, especially during the first year. Moreover, the PTL staff and volunteers are all extremely supportive and encouraging. 

What information did you find most important in the Workshop (i.e. LSAT prep, personal statement building, etc) and why?
I found the LSAT prep and personal statement building the most helpful. The LSAT prep portion introduced me to the actual LSAT and how challenging it can be, as well as the various prep programs that can be very useful in helping to increase my score. The personal statement building guided me on ways to begin my statement that would be useful for the application cycle. During the personal statement building, we received one-on-one feedback on our statement from admissions staff. Even after the workshop, I was fortunate to receive assistance from a law professor who provided me with endless support and feedback on my personal statement and the application process. 

Would you recommend students interested in law to attend the Workshop?
Yes, I would highly recommend students interested in law to attend the workshop, especially Native students. This workshop is such a valuable resource in educating and guiding prospective students on the daunting law school application process.

Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Attend the workshop and see if this is something you would like to pursue. If so, I highly recommend the Pre-Law Summer Institute, which is another amazing program for Native students interested in law school. These two programs are useful resources that are specifically structured to help Native law students succeed in law school and once we all enter the legal field. Remember your reasons for pursuing a law degree and stay motivated in the face of challenges, especially as Native people because we all deserve to be in these spaces.

Native American Pathway to Law Initiative: Student Success Stories

The Native American Pathway to Law team is excited to host a five-day Pathway to Law Workshop from June 5–9 at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law in Berkeley, California. This workshop offers resources, application review, LSAT preparation, financing information and more—all in a non-recruitment environment. We encourage aspiring law students to participate in this free workshop. 

Five law students share their experiences of how the Pathway Way to Law Workshop solidified their decision to go to law school and provided the tools necessary to strengthen their admissions application.

Eldred D. Lesansee, Pathway to Law Workshop ’19
Ashlee Fox, Pathway to Law Workshop ’20
Geoffrey Bacon, Pathway to Law Workshop ’19
Robin Bilagody, Pathway to Law Workshop ’19
Morgan Oakes, Pathway to Law Workshop ’21

Their success ensures that future Native American students can grow up seeing someone who looks like them and embody the power of possibility for the future of Indian Country.

We welcome any aspiring law students to apply at: law.asu.edu/pathwaytolaw

Application deadline is March 15.

Pathway to Law alum: Geoffrey Bacon

Geoffrey Bacon
Denaakk’e Athabaskan, a member of the Native Village of Tanana
Pathway to Law participant ’19
Pre-Law Summer Institute ’20
JD ’23, University of California, Berkeley School of Law

In 2019, the Pathway to Law workshop helped me with my first case: persuade a law school to accept me. The personal feedback I received on my personal statement was priceless. Additionally, PTL demystified the application process, and gave me the confidence to know I had a competitive application even if I did not score a perfect LSAT.  PTL also helped me understand the cost of attending law school.  After experiencing paying student loans, my tip for prospective students is to control expenses where you can.  Coffee from a pot helps you study as well as the $7 latte from the school cafe. Apply for every scholarship for which you are eligible.  But most importantly, remember your family and friends who love and support you. 

Pathway to Law alum: Eldred D. Lesansee

Eldred D. Lesansee
Pueblo tribes of Jemez and Zuni from New Mexico
Pathway to Law participant ’19
Pre-Law Summer Institute ’22
JD candidate ’25, Columbia Law School

What was your experience with the Pathway to Law Workshop?
I really enjoyed my experience with the Pathway to Law Workshop. Today, I continue to keep in touch with the Pathways staff as well as my classmates in the program. This launched my Native American law community, and I am forever grateful.

What information did you find most important in the Workshop (i.e. LSAT prep, personal statement building, etc) and why?
For me, I really appreciated the one-on-one support in building my personal statement. After receiving feedback from law school admissions representatives and numerous drafts, I was able to fine-tune my personal statement that celebrated my cultural heritage and effectively communicated my aspirations in law school. After the Workshop, I was still able to reach out for support.

Would you recommend students interested in law to attend the Workshop?
Yes, most definitely! As the first in my family to attend law school, the Workshop taught me so much when it comes to applying, financing, attending, and graduating law school. I cannot stress more how much support this program offers prospective law students. I also met so many of my current Native classmates in the program.

Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Follow and incorporate your passions in your study of the law. Your passions can be your guiding star when law school and the legal profession may seem like an endless amount of tasks that you need to complete in such a short period of time. Also, please take advantage of all essay opportunities on the application, making each one a chapter in a book that is your law school application. Last, share your love and pride for your Tribal nations. There are not enough Native American law students, and we deserve to take up space and elevate our voices for our home communities.

Pathway to Law alum: Ashlee Fox

Ashlee Fox
Cherokee Nation
Pathway to Law participant ’20
Pre-Law Summer Institute ’22
JD candidate ’25, Yale Law School

What was your experience with the Pathway to Law Workshop?
Like many other Native law students, I knew little about the law school admissions process before I attended the Pathway to Law workshop. The Pathway to Law workshop was an invaluable resource for me when I decided to apply to law school. The mentors, the community, and the information that Pathway to Law provided allowed me to understand the law school application process. Dean Kate Rosier was instrumental in supporting me on my journey to law school—no matter whether I eventually chose to attend law school. I am forever indebted to her for being an encouraging and supportive voice throughout the application process.

What information did you find most important in the Workshop (i.e. LSAT prep, personal statement building, etc) and why?
A: Every aspect of the Workshop was helpful, but I especially appreciated the personal statement building component and the mentorship component. I am grateful for Pathway to Law’s commitment to investing in the next generation of Native attorneys.

Would you recommend students interested in law to attend the Workshop?
Native students should take advantage of the wealth of resources provided by the Pathway to Law workshop. It is a resource we are fortunate to have, made possible by Native lawyers who care about training the next generation to defend tribal sovereignty and strengthen their tribal nations.

Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Take advantage of the mentorship and support Pathway to Law provides not only during the workshop, but beyond.

Job opportunity: Equal Justice Works Fellowship

Job Description: Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation will host an Equal Justice Works Fellow for up to 2 years in this fellowship program, to start as soon as possible and end January 23, 2026. The Fellow will work as a part of the Equal Justice Works Disaster Resilience Program, a national, professional Fellowship program for attorneys designed to mobilize legal aid in areas that have suffered disaster, including immigration and humanitarian crises, to ensure vital legal services are accessible, comprehensive, and responsive to the unique needs of individuals, families, and communities to rebuild more resilient communities.

Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation is committed to contributing legal services and advocacy needed for the pono recovery of West Maui following the tragic wildfires of August 2023, and is honored to collaborate with Equal Justice Works as a host organization in the Disaster Resilience Program. This partnership will allow a fellow in the program to work at NHLC as a staff attorney dedicated to legal work in scope of this program.

What We Do: Equal Justice Works is the nation’s largest facilitator of opportunities in public interest law. We facilitate Fellowships at legal services organizations to help fulfill our nation’s promise of equal justice for all.

As a Disaster Resilience Fellow, you will be part of a prestigious group of attorneys hosted by legal services organizations across the United States. During the Fellowship term, Fellows work collaboratively to:

  • provide legal advice, referrals, and full representation to underserved Maui wildfire survivors;
  • identify areas for policy change and reform;
  • engage in outreach and education activities, such as Know-Your-Rights presentations;
  • and work with community partners to increase disaster preparedness and resilience.

Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation is a non-profit legal service organization and the only law firm in the world dedicated to the practice of Native Hawaiian rights law. For 49 years, NHLC has steadfastly served the lāhui and people of Hawaiʻi to realize our vision for a just Hawaiʻi guided by Hawaiian values, customs, and ways of knowing. As a fellow at NHLC, you will join a firm with long history providing civil legal aid to Native Hawaiian families, Hawaiian Homes Commision Act beneficiaries, cultural practitioners, and stewards of Hawaiian lands, waters, cultural properties, and the natural environment. Our matters include work to protect constitutionally protected traditional and customary practice rights, hold government accountable to its trust duties, uphold Native Hawaiian entitlements, and ensure Native Hawaiian families have the legal counsel necessary to maintain homes and Hawaiian lifeways in Hawaii.

Fellowship Benefits: Equal Justice Works Fellows are part of a network of over 2,500 current and former Fellows dedicated to improving access to equal justice for all. As a member of the network, each Fellow has access to:

  • Equal Justice Works’ annual Leadership Development Training, which is attended by ~300 current Fellows each year. The conference will be in-person in DC in the fall of 2024 and 2025.
  • Responsive training and technical assistance from Equal Justice Work’s immigration TTA provider.
  • Regular substantive and skills-based webinars throughout the Fellowship.
  • Monthly networking and collaboration sessions with other Disaster Resilience Fellows.
  • Additional networking opportunities with all Equal Justice Works Fellows throughout the year.

How to Apply: Please send a cover letter and resume to sharla.manley@nhlchi.org

Required Qualifications

  • A passion for NHLC’s mission.
  • Juris Doctor from an accredited law school
  • License in good standing to practice law, preferably in HI
  • Demonstrate commitment to social justice, with a desire to increase access to justice for disaster survivors and achieve results
  • Outstanding verbal and written communication.
  • Exceptional interpersonal and organizational skills.
  • An ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary setting to facilitate a coordinated community response and provide holistic services to clients.
  • The desire and ability to work as part of a diverse and inclusive team, and to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Previous legal services experience, including civil legal aid, law school clinics, and/or internships.
  • Prior disaster related legal experience.
  • Experience with delivering training and presentations.
  • Knowledge of and/or interest in Native Hawaiian communities, culture, language, lands, and waters.
  • Experience practicing Native Hawaiian and/or indigenous law and human rights.
  • Experience serving Native Hawaiian and/or indigenous communities.

Work Environment: Work is performed primarily indoors. Employee will be in contact with chemicals and materials normally found in office environments. Employee will be exposed to low to moderate levels of noise and distraction. Employee may be required to walk to various agencies to conduct research and may be exposed to city pollution, sunlight, heat, humidity, and inclement weather. As needed, employee may conduct outdoor site visits to locations relevant to client matters. Access to some outdoor sites may require employee to follow established federal, state, and/or county government recommendations regarding donning proper personal protective equipment (PPE) due to potential air quality and hazardous materials in the area. Employees must comply with all recommendations and minimize visits to those areas.

Benefits

  • Medical and dental insurance.
  • Generous combined leave and holiday policy.
  • Flexible hybrid-work policy.
  • After 1 year of employment, 401(k) contribution plan with employer matching.

Job opportunity: Assistant General Counsel

Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation
Fort McDowell, AZ

DEFINITION/PURPOSE:

Provide legal advice to the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Tribal Council, tribal departments and economic enterprises. Represent the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation in matters brought in Tribal, State and Federal court.

TASKS:

Serves as legal advisor to the Tribal Council, tribal government departments and economic enterprises; Provides legal advice and analysis of tribal, state and Federal laws and regulations, specifically in relation to water and environmental law and policies; Drafts and revises the Tribal Constitution, Law and Order Code, other tribal laws, ordinances, and policies; Works at hours and times outside of normal business hours and days; Drafts, reviews and recommends changes to various contracts; Reviews other agreements, proposals; Represents the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation in Tribal, State and Federal court actions; Performs other duties as assigned or required.

CLOSE DATE: March 26, 2024

For full job description and to apply, click here.