Category Archives: Alumni

Appellate Advocacy class

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On May 8, the Appellate Advocacy class visited the Arizona Court of Appeals and the chambers of Judge David Gass (JD ’94). Students had the opportunity to speak with Judge Gass and Judge Andrew Jacobs about the law, their future aspirations, and working in the judiciary. While in Appellate Advocacy, the students had the opportunity to practice their oral arguments before Judge Gass. Judge Gass provided feedback to students based on his experiences on the bench and from having presided over many appellate oral arguments.

ASU Law students enrolled in the Appellate Advocacy class develop oral and written advocacy skills with the short-term goal of participating in the National Native American Law Students Association Moot Court Competition. The long-term goal is to familiarize students with appellate advocacy through the stages of legal research, writing, and oral argument with emphasis on appellate advocacy for Tribal clients on Federal Indian law or Tribal law issues.

This year’s class included Chad Edwards (2L), Ashleigh Fixicio (3L), Noah Goldenberg (3L), Samir Grover (2L), Clayton Kinsey (2L), Ryan Maxey (3L), Autumn Shone (3L) and Chanel Simon (3L).

Thank you to Judge Gass and Judge Jacobs for taking the time to work with our students, teach them about the Arizona court of Appeals, and show them around the court. 

2023 Native Vote recap

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The Arizona Native Vote Election Protection Project (the Project), as part of its work with ASU Law’s Indian Legal Clinic (ILC), focused on preparing for the 2022 midterm elections. ILC Director and Clinical Professor of Law Patty Ferguson-Bohnee and Native Vote Fellows Torey Dolan (’19), Blair Tarman-Toner (’21) and student attorneys worked on several issues: legislative tracking, community outreach, revisions to the Elections Procedures Manual, litigation and election protection.

Outreach

The ILC coordinated with Tribes, counties and voting rights organizations leading up to the 2022 elections. The Inter Tribal Council of Arizona (ITCA) hosted monthly strategy sessions bringing together these stakeholders to talk about ongoing democracy issues in Arizona. The Project regularly presented at these meetings on issues of proposed legislation, litigation, election results and data on voter engagement and access in Arizona Tribal communities.

Fellows Tarman-Toner and Dolan were active participants in other community coalitions including the Arizona Voting Rights Coalition, the Native American Voting Rights Coalition, the Arizona Election Advocacy Group, and Election Protection Arizona.

In March 2023, Ferguson-Bohnee was appointed by Governor Katie Hobbs to serve on the Governor’s Bipartisan Elections Task Force. The task force was created pursuant to Executive Order 2023-03 with the task of studying and making recommendations to strengthen election laws, policies, and procedures in the state of Arizona.

On April 17, Ferguson-Bohnee presented at the Federal Bar Association’s Indian Law Conference on the state of Native American Voting Rights. Ferguson-Bohnee spoke about the recent legislation passed in Arizona impacting voting rights, ongoing litigation and the Arizona Native Vote Election Protection Project’s 2022 program.

Litigation

ILC Director Patty Ferguson-Bohnee, Dolan, and Tarman-Toner responded to reports of a polling location in rural Pinal County that opened nearly four hours late on Election Day during the primaries. The ILC, along with the Lawyers’ Committee, filed a complaint and application for temporary restraining order on behalf of the Arizona Democracy Resource Center and Rural Arizona Engagement. The complaint sought declaratory and injunctive relief requesting that Pinal County extend the hours of operation in light of the delayed opening. Despite acknowledging the violation of law by failing to open for four hours thereby denying equal voting time for the voters in that precinct, the County failed to act. While the Court recognized that the harm was not de minimis, the Court failed to grant any relief. During the General Election, Arizona Native Vote Election Protection volunteers reported polling locations in Apache County that failed to open on time on Election Day. The ILC worked with the ACLU and Navajo Nation to file a complaint and application for temporary restraining order on behalf of the Navajo Nation, and the Court extended the time for the polling locations in Apache County to remain open. 

Midterm Election

The Arizona Native Vote Election Protection Project – Ferguson-Bohnee, Dolan, Tarman-Toner and ILC student attorneys Chad Edwards (3L), Brittany Habbart (3L), Michael LaValley (3L), Mallory Moore (3L), and Ruben Zendejas (3L), Autumn Shone (3L) and its partners – operated its Native Vote Election Protection Hotline throughout the early voting period and on Election Day during the 2022 Primary and General elections. In addition to operating the hotline for the General Election, the Project had 66 Election Protection Volunteers stationed at multiple polling locations across 9 Tribal communities. Review more in the ILP blog post: Your vote, your voice.

ILC student attorneys Moore and Shone led and conducted two training sessions for volunteers. After completing her final semester, Moore enjoyed working with the Project. “It was honestly one of the most difficult, time consuming, and rewarding things I have done in law school,” said she said. “I am so grateful to have had this opportunity because I feel like it was a great way to learn and grow as a person.”

“Thank you to Torey Dolan and Blair Tarman-Toner for answering every silly question I had about Native Vote and NNALSA Moot Court,” said Shone. 

2023 Elections Procedures Manual

The Arizona Native Vote Election Protection Project joined its voting partners to prepare comments, analysis and recommendations to the Secretary of State’s office on the proposed Election Procedures Manual (EPM). The EPM is a comprehensive source of law on the administration of state and federal elections in Arizona. The Project commented on the 2021 proposed EPM drafted by then Secretary of State Katie Hobbs and is similarly preparing comments for now Secretary of State Adrian Fontes.

Planning for 2024

During the Spring 2023 Semester, the ILC, including Student Attorney Kristina Major (2L) began to focus on planning for the 2024 Election Cycle.  The Clinic will continue to work with its partners throughout the summer to plan for the next election cycle. 

Legal Futures at the Navajo Nation Tuba City Court

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Indian Legal Clinic Director Patty Ferguson-Bohnee serves as a member of the Arizona Supreme Court Commission on Diversity, Equality and Justice. For the past few years, the Committee has hosted Legal Futures for high school students with an interest in the law to provide an opportunity for young students to interact with judges, attorneys, and other legal professionals and learn about the legal profession and pathways to the bench.

This year, it was the first collaboration between the Arizona Supreme Court and a Tribal Nation’s Court to host a “Legal Futures: Setting the Stage for Your Legal Career” in Indian Country. Ferguson-Bohnee with ILP alumni — Michael Bennett (’16), attorney for the Navajo Nation, Kris Beecher (’20), attorney at Dickinson Wright PLLC, Verrin Kewenvoyouma (’04), majority owner and managing partner of Kewenvoyouma Law, PLLC, — traveled to the Navajo Nation and shared their journey to law. Students learned that about different areas of law: government workers to court staff, private business to law firms, and quasi to utilities, water and universities.

From the American Bar Association, 2022

Native Americans are underrepresented within the law but the most affected by the law. Learning opportunities like these events empower, expose and engage Native American high school students. Young adults, whose minds are at a developmental stage in their life, can learn from current Native American professionals, who are also every day relatives and grew up on tribal lands.

Collaborations like these are important and we look forward to hosting more events. We extend our appreciation to the Navajo Nation District Court in Tuba City. Thank you to our awesome ILP alumni crew – Verrin, Kris, and Michael – for spending time with the students. 

Job Opportunity: Civil Rights Attorney

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The Albuquerque, NM office of Rothstein Donatelli LLP is seeking an associate attorney for its civil rights practice group. The Firm is looking for a New Mexico licensed attorney with at least 2 years or more of litigation experience. The candidate should possess a demonstrated commitment to the welfare of individual clients and maintain the highest quality of legal practice, especially legal research and writing skills. The ideal candidate will have experience litigating civil rights cases and/or representing survivors of sexual abuse. The associate must be skilled in managing complex litigation and providing staff direction.

Rothstein Donatelli has offices in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico, as well as in Tempe, Arizona. The Rothstein Donatelli LLP practice areas include civil rights and discrimination law, representation of survivors of sexual abuse, criminal defense, complex civil litigation, appeals and post-conviction work, and Indian law. Rothstein Donatelli is committed to social justice and vigorously protecting the rights of its clients.

Rothstein Donatelli LLP provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, sex or gender identity, results of genetic testing, or service in the military. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training. The Firm expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment or discrimination based on any of the characteristics mentioned above. Improper interference with the ability of other employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated. The Firm is committed to achieving a diverse workforce and an inclusive environment.

Interested candidates should send a resume, references, and writing sample to Manya Snyder at info@rothsteinlaw.com.

Job Opportunities

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DOJ Indian Country Assistant US Attorney

  • Tulsa, OK – Application Deadline: May 24, 2023 for priority consideration

FCC Office of Native Affairs – Attorney

FCC Office of Native Affairs – Policy Advisor

DOJ Office on Violence Against Women Tribal Consultation

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) – Impact Report

Job Opportunity: Senior Attorney

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Navajo Nation
Office of Navajo Public Defender
Tuba City, AZ

Closing date: Open until filled

Position no: 243284

Duties and responsibilities: Represents clients, adults and juveniles, in criminal and delinquency proceedings in and out of court. Reviews all court and discovery
documents. Interviews clients; provides information on potential outcomes, defenses, potential consequences, federal prosecution; sentence(s) if convicted; deferred prosecution programs, peacemaking, etc. Develop theory of case and prepare pre-trial motions, responses; replies for trial preparation. Interview and/or depose witnesses. Communicate with prosecutor, probation, service providers. Assist client with referrals, appointments for evaluation, etc. Provide guidance and assistance to court advocates as needed. Prepare, file and complete appeals or Writs to Navajo Supreme Court when necessary. Position requires travel to district and family courts throughout the Navajo Nation.

Minimum Qualifications: 

  • A Juris Doctorate; and four (4) years professional experience as a state licensed attorney. Current
    admission in any state bar with the intention of seeking and securing admission to the Navajo
    Nation Bar Association and either the Arizona, New Mexico or Utah State Bar within one (1) year of
    date of hire.

See full job description: Senior Attorney – Tuba City, AZ

More information: Job vacancy announcement

Job Opportunity: Attorney

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Navajo Nation
Office of Navajo Public Defender
Window Rock, AZ

Closing date: Open until filled

Position no: 244832

Duties and responsibilities: Represents clients, adults and juveniles, in criminal and delinquency proceedings in and out of court. Reviews all court and discovery documents. Interviews clients; provides information on potential outcomes, defenses, potential consequences, federal prosecution; sentence(s) if convicted; deferred prosecution programs, peacemaking, etc. Develop theory of case and prepare pretrial motions, responses; replies for trial preparation. Interview and/or depose witnesses. Communicate with prosecutor, probation, service providers. Assist client with referrals, appointments for evaluation, etc. Provide guidance and assistance to court advocates as needed. Prepare, file and complete appeals or Writs to Navajo Supreme Court when necessary. Position requires travel to district and family courts throughout the Navajo Nation.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Juris Doctorate.
  • Current Admission in any state bar with the intention of seeking and securing admission to the Navajo Nation Bar Association and
    either the Arizona, New Mexico or Utah State Bar within one(1) year of date of hire.

See full job description: Attorney

More information: Job vacancy announcement

We rise by lifting others

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On April 4, two ILP alumni were honored in the Native American 40 Under 40 awards. Congratulations to Krystalyn Kinsel (’15) and Alexander Mallory (’19)! The Native American 40 Under 40 awards represent the best and brightest emerging Indian Country leaders who serve in a variety of fields.

ILP directors and alumni traveled to Las Vegas to celebrate this amazing recognition.

We’re so proud of you both!

Spark Indigenous Joy

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The Federal Bar Association Indian Law conference is a unique time when law practitioners and advocates come together and have an in-depth discussions about the future of Indian Country. It is also a time when organizations that serve the same purpose gather to acknowledge and celebrate Indigenous excellence.

ASU Law’s ILP family met at Sandia Resort for its 23rd annual Alumni & Friends Awards Ceremony and Reception. It was a night full of heartfelt messages and success stories to celebrate this year’s award recipients. Rebecca Ross (’10) received the Alumni Service Award and Stephanie Sfiridis (’16) received the Emerging Leader Award.

Six ILP family presented at this year’s Federal Bar Association Indian Law Conference. On day 1, Faculty Associate Paul Spruhan presented on a panel “Protection of Tribal Sovereignty and Self-Determination Before the U.S. Supreme Court,” ILC Director Patty Ferguson-Bohnee and Liz La quen náay Medicine Crow (’05) presented on “Access to the Ballot Box: Protecting Native American Voting Rights.” On day 2, Jacqueline Bisille (’14) and Rani Williams (’18) presented on “Efforts to Address the Intergenerational Impacts of Federal Indian Boarding School Policies,”Sfiridis presented on a panel “Improving the Land into Trust Process and Best Practices for Tribal Realty and Land Use” and Linda Benally (’03) joined colleagues for a discussion about bias and improvement to support Native American women attorneys during the final presentation “Ethics Panel-Elimination of Bias.”

The National Native American Bar Association (NNABA) also held its annual meeting followed by its 50th Anniversary Celebration with ILP alumni serving on the board: Native Vote Fellow Torey Dolan (’19) as director and Sarah Crawford (’19) as secretary. Native Vote Fellow Blair Tarman-Toner (20’) is NNABA’s newly elected Young Lawyer Representative to the American Bar Association. 

Eight ILP students received the NNABA bar scholarship. Congratulations rising grads: Chad Edwards, Ashleigh Fixico, Brittany Habbart, Michael LaValley, Lena Neuner, Ravynn Nothstine, Autumn Shone and Chanel Simon.

Native American legal warriors and trailblazers shared their wisdom from the early days of Indian Law, inclusion disparity and the need to “uplift our law practice,” as said by Thomas Fredericks, first NNABA president. ILC Director Patty Ferguson-Bohnee , Linda Benally (’03) and Diandra Benally (’05) were recognized as past presidents of NNABA. The Honorable Diane Humetewa (’93) is one of the most recognizable faces in Indian Country for being the first Native American woman to sit on the federal bench. During her special address, Judge Humetewa reflected on her historic appointment and how she felt witnessing the confirmation of two Native American women to the federal bench: Judge Lauren King’s appointment in 2021 as Washington’s first Native American federal judge and Judge Sunshine Suzanne Sykes’ appointment in 2022 as California’s first Native American federal judge. 

“I know that Judge King and Judge Sykes are deeply committed to advancing opportunities for Indigenous law students and lawyers, and they each bring a meaningful voice to their respective district courts on which they sit. And I know through us, we hope that you see that pathways to judicial positions are actually possible.” 

Our Indian Law community is filled with extraordinary advocates who walk with a special vision and purpose, a responsibility that our ancestors tasked us with. We enjoyed seeing everyone and we look forward to elevating the successes of Native American representation in the law.