Category Archives: Alumni

Pechanga Wills Clinic

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The Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law’s Indian Legal Clinic partnered with the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians Tribal Leadership and the California Indian Legal Services on Sept. 23 and 24 in an extremely successful Indian Wills Clinic for the members of the Pechanga Band. At the event, free legal services were offered to members of the Band who wished to create wills for bequeathing their allotments. The Pechanga Indian Reservation includes a mix of trust lands, fee lands and lands owned by the Band, individual Indians and non-Indians.

Eleven members of the Band met with three Indian Legal Clinic students on the first day of the Clinic to discuss their estate planning needs. The students then drafted an Indian will that was ready for execution on the following day for each of the individuals. Jennifer Parisien, Tribal Treasurer Department Financial Analyst, coordinated the event while Michele Fahley, Deputy General Counsel for the Band, and Mica Llerandi, staff attorney with California Indian Legal Services, supervised the student attorneys.

“Ensuring tribal members have access to legal services in preparing Indian wills has been a long-term priority for my office,” said Steve Bodmer, JD ’06, the Band’s General Counsel. “When our Tribal Secretary and Tribal Treasurer reached out to me regarding adding wills to the Pechanga financial education series, my thoughts turned immediately to the Indian Legal Program as a possible resource to make this project a success.”

Robyn Delfino, Pechanga Band Tribal Treasurer, explained that the Wills Clinic was part of a larger initiative sponsored by the Tribal Treasury Department and Tribal Leadership with an aim of assisting members by providing education about financial management and legal tools for planning for the future.

“The amazing work that was performed in the Wills Clinic is evidenced in the reaction of the Band’s membership,” said Bodmer.

“The feedback from members was extremely positive,” added Delfino, “which resulted in multiple tribal members contacting us to ask when the next clinic would be held. The partnership between the Tribal Leadership, California Indian Legal Services, and the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law’s Indian Legal Clinic was a win-win situation where tribal members gained very valuable services while students gained very valuable educational experiences.”

The students involved in the Wills Clinic were universal in their appreciation for the learning opportunities the program provided.

“I am thankful for the rewarding and humbling experience of working with clients to prepare their wills from start to finish,” shared Cynthia Freeman, JD candidate ’20, “I am grateful for the first-hand practical experience, which
is a great contribution to my overall legal education.”

Cora Tso, JD candidate ’20, said “creating a will is a proactive step for members to take to protect their families for generations to come. It was an amazing experience to be able to help them with their endeavors.”

Shayla Bowles, JD candidate ’20, was happy for the experience in counseling clients.

“From a practical standpoint, I learned how to conduct an interview while acknowledging the very sensitive and personal nature of estate planning,” said Bowles. “Because drafting Indian wills is a specialty, I feel blessed to have this knowledge to apply in my legal future.”

“The students did a tremendous job of building the clients’ trust in the limited amount of time available to them,” said Helen Burtis, JD ’07, the faculty associate overseeing the students’ participation in the Wills Clinic. They prepared for
the Wills Clinic by learning about fractionalization of allotments and the
American Indian Probate Reform Act.

“Drafting Indian Wills is technically complex, and the students were dedicated to getting the clients’ estate planning wishes accurately incorporated into the documents,” Burtis added. “On behalf of the Indian Legal Clinic and the Indian Legal Program, I would like to thank Pechanga Tribal Leadership and staff as well as the members who agreed to work with students for letting our students take part in this valuable program.”

Job Opportunity – Attorney General

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Tohono O’odham Legislative Branch
Sells, Arizona

POSITION SUMMARY: The attorney general provides legal advice and representation to all officials, agencies, departments, divisions and branches of the Tohono O’odham Nation, a federally recognized Indian tribe with 2.8 million acres of reservation land in Southern Arizona. The attorney general represents the Nation in all legal proceedings, and in other matters that affect the legal interests of the Nation; advises senior management and tribal officials; and supervises assistant attorneys general and contract attorneys. (Job description available at http://tolc-nsn.org)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Juris doctorate from an accredited law school, a licensed attorney admitted to practice before the highest court of a state of the United States, three years of supervisory experience and ten years of experience in the practice of law. If appointed, must be admitted to State Bar of Arizona within 18 months. Subject to background investigation.

INDIAN PREFERENCE
Preference in filling vacancies will be given to (1) enrolled members of the Tohono O’odham Nation, (2) enrolled members of other tribal nations or tribes, (3) other candidates.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested applicants should email a completed application form (available at http://tolc-nsn.org), resume, letter of interest, and three writing samples. Writing samples must include at least one pleading or substantive memorandum filed in court. Only electronic submissions will be accepted. Please provide all application materials to:
ATTN: Julianna Saraficio, Legislative Assistant
Tohono O’odham Legislative Branch
Julianna.Saraficio@tonation-nsn.gov
(520) 383-5260 (office)

Download full job description here.

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Building a Better Future: Tahda Ahtone (’14)

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Recently, Tahda Ahtone (’14) presented a digital campaign that promotes sustainability to an ASU digital marketing class.

Ahtone is the president of JackRabbit Development, LLC and the executive director of JackRabbit Homes, Inc a registered 501(c)3. Her company focuses on sustainable community building in order to save client’s money and help save the environment. With both a for-profit and non-profit program, Ahtone said they are able to hit all sectors of the market with emphasis on education on food, water and energy, which are especially important to be addressed in Tribal communities taking sovereignty into account.

Ahtone earned both her JD and MLS degrees from ASU Law, and she was the first ever to complete both degrees in 2014. She said her degrees helped her create a network and give her more authority and credibility in her career. She highly recommends that students network while at ASU Law.

She also encourages students to not be afraid to pursue other career paths with their degrees or think out of the norm with their expertise.

“Don’t be discouraged if what you want to do is different,” Ahtone said. “At one point in my last year I had decided that I thought it would be a good idea to focus on marijuana law. It was a really new subject and was almost taboo to discuss with anyone. When I finally got the courage to discuss with someone I was practically ostracized for even mentioning it. That person, a dean, was the fool. Just as I predicted marijuana law is a huge booming market, and had I just followed my instinct and not be chastised at the law school, I would likely have been a marijuana law expert at this point.”

Where are they now? Three Times the Experience

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At the time of this article’s publication, Peter Galindez, Theresa Rosier and Justine Jimmie were just three students at the ILP, studying and working together. Now, 21 years after graduation, the three were able to reflect on their path from law school to their current careers. You can read the full Q&A below.

Newspaper article that features three ILP alumni from the class of '98
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Job Opportunity – Licensed Associate Judge

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Scottsdale, AZ

Full-Time -$113,636.00 – $164,772.00 Annually
Category: Court Administration / Legal / Community and Social Services
Department: Judicial

Position Summary:  Under the administrative direction of the Chief Judge, presides over criminal, civil and juvenile cases as assigned. Responsible for fair and impartial administration of justice pursuant to the judicial powers granted by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) and in ensuring SRPMIC adherence to applicable Federal, Tribal and other relevant laws and ordinances. The Licensed Associate Judge is appointed by the Council.  This job class is treated as FLSA Exempt.

Definition
Position Summary: Under the administrative direction of the Chief Judge, presides over criminal, civil and juvenile cases as assigned. Responsible for fair and impartial administration of justice pursuant to the judicial powers granted by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) and in ensuring SRPMIC adherence to applicable Federal, Tribal and other relevant laws and ordinances. The Licensed Associate Judge is appointed by the Council. This job class is treated as FLSA Exempt.

Examples of Tasks
Distinguishing Features: The Licensed Associate Judge is an integral member of the judicial system and as such serves to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice. The Licensed Associate Judge must thoroughly understand the legal system, administration of justice, interpersonal relationships, and dispute resolution as well as appropriate decision making techniques, public safety, and governmental methods of reporting. Responsible for complex and sensitive legal decisions and judicial rulings on criminal and civil cases as assigned. The Licensed Associate Judge’s work is reviewed by the Chief Judge through an annual performance review, reports, conferences and meetings. Judicial conduct is governed by Section 4-25 of the SRPMIC Code of ordinances and the SRPMIC Court Rules of Professional Conduct, Sec 2, Judicial Rules of Professional Conduct.

Minimum Qualifications
Qualifications:
Education & Experience: The applicant shall meet all the qualifications as set for in Chapter 4, Article 2, 4-22 (D) of the SRPMIC Code of Ordinances as amended. Such qualifications include:

  1. Being thirty (30) years of age or older;
  2. Must have graduated from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctorate;
  3. Must be a member for at least three (3) years and in good standing with a state bar association;
  4. Of good moral character and any assessment of moral character shall be consistent with the customs and traditions of the Akimel O’odham and Xalychidom Piiipaash peoples;
  5. Has never been removed for good cause as a judge in jurisdiction;
  6. Has never been convicted of a felony in any jurisdiction and has not been convicted of a misdemeanor (not including violations that are generally considered civil  traffic violations) within the past 5 years; and
  7. Preference will be given to enrolled members of the Community, the Gila River Indian Community, the Ak-Chin Indian Community and the Tohono O’odham Nation.
  8. Serving a one (1) year probationary period;
  9. Having never been removed for good cause from a judge position in any jurisdiction;
  10. Being subject to SRPMIC administrative policies regarding employees except when such policies are inconsistent with the status and duties of a judge including, but not limited to, employee grievance, recruitment and selection, and underfill policies. Notwithstanding the administrative policies, Section 4-25 of the SRPMIC Code of ordinance shall apply to all removal or suspension of judges;
  11. Being subject to the SRPMIC Court Rules of Professional Conduct, Section 2 Judicial Rules of Professional conduct and as these rules may be amended.

To apply, click here.

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Job Opportunity – Staff Attorney

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Navajo Nation Judicial Branch
Chinle, AZ

Under general direction of the Judges of the assigned district, performs work of considerable difficulty in providing complex legal advice and guidance; conducts legal research and drafts legal documents in support of the judges, court solicitor and court administrators; undertakes special projects for the Judicial Branch; performs related duties assigned. Provides legal guidance to judicial judges, involving numerous areas of law; utilizes a variety of research methods to find legal precedents; reviews statutes, rules, administrative orders, policies and procedures, case law, briefs and other administrative and legal documents; provides both informal and legal opinions, recommendations and legal briefs resulting from research; proposes alternatives and options to consider; drafts memoranda, decisions, judgements, orders, summaries and other legal documents. Provides advice and assistance in administrative issues, including, but not limited to, employment matters, policy issues, and impact of legislation; undertakes special legal and administrative projects, conducts legal education programs; participates in the development of training plans, curricula and educational materials and provides training; provides legal representation for the court in various legal arenas; attends meetings.

See full job description here.

To submit application, click here.

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Job Opportunity – ILP Program Coordinator

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Indian Legal Program, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law
Phoenix, AZ

Closing Date: September 23, 2019

The Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law seeks a dynamic, self-starter for the position of Program Coordinator.  The successful candidate will provide administrative support and assist with program development to the Indian Legal Program (ILP) which includes the Indian Legal Clinic (ILC) and faculty support.

Essential Duties
The successful candidate will be responsible for and have duties in the following areas:

  • Coordinate events and conferences for the ILP and ILC including registration, venue, food and guest speaker travel arrangements.
  • Train and supervise student workers for the ILP and ILC.
  • Coordinate information for the ILP monthly newsletter in SalesForce and event advertising campaign, including creative planning, compiling and editing content.
  • Monitor and update promotional and digital communication material via program’s website, blog and social media platforms to enhance marketing efforts.Assist ILP Executive Director and Faculty Director with various projects.
  • Prepare classroom materials, notes, course descriptions, examinations, best/model answers, grade sheets, and posting of Canvas notices and assignments for both ILP and program.
  • Assist with research and maintenance of databases for both ILP and ILC programs.
  • Support calendar and scheduling for ILP Executive Director, faculty/committee members of ILP.
  • Prepare/generate correspondence, manuscripts, routine letters and memos.
  • Arrange necessary and extensive travel reservations and itineraries; anticipate and prepare background material as needed; complete travel documentation process including entering trips into the Concur Travel System and the College of Law travel approval site to seek reimbursement for traveler.
  • Assist in monitoring the ILP budget and paying bills.
  • Interact and serve as liaison with students, faculty, staff and outside community agencies.
  • Open and review incoming mail and respond to routine inquiries.
  • Prepare special/recurring reports containing sensitive information.
  • Physical presence at the workplace is an essential function/requirement of this position.
  • Other duties as assigned that support the goals of the department, College of Law and ASU.

Download full job description here.

Please apply at: https://cfo.asu.edu/applicant and follow the instructions under Non-ASU Employees Job Opportunities. > Click on Advanced Search and enter Requisition ID: 55558BR and then click the Search button to the right. Then, click on results for 55558BR  to open position posting and click Apply to job button at the bottom of page. You will be asked to submit your resume, cover letter and three references.

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