ILC 2023-2024 Year in Review

Posted on June 5, 2024 by dwilliams

During the 2023-2024 academic year, 10 student attorneys worked nearly 3,300 hours for the Indian Legal Clinic led by Patty Ferguson-Bohnee, ILC Director and the Charles M. Brewer Professor of Trial Advocacy at ASU Law. Student attorneys collectively handled 39 cases covering a variety of areas of tribal, state and federal law. The ILC worked with clients to support voting rights, advocate for guardianships, defend against criminal charges, restore civil rights, assist with federal recognition, among other issues.

In addition to casework, ILC students develop practical analytical and trial advocacy skills through numerous class simulations. The simulations culminate in a full Tribal court civil mock trial to prepare students to become effective advocates for justice in their future careers.

Notably, the ILC welcomed Joel Edman as Democracy Director for the ILC’s Native Vote Election Protection Project. Also, the ILC welcomed Jordan Garcia (‘23) as the new ILC Fellow.

This year, the Indian Legal Clinic began an initiative led by Democracy Director Joel Edman to restore disenfranchised individuals’ civil rights, including the right to vote. In Fall 2023, ILC partnered with the Phoenix Indian Center and the Hopi Tribe to host Rights Restoration Workshops to offer free legal assistance with restoring civil rights after a felony conviction. In November, Student attorneys Maryam Gary Nez (’24), Clayton Kinsey (’24) and Natalia Sells (’24) traveled with Director Patty Ferguson-Bohnee and Democracy Director Joel Edman to Kykotsmovi Village, Arizona on the Hopi Reservation to meet with the Hopi Chairman, Timothy Nuvangyaoma, and other tribal members to present information on rights restoration. During the workshops, student attorneys – notably Sophie Staires (’24) – presented information on the rights restoration process for single and multiple felonies, marijuana expungement and the set aside process.

ILC students frequently made appearances in tribal and state courts in fall and spring semesters. Alexandra Trousdale (’24), Maryam Salazar (’24), Clayton Kinsey (‘24), Natalia Sells (’24), Keely Driscoll (3L), Chelsi Tsosie (’24), Samir Grover (’24) all defended clients in Ak-Chin Indian Community Tribal Court. Staires nearly appeared in Traffic Court on behalf of the Gila River Indian Community, however, she supported prosecutorial discretion. Trousdale also had success restoring several clients’ civil rights and obtaining guardianship for a client in Arizona courts.

In February 2024, Grover and Kinsey traveled with Professor Ferguson-Bohnee to Louisiana to meet and update clients on their cases in-person.

More on the Indian Legal Clinic's work in the community:

+ Arizona Native Election Protection Project recap

+ Wills & Probate recap

Annual Celebration

Posted on April 12, 2024 by dwilliams

The Federal Bar Association Indian Law Conference provides a distinctive opportunity for legal practitioners and advocates to convene and engage in comprehensive discussions concerning the future of Indian Country. It’s also a moment when we gather to recognize and honor Indigenous achievements.

The ILP community met at Sandia Resort for its 23rd annual Alumni & Friends Awards Ceremony & Reception. The evening was brimming with heartfelt messages and inspiring success stories as attendees celebrated this year’s award recipients. Brian Garcia (’20) was honored with the Alumni Service Award and Krystalyn Kinsel (’15) received the Emerging Leader Award. The reception also provided an opportunity for past participants of the Native American Pathway to Law program to connect and explore new opportunities.

At this year’s Federal Bar Association Indian Law Conference, three members of the ILP family delivered insightful presentations. Matthew Campbell (’08) spoke on a panel “Protecting Sacred Places– Shortcomings and Available Tools;” Rebecca Ross (’10) addressed “Case Law Developments in Tribal Nations’ Ability to Protect Their Interests Through Sovereign Immunity;” and Michael-Corey Hinton (’11) delved into “Representation Matters: Ethical Considerations in Representing Your Tribe.”

The National Native American Bar Association (NNABA) also held its annual meeting, followed by the Justice is Medicine Celebration and Awards Dinner. The first part of the meeting included a Voting Rights Summit coordinated by Blair Tarman-Toner (’21) and Torey Dolan (’19). During the summit, ILC Director Patty Ferguson-Bohnee presented on the Arizona Native Vote Election Protection administered by the ILC. Ferguson-Bohnee, Campbell, Garcia and Professor Paul Spruhan presented on a panel “Preparing for 2024 Native Voting Rights Summit.” During the afternoon portion of the meeting, the Honorable Diane Humetewa (’93) spoke on “Pathways to the Federal Bench.” During the reception, Kate Rosier , assistant dean of community engagement at ASU Law and executive director of ILP, was honored with the inaugural Community Keeper Award.

It was a pleasure to reunite with everyone and celebrate our mighty Indian Law community, which is filled with remarkable advocates who are committed to public service, advancing opportunities for Indigenous law students and strengthening Native American representation in the legal field.

Legal Futures

Posted on March 30, 2024 by dwilliams

On March 28, Patty Ferguson-Bohnee and Kate Rosier traveled to Tuba City, Arizona on the Navajo Nation to present “Legal Futures – the Impact to You” to Tuba City High School students. They were joined by Kris Beecher (’20), deputy chief of staff for the Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President, and Verrin Kewenvoyouma (’04), majority owner and managing partner of Kewenvoyouma Law, PLLC.

Ferguson-Bohnee serves as a member of the Arizona Supreme Court Commission on Diversity, Equality and Justice. This event was held in coordination with the Arizona Supreme Court Commission on Diversity, Equality, and Justice.

Tribal Justice

Posted on March 22, 2024 by dwilliams

ASU Native American Law Students Association and Law Journal for Social Justice joined forces to host a symposium on March 15. The Symposium of Tribal Justice informed the audience on Federal Indian law and Tribal Law and how Tribal Nations form and regulate their justice systems in alignment with both cultural values and protecting their communities.

Natalia Sells, a third-year law student, helped organize the event and explains the difference between Federal Indian law and Tribal law: Federal Indian law is the federal government constraining or relaxing the constrictions they have placed on a tribe’s inherent sovereign authority, whereas tribal law is the tribe exercising their inherent authority. Tribal law is important because it’s the tribe exercising their sovereignty and power for the benefit and protection of their people and could be aligned with cultural values.

Derrick Beetso (’10), professor of practice and director of Indian Gaming and Tribal Self-Governance programs, presented on Jurisdiction in Indian Country, and Alfred Urbina, attorney general for the Pascua Yaqui Nation, presented on the Tribal Law and Order Act (TLOA) and the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Presenters on the Tribal Judges panel included April Olson (’06), chief judge for Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation, appellate judge for Hualapai Nation and appellate judge for Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and Honorable Anthony Hill (’06), chief judge of the Gila River Indian Community Court.

“What I loved best was all the speakers are Indigenous attorneys working towards the mission of strengthening tribes,” said Sells. “The presenters are truly our role models about the good work our law degrees can accomplish in Indian Country. I had never considered it before until I had the opportunity to work for a tribal court and upon meeting Judge Hill. Judge Hill always spoke highly about the role a tribal court judge had in the community, especially when one is from the community. I see serving as a tribal court judge as a great way to help one’s community in providing a stable judicial system that upholds tribal law that was enacted with the people and culture in mind.”

We appreciate ASU NALSA, LJSJ and the Academy for Justice for organizing a great event!

Job opportunity: Civil litigation associate

Posted on March 19, 2024 by dwilliams

Galanda Broadman, PLLC, an Indigenous rights firm with seven lawyers and offices in
Seattle and Yakima, Washington, and Bend, Oregon, seeks to add an experienced civil
litigation associate who is also interested in practicing tribal law.

Galanda Broadman is an Indigenous owned firm dedicated to advancing tribal and tribal citizen legal rights and tribal business interests. The firm represents tribal governments, businesses, and citizens in critical litigation, business and regulatory matters, especially inthe areas of Treaty rights, tribal sovereignty, land rights, cultural property protection, taxation, commerce, gaming, serious/catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, disenrollment defense, and Indigenous human/civil rights.

The firm seeks a lawyer who are deeply committed to representing Indigenous interests, who is state bar licensed in Washington state or Oregon; and who has civil litigation or a judicial clerk experience. The lawyer would help bring federal Section 1983 civil rights claims against local governments, federal claims for tribal governments, as well as serve tribal governments as general outside counsel.

We prefer applicants with at least three years of experience but exceptions can be made for exceptional candidates. Proven motion and civil rules practice, if not trial, experience, and the ability to self-direct are critical. Impeccable writing and research skills; critical and audacious thinking; strong oral advocacy; tremendous work ethic; tenacity; and sound ethics are required.

Salary DOE.

Qualified applicants should submit a cover letter tailored to this announcement, as well as:

Résumé
Writing sample’
Transcript
List of at least three educational or professional references

Send to Alice Hall, the firm’s Office Manager: alice@galandabroadman.com

Applications directed elsewhere will not be considered.

For more information about Galanda Broadman, visit galandabroadman.com.

Job opportunity: Tribal Policy Manager

Posted on March 19, 2024 by dwilliams

Washington State Office of the Attorney General

The Attorney General’s Office is recruiting for an exempt full time Tribal Policy Manager in the Policy Unit. This position may be located in Seattle or Olympia, Washington, and is not union-represented

Exempt Salary Range: $90,000 – $101,581.

This position will remain open until filled, with an anticipated first review of application in mid-March, 2025. It is in the applicants’ best interest to submit applications as early as possible. This posting may be closed at any time without warning.

Required Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in public policy, law, political science, criminal justice, government, economics, or related field.

Seven or more years of relevant work experience.

Skills & Abilities
The most competitive applicants will possess the following qualifications:

Tribal policy experience
Excellent, persuasive writing skills
Archival research experience
Trauma-informed approaches to community engagement
Racial equity analysis experience
Experience developing and executing community engagement plans for historically excluded communities

Review full job description: 02652 Emmett Till Sr. Policy Mgr #2897

Submit your application, including a current resume and letter of interest at:

Emmett Till Tribal Policy Analyst

Or via email to Judith.Vandergeest@atg.wa.gov

ASU Law students sworn into local Tribal Court

Posted on March 18, 2024 by dwilliams

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.

“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.”

“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.

Job opportunity: Gaming attorney

Posted on March 14, 2024 by dwilliams

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)

Job opportunity: Equal Justice Works Fellowship

Posted on February 28, 2024 by dwilliams

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

Posted on February 28, 2024 by dwilliams

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.

Indian Legal Program

Category Archives: Alumni