Free and open to public. Food will be reserved to those who send their RSVP to ilp@asu.edu. Join us!
Robert Rosette (JD ’96) Lunch Lecture – 2/22
Category Archives: Alumni
All’s Fair in Love and Law
Happy Valentine’s Day to our Indian Legal Program family, which keeps growing! We wanted to celebrate this sweet holiday by spreading some of the love we have right here in our program. Thank you to all the couples who submitted their pictures to us!
Featured: LaTonia Bercenti Johnson (’05), her husband, Eli, and their daughter, Brooklynn; Theresa Rosier (’98) and Peter Larson (’02); David Hammond (’04) and his wife, Becky; Glenna Augborne (’16) and Brandon Arents (ASU Law ’15); Ann Marie Bledsoe Downes (’94) and Bradley Bledsoe Downes (’94); Christine Reyes (’17) and John Van Dyk (ASU Law ’17); Ron Rosier (’95) and Kate Rosier; Heather Clah (’05), her husband, Ramondo, and their children; Chia Halpern Beetso (’08) and Derrick Beetso (’10); Jake Schellinger (’12) and Vivian Nava-Schellinger (ASU Law ’12); Aspen Miller (1L) and her fiancé, Seth Jensen; Nikki Borchardt Campbell (’09) and Matt Campbell (’08); Chelee John (’16) and Travis Lovett (’14).
Some iconic ILP couples found love on ASU grounds! Three couples shared their special stories.
Ann Marie Bledsoe Downes (’94) and Bradley Bledsoe Downes (’94)
“We both entered law school in 1991. We both participated in the ILP during our entire law school career. We started dating in the fall of our 2L year. Our first date was a movie and we saw ‘A League of Their Own’. We were married March of our 3L year. Many of our law school and ILP friends traveled to Vegas for our wedding! We will celebrate our 25th anniversary on March 19.”
Christine Reyes (’17) and John Van Dyk (ASU Law ’17)
“John and I met on the second day of law school (not at ASU, we’re transfer students). I had taken a picture of the front of the classroom on the first day of school to post on social media with the caption ‘First day of Law School!’ John happened to be sitting in front of me and so the back of his head made an appearance in the picture. A mutual friend of ours apparently recognized the back of John’s head and messaged me asking if the guy in front of me was John Van Dyk. The next day I tapped him on the shoulder and asked if he was John Van Dyk. He turned slightly to acknowledge me and confirmed that he was, but quickly turned back around. I proceeded to tell him ‘I know this might sound weird but yesterday I took a picture of the back of your head and my friend recognized you.’ He again, slightly turned and said, ‘Oh!’ and chuckled, but turned back around quickly. (I must’ve made him nervous). After that day we clung to each other (on that sinking ship) and became best friends and study buddies! We were just friends for the first year of law school until we finally gave in and started dating after 1L year. January 31, 2019, almost 4 years later, he popped the question! And we’re officially engaged!”
Glenna Augborne (’16) and Brandon Arents (ASU Law ’15)
“Brandon and I met through a mutual friend in law school in December 2013. I shared my chicken enchiladas with him, and we talked about martial arts, music and food all evening. Despite having a great introduction, Brandon played it cool for a month before asking me out on an official date. When he finally did, he took me to what is now our favorite Ethiopian restaurant. We were married February 11, 2018––just in time for Valentine’s Day.”
Jake Schellinger (‘12) and Vivian Nava-Schellinger (ASU Law ’12)
“Jake walked into my Torts Law class as I had already set up my necessary highlighters, notebooks for taking down and important information, and had my laptop ready to go. Jake walked in, sat in front of me, and turned around to ask me for a highlighter. He was cute and suntanned (from what I later learned was attributed to time he spent building pools in the Midwest all summer), I figured I could lend him a highlighter. We later found out that we were not only in the same section, but we ended up in the same study group. The third floor of the “old” law library on the Tempe campus because a place of sanctuary for us; an ironic comfort mixed with hours of reading, outlining, and practicing for oral arguments in study rooms cramped with too much Taco Bell and Mountain Dew. While the law library became “our place” learning together and challenging one another began to feel like home.After years of friendship, we started dating in fall 2011, 3L year, and after graduation, Jake proposed to me exactly three days after we took the bar exam. He proposed at my favorite running spot, on the most scenic point in the Franklin Mountains, in my hometown of El Paso, Texas. Our journey brought us to Washington, DC, and tons of adventures in between. We continue to see both the ILP and ASU Law as that representation of “home” that we will always have, no matter where life takes us.”
Mandy Cisneros (’11) and Joe Keene (’12)
“Mandy Cisneros (Kickapoo/Potawatomi) and Joe Keene (Osage/Cherokee) first met in Lawrence, Kansas. Mandy was a graduate student in the University of Kansas Indigenous Nations Studies Program, and working at the dorms on the Haskell Indian Nations University campus. Joe was completing his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Haskell. Both were on track to attend KU Law, but once they learned more about the Indian Legal Program at ASU, they changed course. Neither had ever been to Arizona before. Mandy started law school the year before Joe, and during her second year and Joe’s first year, the welcomed their daughter Maya. The addition of a new baby did not derail their dreams of becoming attorneys. In fact, the ILP community provided support and encouragement for the new little family to continue their journey, successfully. Since graduating law school, the couple settled in Tempe, AZ and became engaged in 2018. They believe if they survived law school together, marriage should be a breeze. Mandy is an Associate General Counsel at Gila River Indian Community in Sacaton, AZ, and Joe is an Associate Attorney at Sacks Tierney in Scottsdale, AZ.”
Nikki Borchardt Campbell (’09) and Matt Campbell (’08)
“Matt and Nikki met during the summer of 2006 at the Pre-law Summer Institute (“PLSI”) in Albuquerque. Matt had just finished his first year of law school at ASU, and he was working as a teaching assistant for PLSI. Nikki was attending PLSI as a student, and she was planning to attend the University of Utah the following fall. As fate would have it, during PLSI, Arizona State (ahem, Kate Rosier) stole Nikki away from Utah and gave Nikki an offer she couldn’t refuse–an amazing scholarship offer and the opportunity to study with the best Indian legal scholars in the country. Nikki was headed to Arizona. The day Nikki moved to Tempe, she received an unexpected call from Matt. He invited her out with other ASU law students for the evening. He was charming, polite, and fun. They began dating soon thereafter and quickly became inseparable. The two became best friends and fell in love. They married in October of 2011 and welcomed son, Eli, in April of 2013. They now live in Colorado where Matt is a Staff Attorney with the Native American Rights Fund, and Nikki is the Executive Director of the National American Indian Court Judges Association.”
Chelee John (’16) and Travis Lovett (’14)
“ When I started law school, Travis was a 3L. I first noticed him during the ILP’s Welcome Dinner where he was awarded the Judge William C. Canby Scholarship. Professor Clinton introduced Travis and spout off an extensive list of Travis’ law school accomplishments. Let’s just say, I was immediately impressed. A few days later, NALSA hosted its first lunch meeting and, as the President of NALSA, Travis led the meeting. This is the first time Travis remembers noticing me, the overly eager 1L sitting in the front row of the NALSA meeting. Having both noticed each other, you would think as confident future-lawyers that we would just introduce ourselves, but apparently we were not that self-assured. A week or so later, the law school was scheduled to host its inaugural “Gold ‘n Gavel” fundraiser and the ILP had two tickets to give to its students. By mere happenstance (or so I thought) Travis and I were the two ILP students chosen to attend the event… Within hours, we started emailing, quickly exchanged phone numbers, and by the end of the night of the Gold ‘n Gavel, Travis asked me if he could take me out sometime. To which I articulately replied, “fo sho.” And the rest is history. We’ve been together nearly six years, we each graduated from law school; we moved to Canada and back again; had our daughter, Atlanna; Travis got his LLM; we studied and passed the Indiana bar together; and now we drive to work together, both working for the State of Indiana – Travis as a Deputy Attorney General and I as a Law Clerk for Court of Appeals. And to think it all started by being cc’ed on an ILP email.”
2019 ILP Alumni Awards – Call for Nominations
The ILP alumni awards are now open. Nominate your classmates and friends! The ILP Awards include Professional Achievement, Alumni Service Award, and Emerging Leader Award. Nominations are due February 18, 2019! Nomination materials should be sent by email to: Kate.Rosier@asu.edu. Awards will be presented at the ILP alumni reception at Fed Bar on April 11th at Sandia Resort & Casino.
Nomination Guidelines
ILP Professional Achievement Award – This award recognizes outstanding achievement in Indian Law or Tribal Law throughout an individual’s career. The award honors ILP alumni whose achievements in the field of Indian Law or Tribal Law have brought distinction to themselves and real benefit to the Indian community. Nomination Package Requirements:
- Describe the unique professional achievements in the field of Indian Law or Tribal Law that has brought distinction to the candidate. (maximum two pages)
- Describe the recognized contributions made by this candidate that demonstrate a benefit to the larger community. (maximum one page)
- Describe the ways in which the candidate’s achievements are truly extraordinary or exceptional. (maximum one page)
- Provide at least two letters of support from individuals that can speak to the candidate’s impact on his or her profession.
- Letters of support should speak to the magnitude of the individual’s impact in the practice of Indian or tribal law or in the Indian community.
- Provide a 200 word bio of the nominee.
- Past winners include: Kathy Bowman (’86), Rob Rosette (’96), Diane Enos (’92), Ben Hanley (’71), Herb Yazzie (’75).
ILP Alumni Service Award – This award is given for outstanding service to the Indian Legal Program, and is awarded for extended, extraordinary service to the Indian Legal Program. Nomination Package Requirements
- Describe the ways in which the candidate has served or supported the ILP and the ILP alumni. Examples can include serving on committees, boards, CLEs, mentoring ILP students, or other volunteer or fundraising efforts or funding commitments. (maximum one page)
- Describe the ways this service been truly extraordinary. (maximum one page)
- Describe how the candidate’s service has benefited the ILP. (maximum one page)
- Please provide at least two letters of support from ILP alumni as part of the nomination package.
- Provide a 200 word bio of the nominee.
- Past winners include: Ann Marie Downes (’94), Mary Shirley (’92) and Jeff Harmon (’05)
ILP Emerging Leader Award – This award acknowledges and encourages service to Indian Country and the ILP by alumni who are less than ten years out of law school. The award recognizes outstanding achievements in their professional career, volunteer work, and promotion or support of the ILP and/or ASU NALSA. Nomination Package Requirements.
- Describe how the candidate has achieved professional success in their legal career.
- Describe the candidate’s volunteer work.
- Describe how the candidate achieved an exceptional level of service while balancing the demands of being a recent graduate. (maximum one page)
- Describe how the candidate was proactive in efforts to become involved in ILP and/or ILP alumni activities. (maximum one page)
- Describe how the candidate’s service has been sustained over a long period of time or how the service has been innovative or beneficial. (maximum one page)
- Provide two letters of support from fellow ILP alumni.
- Provide a 200 word bio of the nominee.
- Past winners include: Steve Bodmer (’06), Elizabeth Medicine Crow (’05), Charles Galbraith (’07), Matthew Campbell (’08) and Michael Corey Hinton (’11)
Alum Advice: Ken Truitt
ILP Alum Ken Truitt has had experience in various legal positions since he graduated from ASU Law in 1992. Now working as the chief operating officer of Tribal Operations for the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Tribes of Alaska, he oversees most of the Tribe’s programs. The ILP asked Ken to share some advice to current students as an insight into what helped lead him on his journey after graduation.
Q: What is your advice for current students?
A: “Several things come to mind. First, and not necessarily legally related but it could really help you map out your career after school: The Gallup organization has done decades worth of deep research into what makes good leaders good. The research has led to several books, perhaps the best known is “Strengths Based Leadership.” Along with the book is an online assessment tool that you get access to for buying the book. The tool is a leadership strength diagnostic survey and is remarkably accurate at assessing your particular leadership and vocational strengths. I wished I had come across this as a young professional starting out. It would have helped me understand why some courses and areas in the law seem to come easy to me and why some did not. Having a keen sense of your unique strengths early will help you in every job interview you get called for and it will help you analyze job announcements and see that some of them are not for you.
Second, recognize that law school primarily teaches you to be a life-long learner. The law changes every day and when you are out practicing it will not be the same as it was when you were in school. Again, this is a strategic advantage because not all other professional disciplines teach life-long learning as a component of the pedagogy. This absolute need to staying fresh and sharp is a competitive advantage lawyers have over other professionals especially if you find yourself transitioning into non-legal executive roles.
Third, learn how to transition. I mentioned life-long learning, here’s another way it can really help you throughout your career. Sometimes when you get into other non-legal roles, like management, what makes you a good lawyer is not automatically going to make you great in your new non-legal role. You will need to have an awareness of this, analyze the new role’s demands and commit to learning the new required skills and learning what parts of being a lawyer will hamper your performance there (here’s a hint, nobody likes being cross-examined, not on the stand and especially not in the workplace, ever).
Finally, learn how to network and network relentlessly. Some of the bumps I mentioned earlier could have been much more smooth had I recognized the need to network. Networking used to seem to me a smarmy exercise that overly ambitious and insincere people did to put themselves first in all circumstances. And as an introvert by nature I recoiled from it as well. But networking is as simple as taking an interest in people, and then staying in touch and connected with them. Sadly, I came to this realization late and I am working on improving in this area.”
Q: Is there anything you’ve learned after graduating that you wished you learned in class?
A: “When I was working in the state Attorney General’s Office I was lucky enough to attend one of the regional trial training programs from the National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA). The NITA program is an 11 – 14 day trial and lecture program where you get intense trial advocacy classroom lectures for the first few days along with mock opening statements and closing arguments. And then given material to prepare and present a case before a live jury in a real courtroom with a real judge. Early on, the mock statements are videoed and your peers and instructors, who are all trial lawyers, critique your video performance. Being forced to watch yourself and listen to your peers’ critique is an amazingly effective way to detect vocal and body language faults and correct them.
Being forced to prepare for a trial brings home all the law school work like nothing I had experienced prior. The rules of evidence and civil/criminal procedure, discovery review all come into focus in that 11-14 day time frame. I was surprised as I moved into the [general counsel] role how much the NITA training increased my competency in a non-trial role. I was able to see almost immediately evidentiary priorities as issues presented themselves that could potentially lead to litigation. There was something to having to go through discovery and find evidence to meet the burden of proof on every element of the case, and then present that case convincingly that brought all disciplines of law into sharp focus. Having had that, I could spot issues and prioritize them much more quickly than before I had the training.
I didn’t participate in any clinical programs while at school and I don’t recall how robust the trial clinic programs were when I was at ASU, but I wished I had availed myself of whatever was available.”
Job Opportunity: Commissioner Recruitment – Superior Court in Maricopa County
The Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County is accepting applications for appointment as a Commissioner. One or more appointments may be made from this recruitment. The position(s) is full-time (80 hours per two-week pay period) although the Court may, upon good cause, permit part-time employment. As Judicial employees of the Court, Commissioners are not permitted to practice law.
The selected Commissioners may function as a Plea Officer, or be assigned to the Early Disposition Court, Initial Appearance Court or Juvenile Advisory Hearings. The selected Commissioners may also be assigned and/or assist with work or hear matters in other Court departments, including Civil, Family Court, Juvenile, Criminal, Probate, Mental Health, Tax or Justice Courts. The Court may also create a list of qualified applicants from which vacancies may be filled without additional announcement or recruitment.
Applications will be screened and selected candidates will be interviewed by a special Court Nominating Committee and referred to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court. The Presiding Judge will make the final appointment(s).
Application Procedure and Timetable:
Applicants who have previously applied will need to re-apply to receive consideration.
Applicants may obtain the application form and instructions by going to http://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/jobs.
All applicants must deliver the original (see application instructions) of the completed application to Judicial Branch Human Resources, 101 West Jefferson, East Court Building, 3rd Floor, Suite B, Phoenix, Arizona 85003 no later than 3:00 PM on Friday, January 25, 2019. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. For additional information call Valerie Quintana at 602-506-0075. Applicants are encouraged to deliver applications and references as early as possible.
The Court may publish the names of applicants for the position of Commissioner to solicit public comment.
Qualifications: A candidate for this position must be a United States citizen, a duly licensed member of the State Bar of Arizona, and a resident of the State of Arizona, for a period of not less than five years immediately preceding his or her appointment. Applicants need not be a resident at the time of their application, however, under A.R.S. 12-211 (B) must be a resident of Maricopa County when appointed. Achievement or distinction in various areas of the law and litigation consistent with the duties of this Commissioner position is desirable.
Commissioners serve from time to time as judges pro tempore in the course of their regular duties. The Arizona Constitution, Article VI, §22 requires that judicial nominees must be at least 30 years of age, of good moral character, and admitted to the practice of law in and a resident of the State for five years immediately preceding appointment.
Note: Commissioners are required to file an annual financial disclosure statement.
For job announcement, click here. For recruitment flyer, click here.
Job Opportunity – SW Staff Attorney
Michigan Indian Legal Services
POSITION: Michigan Indian Legal Services (MILS) has an opening for a staff attorney to work out of tribal offices in southwest Michigan.
DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM: MILS, is a statewide provider of free legal services to low income Indians and Indian tribes. MILS represents Indian individuals, families, tribes and organizations in cases that span a range of tribal and federal Indian law cases.
QUALIFICATIONS: The ideal applicant will be licensed to practice law in Michigan or eligible to be admitted by waiver and have three to five years relevant experience. Applicants must possess both written and oral advocacy skills as well as a demonstrated commitment to protecting the rights of American Indians. MILS will accept applications from candidates with all levels of experience.
BENEFITS: This is a full time position for an initial term of at least one year, with a salary from $44,000 to $55,000 depending on experience. MILS offers a generous health benefit and vacation/sick leave package.
MILS is an equal opportunity employer and encourages minorities, women and persons with disabilities to apply.
Application Information
Application Method(s)
- Application Email: cfraser@mils3.org
- Apply via Mail to: 814 S. Garfield Avenue, Ste. A Traverse City, MI 49686
Thank You from the ILP 2018
The ILP was able to exceed our goal of 118 donors, raising over $30,000 in donations, through the Pitchfunder campaign for our 30th anniversary. In our new era of self-sufficiency, your donations are more important than ever. The ILP hopes to continue to expand program opportunities for our amazing students through your generous donations and provide scholarships and accessibility to many more students to come.
To the friends of the ILP, this video comes from all of ILP’s students, staff and faculty as a huge thank you for always supporting our program! The people shown are only a handful of the students and faculty that your donations will benefit.
We’d also like to wish our ILP family happy holidays and happy new year! If you’re still in the spirit of giving, it’s not too late to donate to the ILP before 2018 ends. Donate here. Thank you for your contribution!
Job Opportunities – Havasupai Tribe
Havasupai Tribe
Chief Judge
Closing Date: Open until filled
Position Summary: The Tribal Chief Judge presides over a broad range of civil and criminal cases for the Havasupai Tribal Court. This position would require an individual to review a broad range of civil and criminal matters, and render decisions under Havasupai laws. The Tribal Chief Judge must have the ability to remain unbiased and ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice in the Havasupai Courts.
To download full job description, click here.
General Counsel
Flagstaff, Arizona
Closing Date: January 11, 2019
Position Summary: The General Counsel is the principal legal counsel of the Havasupai Tribe and reports directly to the Havasupai Tribal Council. The General Counsel provides professional legal counsel and representation to the Havasupai Tribal government as indicated by the Tribal Council. The General Counsel works closely and independently with the Tribal Council and the Tribal Government staff. Finally, the General Counsel assists the Tribal Council in managing the work of the Tribe’s outside legal counsel.
The Havasupai Tribe is establishing a remote office in Flagstaff, Arizona for professional staff.
To download full job description, click here.
Job Opportunity – Attorney General
Tohono O’Odham Nation
Attorney General
Sells, AZ
Closing Date: February 1, 2019
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)
To download full job description, click here.
Job Opportunity – Positions at National Council of Urban Indian Health
National Council of Urban Indian Health
Washington, D.C.
The National Council of Urban Indian Health was founded in 1998 to represent the interests of Urban Indian Health Programs (UIHPs) before Congress and Federal agencies, and to influence policies impacting the health conditions experienced by urban American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN).The National Council of Urban Indian Health is a 501(c)(3), membership-based organization devoted to support the development of quality, accessible, and culturally sensitive health care programs for AI/AN living in urban communities. NCUIH fulfills its mission by serving as a resource center providing advocacy, education, training, and leadership for urban Indian health care providers. NCUIH strives for healthy American Indians and Alaska Natives living in urban settings, which comprise over 70% of the AI/AN population, supported by quality, accessible health care centers and governed by leaders in the Indian community. NCUIH represents urban Indian Health Programs receiving grants under Title V of IHCIA and the American Indian and Alaska Natives they serve.
Director of Congressional Relations
The Director of Congressional Relations will be actively engaged in the planning and preparation of NCUIH National Conferences. The Director of Congressional Relations will also heavily work with the Director of Federal Relations and the senior leadership team to ensure continuity among federal and congressional relations.
• Informs and advocates for the advancement of AI/AN health policy, budget and appropriations.
• Provides excellent political strategy based on expert knowledge of Capitol Hill and Indian Country.
• Builds, maintains and utilizes a vast network of contacts.
• Researches and prepares analyses on various legislative issues and bills, including appropriations and the budget, related to the provision of health care services to Indian country.
• Evaluates and analyzes legislation and budget issues and their impact on the provision of health care services in Indian country.
Download full job description at: Director of Congressional Relations
Congressional Relations Associate
The Congressional Relations Associate works under the supervision of the Policy department to support the development, planning and implementation of the legislative priorities of the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH).
The key feature of this position is the ability to be an effective policy analyst and advocate in the legislative arena. Effective advocacy relies on several key elements functioning in harmony.
Essential Functions:
1. Informs and advocates for the advancement of AI/AN health policy, budget and appropriations.
2. Provides excellent political strategy based on expert knowledge of Capitol Hill and Indian Country.
3. Builds, maintains and utilizes a vast network of contacts.
4. Researches and prepares analyses on various legislative issues and bills, including appropriations and the budget, related to the provision of health care services to Indian country.
Download full job description at: Congressional Relations Associate