Author Archives: dwilliams

Advancing Indigenous innovation and alliances at ASU Law

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On Feb. 21, the Indian Legal Program hosted a meeting between Tribal leaders and representatives and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to develop collaborations to support innovation in Indian Country. Kathi Vidal, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property & Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) attended, along with Lead Judge Georgianna Braden of the Patent Trial and Appeals Board, and Attorney Advisor Susan Anthony of the USPTO Office of Policy and International Affairs. Racquel Black of Change Labs provided they keynote presentation. The Tribes and the USPTO discussed new programs to advance creativity and innovation on Tribal lands while respecting Tribal sovereignty, especially over traditional knowledge, cultural expressions, and genetic resources.

We extend our thanks to the USPTO, the Navajo Nation Division of Economic Development, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and the McCarthy Institute for their support of the Indian Legal Program’s efforts to promote Indigenous innovation.

ILP alum receives ABA Spirit of Excellence award

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On Feb. 4, Diandra Benally (’05) was awarded the American Bar Association’s 2023 Spirit of Excellence award. This title is awarded annually to legal professionals that demonstrate excellence and commitment to diversity in law. 

Diandra is the first female general counsel of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, a former special assistant U.S. attorney and former staff attorney with the Navajo Nation Department of Justice. She has also served on the National Native American Bar Association, the Native American Bar Association of Arizona and the Navajo Nation Bar Association.

In a true show of support, some of your ILP family traveled to New Orleans to celebrate an extraordinary recognition. Congratulations, Diandra!

ASU Indian Legal Clinic filed Amicus Brief

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On Feb. 8, the Indian Legal Clinic (ILC) filed an amicus brief on behalf of the Diné Hataałii Association in Arizona v. Navajo Nation. The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on Monday, March 20, 2023. Congratulations to ILC Faculty Director Patty Ferguson-Bohnee, Director Derrick Beetso (’10) and ILP students Clayton Kinsey (2L), Maryam Salazar (2L), Natalia Sells (2L) and Chelsi Tsosie (2L) for their efforts in drafting the brief. We also appreciate Law Fellow Honore Callingham (’18) for her assistance in preparing the brief for filing.

The brief informs the Court on traditional Diné principles that support the Navajo Nation’s position. The team is humbled the Hataałiis, as the stewards of this sacred knowledge, entrusted the Indian Legal Clinic to represent their interest, and hope the brief helps the Court better understand the Navajo Nation’s treaties with the United States and how the Navajo signatories would have understood them.

“As a Diné law student, this case pertains to an issue that affects my family, my home, and my culture,” said Chelsi. “Knowing that and having the opportunity to assist in preparing an amicus brief that conveys the Diné perspective − the way we view the world and natural law around us − to the Court is an experience that will stay with me forever.” 

Job Opportunity: Staff Attorney

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Bad River Band of Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians
Odanah, WI

Application Requirements:
• Must submit complete Bad River Tribal Application and Resume
• Transcripts
• Salary requirement
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Writing sample and
• Copy of Active license to practice law or eligibility to apply for Wisconsin State Bar Admission

Summary: The Staff Attorney works with the tribal government in all areas of Tribal law and Federal Indian law.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Advising on issues involving the delivery of government services to Tribal members, including jurisdiction, tribal property, civil rights, environmental law, and interpretation of social and family services and health services delivery to community members including child welfare services. Responsibilities may range from reviewing and editing draft documents to the provision of brief counsel and services to tribal government programs in meeting preparation or meeting settings, representing the Tribe in Tribal, state, and federal court, to advising and developing codes and policies for tribal government decision-making.
Qualification Requirements To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The person in this position must be self-motivated and able to work with minimal direction.

See job announcement for full description and application details.

Job Opportunities: The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe

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Lower Elwha Klallam Justice Center
Port Angeles, WA
 
The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe is dedicated to fully exercising its sovereignty to prevent and reduce criminal activity and victimization on the Reservation. At the same time, pursuant to the Lower Elwha Constitution, Article VII, Bill of Rights, the Lower Elwha Judicial Code §§ 1.2, 6.11(3)(c), and the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968, 25 U.S.C. § 1302(a)(8), the Tribe is dedicated to affording due process to all persons subject to the Tribe’s authority.

Tribal Defense Attorney job announcement 

  • Closing Date: February 17, 2023

Chief Judge job announcement

  • Closing Date: February 18, 2023

Tribal Deputy Prosecutor job announcement

  • Closing Date: February 17, 2023

Job Opportunity: Legislative Policy Advisor

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Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker, LLP
Washington, D.C.

Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker, LLP is looking for a motivated, energetic individual to join its legislative and health policy team in its Washington, DC office. Hobbs Straus is a national law firm dedicated to promoting and defending the interests of Indian tribal governments and organizations.

The Legislative Policy Advisor is a non-attorney position who will work with attorneys and legislative staff from across the firm on behalf of our tribal clients to advance the scope and quality of tribal health services. Duties include assisting attorney and legislative staff in outreach to Capitol Hill and federal agencies, attending and covering health policy meetings, researching and working on Indian health policy and drafting reports to clients. Applicants must have strong research, writing and communication skills. Prior legislative experience preferred but not required. Salary based on experience.

Educational requirements: B.A. or higher.

To apply: Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to Ms. Robin Branthover at rbranthover@hobbsstraus.com.

Thank you for your interest in Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker, LLP.
www.hobbsstraus.com

Inclusion power

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Indian Country's representation

On Jan. 10, the Indian Legal Program hosted a special dinner for students to meet Bryan Newland, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs in the Department of the Interior. A full year of serving in a prominent position, Assistant Secretary Newland leans on his experiences and centers tribal community as part of the strategy. He understands the challenges Tribes face and the importance of ensuring Indigenous People are protected, included and represented at every level, for every decision.  

We were also joined by Secretary Newland’s team who share that vision: Rose Petoskey, Joaquin Gallegos, Stephanie Sfiridis (’16), Sam Kohn, Senior-Counselor to the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs and Katherine Isom-Clause, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Economic Development, as well as Shannon Estenoz, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks and Steve Simpson, Senior Attorney with the Solicitor’s Office. ILP students learned about the work the Department of Interior does on behalf of Tribes and how hard each have worked to be in a position where they can drive change. 

“Having Assistant Secretary Bryan Newland and his team visit was such an honor,” said 2L Sophie Staires. “What struck me about all of them was the genuine interest they showed in all of us students—who we are, and what we want to do. Talking with them made it easier for me to picture myself in those roles, and I really needed that. Assistant Secretary Newland really impressed upon me that I am right where I need to be, that I am capable and that I will get to where I want to be.”

“It was nice to know that even though law school can be a real challenge sometimes, the opportunities to do great things for Indian Country outweighs that,” said 2L Chelsi Tsosie. “It was quite motivating to relate to someone in a position as high as his.” 

Thank you to the Department of the Interior for this special visit. We appreciate all that you do for Indian Country! 

Job Opportunity: Associate

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Kewenvoyouma Law, PLLC
Associate

Kewenvoyouma Law, PLLC is seeking a motivated, self-driven, and ambitious full-time associate. Kewenvoyouma Law, PLLC is a 100% Indian owned boutique law firm providing legal services exclusively to Indian tribes, tribal business enterprises, tribal agencies, and tribal entrepreneurs. Our firm provides services in the area of Indian law, business transactions, economic development, finance, gaming, and all areas of tribal government. We are proud to assist as day-to-day general or special counsel for tribes and corporate counsel for tribal business.

See full job description.

 

Please submit information via email to gina@vtklaw.com. Please contact Gina Ortiz at 480-428-4590 with any questions. Experience and/or education in transactional, business, economic development, or gaming preferred. Native American hiring preference will be provided to qualified attorneys.

Call for articles: Special Indian Law edition of the Arizona Attorney 2023

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Deadline: February 28, 2023

The Indian Law Section is soliciting proposals for articles to be included in the 2023 special Indian Law edition of the Arizona Attorney magazine. The proposal should focus on an issue of interest to those who practice Indian Law.

Either a short or a long article may be proposed. Generally, a long article will be between 2,000 and 2,500 words (in a Microsoft Word document, about 9 to 12 pages including endnotes) and will be about 3 to 4 pages in the magazine. A short article will be approximately 1,500 words and typically will be 2 pages in the magazine.

The proposal should provide the following information: author’s name and contact information (e-mail address, phone number, and name of employer/firm); the subject matter of the article (e.g., ICWA, NAGPRA, Water Rights, Land Use, Tribal Sovereignty, etc.); the anticipated title; and a concise summary of the thesis of the article.

Proposal authors will be notified on whether their proposed article has been accepted by March 10, 2023. The draft of the article for a selected proposal will be due on April 7, 2023. Final drafts of selected articles are due by May 5, 2023.

Past articles from the 2022 Indian Law edition were:

McGirt v. Oklahoma: The Most Impactful Indian Law Case in a Century?
By Professor Robert J. Miller

ICWA- The Gold Standard: Golden Nuggets of Evidence from Arizona
By Tara Hubbard & Fred Urbina

Indigenous Erasure in Public Schools: Critical Race Theory, Discriminatory Policies, and Remedies for Students
By Mia Montoya Hammersley, Adriana M. Orman & Wouter Zwart

“Authentic” From Time Immemorial: Reforming Rule of Evidence 902 To Reflect Tribal Sovereignty
By Henry Oostrom-Shah

The Cabazon Decision, 35 Years On
By Glenn M. Feldman

Tribal Labor and Employment Law: The Evolution of the Navajo Preference in Employment Act
By Paul Spruhan

Indian Law From Behind the Bench
By Alexander Mallory (’19)

Oral History on Trial
By Robert Alan Hershey

Past 2021 articles

If you would like to submit a proposal or if you have questions, please contact
Glennas’ba Augborne Arents (’16), Secretary, Indian Law Section
gaugborne@rothsteinlaw.com

OR

Hon. June Harris, Member-at-Large, Indian Law Section
JHarris@sc.pima.gov

Where are they now? Feat. Shea Backus (’03)

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Shea Backus (’03) is a shareholder of Backus | Burden, a civil / commercial litigation firm in Las Vegas, Nevada. Shea has been elected to serve as an Assemblywoman in the Nevada State Legislature representing District 37. This is her second time to serve. She will have the honor to chair Revenue and serve as vice-chair of Ways & Means.

Q: What has your journey been like since you graduated?

A: It is almost 20 years since I graduated, and it does not feel that long. I have been in private practice since graduating. I started working for my dad’s small firm in Las Vegas right after law school, and am now a shareholder. I have had the privilege of being able to practice in the State of Nevada, as well as three tribal courts.

Four years ago, I decided to run for our state legislature. I won in 2018, lost in 2020 and won in 2022. I’m looking forward to serve my second regular session starting February 6, after serving in one regular session in 2019 and two special sessions in 2020. From my service in 2019, I was appointed to the Uniform Law Commission. Since then, I have been a Commissioner for Nevada. I am proudly on a study committee looking at a uniform or model code addressing issues related to the Indian Child Welfare Act. I am also exploring a bill to address any issues pertaining to ICWA in light of pending matters before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Q: What is the most valuable lesson you learned in the classroom that has helped you in your career?

A: Legal Writing! ASU’s legal writing program definitely prepared me for the practice of law.

Q: Is there anything you’ve learned after graduating that you wished you learned in class?

A: The difference between practicing law and studying in law school. This is more on me and less on the law school. At the time I was at ASU, I had no idea that I would be a litigator, so I never took any classes that would have prepared me for the litigation world.

Q: What originally made you choose ASU Law?

A: Reputation, ILP and closeness to home.

Q: Who was your favorite law professor, and why?

A: Professor Clinton. While I thought he was terrifying as my Indian Law professor, I came to appreciate him through his involvement with ILP and then as a professor of an Indian Gaming course that I took.

Q: What is your advice for current students?

A: Develop your legal writing and research skills while you are in law school as this will provide a great foundation to being a respected practitioner. Also, work harder than your opponent and you will succeed! 

Q: What do you want people to know about you?

A: I am truly proud of setting history by serving in the first female majority state legislature in U.S. history. When I won a seat that a lot of people thought I could not win because of my political party, it created the pathway to that majority female legislature.  I am also humbled and surprised to be the first female, enrolled in a tribe, to serve in the Nevada State Legislature. This has provided me with an understanding in addressing bills that can impact our tribal communities and urban Indians.