The ILP would like to invite the #ILPFamily to join us in celebrating the graduation of this year’s ILP students. Our virtual ceremony will be broadcast live via YouTube Premiere on May 13 at 1:30 p.m. (MST)
If you are unable to join us at that time, you may watch the video at a later time on the premiere page.
Set your reminders, post your congratulatory messages, live chat and tune in to watch our students graduate!
Tune in at: law.asu.edu/ilpgrad2020
Navajo Nation Washington Office
Washington, DC
Develops and implements media strategies & manages media relations activities to publicize congressional legislation, actions, and events; maximizes existing press contacts while cultivating new ones; writes, edits and issues press preleases, newsletters, publications, scripts & other communications documents; responds to congressional, legislative, and other public relations media requests; builds meaningful relationships with key public officials and Navajo Nation leaders; develops and implements governmental relations strategies; researches and composes speeches, presentations, and talking points; serves as a resource for regional and national reporters for the Navajo Nation government; coordinates public relations activities; advises office staff concerning public relations aspects of policies, practices, procedures, programs, and actions; produces news, public service and educational programs for radio and television; recruits and arranges public appearances with subject experts, elected officials, dignitaries, and other individuals; plans and coordinates news conferences and special events; serves as a contact for information administrators in the maintenance of the office network and website; and prepares required reports.
For full job description, click here.
Big Fire Law & Policy Group LLP is a prominent tribal law firm providing legal representation and advocacy in a broad range of services, with an emphasis in tribal law and federal Indian law serving tribal nations, tribal business enterprises and tribal organizations throughout the United States.
Big Fire Law & Policy Group LLP is seeking candidates with 7-10 years of litigation experience to join our metropolitan Omaha, Nebraska office. The right candidate will have the opportunity to work on cases in a variety of areas including constitutional law, environmental law, real estate, employment, tax issues, corporate/business matters, and complex federal, state and tribal court litigation at both trial and appellate levels.
Requirements
Preferred
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
Big Fire Law & Policy Group’s mission is to provide excellent legal services and an outstanding client experience, balanced with a work atmosphere that promotes individual betterment and professional exceptionalism. We build incredible trust with our clients by encouraging our attorneys to be the best at what they do, and to do so in the best possible way.
Unlimited paid time off for attorneys (billable time requirement applies)
Work -life balance and employee wellness promoted environment
Please send your cover letter, resume and writing sample to: careers@bigfirelaw.com
Center for Native American Youth (CNAY)
Washington, D.C.
About the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute The Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) believes all Native American youth should lead full and healthy lives, have equal access to opportunity, and draw strength from their culture and inspire one another. As a policy program of the Aspen Institute founded by former U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (ret.), we work to improve the health, safety, and overall well-being of Native American youth ages 18-24, with special emphasis on youth suicide prevention. We do this through youth recognition and leadership development, research, advocacy, and policy change; Native youth program capacity building; and by connecting Native youth with strengths-based media. We strive to bring greater national attention to the issues facing Native American youth while fostering community-driven solutions. The program, and this position, is based in Washington, DC.
Job Summary:
CNAY is seeking an Executive Director to lead a dynamic and impactful Native American youth leadership development and advocacy organization who can build on its successful growth since its founding in 2011. The candidate must have a very strong understanding of Native American policy issues and deep relationships with tribal communities, tribal leaders, and tribal nonprofit leaders. This position requires a strategic thinker who can work closely with youth and community stakeholders to design programs driven by their vision and rooted in their cultural values, while leveraging the wide resources and expertise of a large organization that is a global leader in the fields of leadership development, policy, and action. In addition to leading the strategic positioning and growth of CNAY’s programs, the Executive Director will manage a staff of 5 people and oversee all finance and operational responsibilities for the program. The Executive Director is also responsible for raising funds and other resources for the program, which is an essential part of the job. Finally, the ideal candidate will be the key external representative for the organization and possess strong writing and speaking ability that will raise the profile of CNAY to funders, elected officials, thought leaders, and other key stakeholders.
For full job description, click here.
In celebrating “Women’s History Month,” we turned to some of the women of the ILP to shed light on Native women legal professionals and advocates in this Progress, Power, Purpose series. This brilliant Choctaw woman is a great advocate for all things Native Vote and an asset to the program, especially the Indian Legal Clinic. Here Torey reflects on her law school memories and the meaning of her work.
Q: What does your position entail?
A: I am the Native Vote Fellow in the Arizona State University Indian Legal Clinic – I work full time issues related to Voting Rights for Native Americans in the State of Arizona. I work directly with Tribes, County, and State Officers on voting issues as well as educate the public about barriers that Native Americans face. I also worked on the Arizona Native Vote Election Protection Project in the 2020 Election Cycle to advocate for Tribes to retain access to voting, answered calls to the Arizona Native Vote Election Protection Hotline, coordinated Election Protection Volunteers on election day, and we collected data on the barriers that Native Americans faced when voting.
Q: Were you always interested in this kind of work?
A: No. I’ve always been interested in Civil Rights, but never thought about issues related to voting rights. It wasn’t until I was a student in the ASU Indian Legal Clinic working on the Arizona Native Vote Election Protection Project that I realized this is an ongoing area of civil rights struggle that needs attention. It was then I became passionate about the work.
Q: What advice do you have for Native American women who want to work in this area?
A: Just do it! There are a handful of attorneys that work at the intersection of voting rights and Indian law and it would be great to get more women in this area. Start by networking and reaching out.
Q: What is your proudest career moment?
A: On election day, through our hotline and our volunteers we learned that polling locations on the Navajo Nation did not open on time and was opened an hour late. During election day, we worked on preparing a case along with the ACLU to go to court to keep the polls open longer at the end of the day to make up for lost time. We successfully got the court order. When a voter went to vote during the extended hour the poll workers attempted to turn her away, but our volunteer encouraged her to stay as she called the hotline. I answered the hotline call and explained to the voter that she had the right to vote because of the court order. We stayed on the phone talking to the voter and poll worker, alerted the Navajo Nation Department of Justice, the Secretary of State, and the Apache County Election’s Department. We were adamant. Ultimately, the county got in touch with the poll workers and the county instructed them to let the voter cast a ballot. It was a day’s worth of work to get the court order and because of our volunteers, our team, and our efforts we were able to ensure that person voted.
Q: Is there anything you’ve learned after graduating that you wished you learned in class?
A: I wish I had learned more about counseling Tribal clients when it comes to deciding when to file a lawsuit and when to pursue other diplomatic channels to solve disputes. As Native people, we know that you can be right on the law and still lose in court due to bias. Tribal governments must balance a lot of factors when deciding whether to pursue legal action, so I wish I had more experience in addressing those various concerns before graduating.
Q: What is the most valuable lesson you learned in the classroom that has helped you in your career?
A: I’m very grateful that my Indian Law professors repeatedly emphasized the nature of jurisdiction on Indian reservations. I feel comfortable analyzing state law and how it impacts Native Americans living on Tribal lands because I know the in’s and out’s of state jurisdiction on Tribal lands thanks to my professors.
Q: What is your advice for current students?
A: Get to know your professors and the people in your community. Indian law is a small field and the people around you have a wealth of knowledge. These are people that will go on to be your mentors, colleagues, adversaries in court, or just lifelong friends. Get to know them, and remember, when someone helps you make sure you help them down the road.
Q: Who are three Native American women law professionals and/or advocates who should be on our radar right now?
A: Sarah Crawford (’19), Blair Tarman (3L), and Rellani Ogumuro (’19)
Q: Favorite law school memory.
A: Doing moot court in 2019 with Sarah Crawford, Ana Laurel, and Meredith Duarte. We put in a lot of work, Sarah and I did not advance, but we all became really close and the friendship I have with them is an important part of my life and something I’m grateful for every day.
Review Torey’s publications:
Continue to Progress, Power, Purpose series.
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Danielle Williams
Program Coordinator, Indian Legal Program, ASU Law
| On Sept. 27, Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP invited the ILP to their firm for a lunch presentation. Along with our ILP staff and students, we saw some familiar ILP family faces like Peter Larson (’02), Professor Pilar Thomas and Navajo Nation Attorney General Doreen McPaul (’01). Among Council Delegates, Eugenia Charles Newton (Council Delegate, Navajo Nation; Chairwoman, Law and Order Committee at Navajo Nation) spoke at the presentation. Aspen Miller (2L) commented on her experience, “I am Navajo and it was great to hear from my elders and leaders about their journey and experience dealing with law. It reminded me that so many options are available in practicing law. Any experience gained or skills developed can be brought back to benefit.” We appreciate Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP for hosting us! |
Job Description: The Gallup Office of the New Mexico Law Office of the Public Defender is hiring both practicing attorneys and 3Ls interested in a career in indigent defense. Depending on experience, the attorney would be expected to handle a wide variety of misdemeanor and/or felony cases, meeting with clients, interviewing witnesses, developing strategy, researching, briefing, and arguing motions, and conducting jury trials. Additionally, consistent with our offices belief in holistic representation, attorneys would be expected to assist our on-site case manager with the social needs of our clients, including addiction recovery, mental health, and familial relations, as they relate to our clients’ cases. Expect significant responsibility and trial experience early and often. Few public defender offices in the country can offer the sort of experience that our newer attorneys get on a regular basis.
Gallup is a small city in western New Mexico on the border of the Navajo Nation and the Zuni Pueblo. Approximately 75% of the people in the county (and therefore, our clients) are Native American. Thus, in addition to the typical slate of criminal law issues that most public defenders face, our cases often involve complex and sensitive issues of Federal Indian Law.
Located in the high desert of the Colorado Plateau, Gallup enjoys easy access to world class (and uncrowded) hiking, fishing, biking, camping, climbing, skiing, and other outdoor recreation. It is a world-renowned capital of Native American arts and culture, home of the Gallup Indian Ceremonial every year in August.
Minimum Qualifications: For practicing attorneys, being a member in good standing of any state’s bar and willing to obtain a Limited License to practice from the New Mexico Supreme Court. For current 3Ls, a willingness to take the New Mexico Bar Exam.
To Apply: A full description of the position for practicing attorneys is available here.
ASU NALSA collaborated with NABA-AZ to host a NABA-AZ Professional Development Panel for law students.
Theresa Rosier (’98), Katosha Nakai (’03), Kevin Pooley (’15) and Denton Robinson shared tips on networking and employment in Indian Country with our current students. Thank you for coming to speak to our students!
