Category Archives: Information

NABA-AZ – Ann Marie Downes – March 2014 Member Profile

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NABA-AZ is excited to present Ann Marie Bledsoe Downes as the March 2014 Member Profile.  Read below to learn more about this wonderful person. NABA-AZ is grateful she is a member of our organization.

Ann Marie Bledsoe Downes currently serves as the Interim Executive Director of the Indian Law Program at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at ASU. She recently completed a short term appointment as the Interim President of Little Priest Tribal College and has served in various administrative roles at the Indian Legal Program. Ann Marie has taught courses in Advanced Legal Research and Writing in Indian Law and co-teaches Contemporary Issues in Tribal Economic Development. Prior to joining the Indian Legal Program, she served as the Policy Advisor for Tribal Affairs to former Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano.  Ann Marie previously served as president of Little Priest Tribal College located in Winnebago, NE. As President, she was responsible for the day-to-day administration and program implementation at Little Priest Tribal College and assisted the college in attaining 10 years of continued accreditation. During her tenure as President she was also a member of the White House Initiative on Tribal Colleges and Universities.  In the early 1990’s she served as a Gaming Commissioner on the Hoopa Valley Tribal Gaming Commission and then for her own tribe’s gaming commission for a short time in 2000.  She is a member of the Little Priest Tribal College Board of Trustees and as a member of the Board of Directors for the tribal corporation, Ho-Chunk, Inc. She is an enrolled member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.

Q&A

1.        Are you a native Arizonan? If not, where are you from? If so, have you spent a significant amount of time living somewhere else different from this state?

I am originally from Nebraska.  I grew up on the Winnebago reservation in northeast Nebraska and lived there until I left to attend law school at ASU. I have lived in both northern and southern California but have spent most of my life in either Nebraska or Arizona.

2.        How did you decide to become a lawyer? Did you always want to practice Indian law and/or work for a tribe? Why or why not?

I knew I wanted to be a lawyer at a very young age.  My tribe had been fighting to have a new IHS hospital built in our community for a number of years and every so often our tribal leadership would come to the public school on the reservation to encourage us to stay in school and get an education. They would regularly mention our fight for this hospital and would emphasize the fact we had treaty rights and sovereignty. I knew that these words, these concepts, had a meaning beyond what even my tribal leadership was expressing. I knew in order to learn more about these legal principles and to be an advocate like my leaders, I had to go to law school.  I never thought I would practice law. I was just looking for answers. My undergraduate degree is in 7-12 Social Sciences education so I thought I would be a social studies teacher and spend the rest of my time helping to fight to get resources to our community and to change the way people thought about my tribe. I’ll never forget the first week of my position as President of Little Priest. About my third day on the job I received a card from the tribal council inviting me to the groundbreaking for our new hospital.  It was a decades old fight, but we had finally won. 

3.        To date, what do you think is your most notable accomplishment – either legal or personal?

I am extremely proud of the work I did at Little Priest Tribal College. We completed an accreditation visit during my last year there and were awarded continuing accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission. This work is a total team effort but I was a young professional with a very steep learning curve. To accomplish continued accreditation for my tribe’s Tribal College will forever be a highlight of my professional career.  In my personal life I am very proud of my family. My husband and I have worked very hard to create a marriage that is a partnership. My kids are successful and happy and I hope they see our marriage as a good model to emulate in their future relationships.

4.        Is there anything in your career that you have not yet accomplished that you have set as a goal for yourself? If so, what is that? If not, do you plan to retire at some point or try another career?

This is the toughest question for me. I’ve been fortunate enough to achieve so much of what I set out to do. I work in Indian legal education, I get to teach, support students as they pursue their goals, work for my community by being on various boards and my family supports me and keeps me balanced. (Well, for the most part. Any working mom knows it is easier said than done!) So, I feel like new goals are a bit greedy. With that said, I do miss being in the classroom and hope I get opportunity to teach again soon. As a long term goal, I have recently considered going back to Nebraska someday and either working for our tribal economic development corporation or even running for our tribal council. 

5.        Why did you join NABA-AZ? What would you like to see the organization do or accomplish in the near and/or distant future?

I remember when the organization was first started and I was excited to see how it would grow. The website still has elements of those early days when my colleague and friend, Kate Rosier helped to develop the initial webpage. I think the organization has had tremendous growth in such a short time. There is an active and committed group of people who have really allowed the organization to make huge impact with limited resources.  In the long term, I think we want to be the organization that students and lawyers think of first when they are looking for a resource to help them connect with other lawyers in the field. Our activities should raise the visibility of Indian law and tribal law both locally and nationally, as well as highlight the number of great lawyers in Arizona who practice in that area.

6.        Do you have any advice for new lawyers? If so, what is it?

Find a good mentor and be patient. The role you are to play as a lawyer doesn’t always reveal itself the first, second or even third year out of law school.  Find someone who will help guide you both personally and professionally. Use your law degree to do good. 

 

Ferguson-Bohnee receives national appointments from Lawyers’ Committee, ABA

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Patty Ferguson-Bohnee

Professor Patty Ferguson-Bohnee, Faculty Director of the Indian Legal Program, was recentlyappointed National Commissioner for the Commission on Voting Rights by the organization Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights under the Law.

According to the Lawyers’ Committee, the Voting Rights Commission is dedicated to the struggle to achieve equality and protect advances in voting rights for racial and ethnic minorities and other traditionally disenfranchised groups.

Ferguson-Bohnee was also recently appointed by the American Bar Association (ABA) to the Coalition on Racial and Ethnic Justice and named Vice Chair of the ABA’s Committee on Native American Concerns of the Individual Rights and Responsibilities Section.

Ferguson-Bohnee has substantial experience in Indian law, election law and policy matters, voting rights, and status clarification of tribes. She has testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and has represented tribal clients in administrative state, federal, and tribal courts, as well as before state and local governing bodies.

 

Reminder – ILP conference Sustaining the Reservation: Creating the Tribal Economies is this Thursday and Friday.

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Come hear our keynote speakers Kevin Washburn and Diane Enos!Reminder: Last day to register online at the regular rate is Tuesday 2/25 at 5pm…Regular Rate: $325.00
Walk-In Rate: $400.00 (day of conference by cash, check, or credit card)
Click here for more info and to register! http://conferences.asucollegeoflaw.com/tribaleconomies/

Judicial nominating commissions

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The State Bar Appointments Committee is currently accepting applications from active members in good standing to fill the following upcoming vacancies on several judicial nominating commissions. Application forms are due at the State Bar office by Friday, January 31, 2014, and can be obtained by calling Nina Benham in the State Bar’s Phoenix office at 602.340.7329. An application form can also be downloaded from the Bar’s website – www.azbar.org ( click on: For Lawyers/Sections and Committees/Committees/Appointments).

 

Arizona’s Constitution (Article 6) provides for diversity on the judicial nominating commissions.  The Appointments Committee and the Board of Governors consider all aspects of diversity in their recommendations and appointments.  Diverse individuals are encouraged to apply for these positions. 

For more information and candidate criteria/qualifications, please click on the link below.

This is a great opportunity to advance judicial diversity in Arizona.  Feel free to pass this information along to members of your organizations and other qualified individuals.

http://www.azbar.org/sectionsandcommittees/committees/appointments

Vacancies:

Arizona Commission on Appellate Court Appointments
Maricopa County Commission on Trial Court Appointments
Pima County Commission on Trial Court Appointments

Congrats to ILP’s Alum & Faculty member Diane Humetewa who has been nominated for U.S. District Court Judge

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President Obama Nominates Eight to Serve on the United States District Courts 

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama nominated Judge Cynthia Ann Bashant, Stanley Allen Bastian, Diane J. Humetewa, Justice Jon David Levy, Judge Steven Paul Logan, Judge Douglas L. Rayes, Manish S. Shah, and John Joseph Tuchi for District Court judgeships.

“These men and women have had distinguished legal careers and I am honored to ask them to continue their work as judges on the federal bench,” said President Obama. “They will serve the American people with integrity and an unwavering commitment to justice.”

The Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law is honored to have 3 SDOC alums in the 8 nominees!

See full release at:  http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/09/19/president-obama-nominates-eight-serve-united-states-district-courts

Sad News about Professor Joe Feller

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Dear Alumni and Friends:

I write with incredible sadness to inform all of you that, last evening, our friend and long-time member of our community, Professor Joe Feller, was struck and killed by a car.  I know this must come as a shock to all of you, and this is certainly a terrible loss to the College of Law.

Many of you knew Professor Feller personally; some may remember fondly class trips to the Grand Canyon with him. For those who didn’t know him well, he was an incredible teacher and advocate for environmental causes. He will be greatly missed.  In the days to come, we will make plans to honor Professor Feller’s memory and service, and we welcome any thoughts or suggestions on how you might want to see him honored.

We invite you to reach out to members of our law school community during this difficult time.

by ILP staff on behalf of
Dean Doug Sylvester

Joe Feller was a great friend, mentor and advocate for the Indian Legal Program and many ILP students over his years at the law school.  He will be greatly missed by ILP faculty, staff and alums.

Job Posting: Fredericks Peebles & Morgan LLP – ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY (Litigation)

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Position Type:      Attorney
Practice Area(s):  Indian/Native American, Litigation
Geographic Preference:  Upper Midwest (KS, NE, ND, SD)
Description:   Fredericks
Peebles & Morgan LLP is a nationwide law firm dedicated to the
representation of American Indian tribes and organizations. We represent tribes
and tribal entities in a wide spectrum of services including business
transactions, litigation and governmental affairs, in many forums, including
state, federal, and tribal courts.

We are seeking an experienced litigation attorney for our Omaha, Nebraska
office. Minimum qualifications include:

• Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA accredited law school

• Status as an active member in good standing of the bar with any state
jurisdiction

• Minimum of three to five years of federal or state litigation experience or
served as a law clerk to a federal district court judge

• Legal experience in tribal and Federal Indian law

• Excellent analytical, research and writing abilities

• Ability to work well independently and as a team in a fast paced environment

In addition to the minimum qualifications, it is strongly preferred that
applicants possess the following skills:

• Litigating or trying cases in federal or state courts or in administrative
proceedings

• Preparing pleadings and briefs, taking and defending discovery, conducting
hearings and litigating the action or proceeding through trial

• Knowledge of, and skill applying various state or Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure and Rules of Evidence

• Taking depositions and/or conducting other examinations of witnesses

• Effectively communicating with opposing counsel, co-counsel and
federal/state/tribal agency representatives

Your contributions are rewarded with a “Total Compensation” Package including a
competitive salary, bonus potential and excellent benefits.

Send your resume today with a cover letter, salary requirements, writing sample
and law school transcripts, if graduated within the last 5 years to:
Ann Hacker, Director of Human Resources
ahacker@ndnlaw.com
3610 N 163rd Plaza
Omaha, NE 68116

Position is open until filled

Desired Class Level:       Alum 0-3 yrs exp, Alum 4-6 yrs exp, Alum 7+ yrs exp, LLM
Posting Date: February 20, 2013
Expiration Date:   March 8, 2013
contact:
Ann Hacker
Director of Human Resources

Home office: 3610 North 163rd Plaza Omaha, Ne 68116 We have 10 office locations in 8 states Omaha, Nebraska 68116 United States

http://www.ndnlaw.com

Resume Receipt:   E-mail,
Other (see below)

Default email for resumes.:     ahacker@ndnlaw.com

How To Apply:     Send
your resume today with a cover letter, salary requirements, writing sample and
law school transcripts, if graduated within the last 5 years to:

Ann Hacker, Director of Human Resources

ahacker@ndnlaw.com

3610 N 163rd Plaza

Omaha, NE 68116

Additional Documents:  Cover Letter, Writing Sample, Other
Documents

Requested Document Notes:   Law school transcripts if graduated within
the last 5 years

id: 22120

 

 

 

SRPMIC seeking Pro Tempore Judges

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Judge Pro Tempore Qualifications

On 12/5/12, the new Civil and Criminal Appellate Procedure was adopted by the Community Council.

ORDINANCE NUMBER:  SRO-411-2013

TO AMEND CHAPTER 4 OF THE SALT RIVER PIMA-MARICOPA INDIAN
COMMUNITY CODE OF ORDINANCES, BY REPEALING ARTICLE III IN ITS ENTIRETY AND ADOPTING A REVISED ARTICLE III TO UPDATE THE CRIMINAL AND CIVIL RULES OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE TO ENSURE FAIRNESS AND JUST DETERMINATIONS IN THE ADMINISTRATION AND REGULATION OF APPEAL PROCEEDINGS IN THE SALT RIVER PIMA-MARICOPA
INDIAN COMMUNITY.

This Ordinance provides for an Appellate Division of the
Community Court and shall take effect on March 1, 2013.

“A panel consisting of three justices will consider and
decide the merits of any appeals, petitions, or motions.”  We have been
using Pro Tem Judges to review any appeals cases up to this point, and we do
have three Judges that we use on a regular basis.  However we are looking
for additional judges that may be willing to step in from time to time, as
needed.  This would not be a permanent full or part time position.
It would be on a Pro Tem basis only.  (We anticipate using Pro Tems until
we can get an idea of how many cases the new appellate procedure will
bring.  It may be determined at a later time that the Community may have a
need to appoint permanent Appellate Judges.)

I have attached the necessary qualifications needed to serve
as a Pro Tem Judge here at Salt River.  This could be a great opportunity
for someone who would be interested in working for the Tribal Court, but has
limited time available.  Currently, our Pro Tem judges receive $300/day
and can receive an additional $100 incentive for their finished order.

If you have any questions or would like to express
interest, please contact Senior Court Solicitor, Anthony Little at (480)
362-5415 or at Anthony.Little@srpmic-nsn.gov.

Distinguished professor and executive director hired for Indian Legal Program

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Distinguished professor and executive director hired for Indian Legal Program

01/31/2013
Robert Miller
Gregory Hill
Douglas Sylvester

The College of Law has hired Robert J. Miller, one of the nation’s leading scholars in Indian Law, and Gregory L. Hill, who will serve as Executive Director of the Indian Legal Program.

“We consider our Indian Legal Program the nation’s leading organization devoted to improving the legal systems that affect tribal governments,” said Dean Douglas Sylvester. “The addition of Bob and Greg underscores our commitment not only to providing unique opportunities and experiences to students that relate to Indian law, but also to furthering the Program’s other key objectives, including maintaining and expanding our close relationships with American Indian nations and other native governments and organizations.”

Miller will join the faculty in the fall of 2013. As a professor at Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Ore., since 1999, Miller has taught various courses, including Federal Indian Law, American Indians and International Law and Civil Procedure.

He worked at the Stoel Rives law firm from 1992-1995 and practiced Indian law with Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker from 1995-1999. An enrolled citizen of the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, Miller is Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals of the Grand Ronde Tribe and sits as a judge for other tribes.

He is the author of two books, “Native America, Discovered and Conquered: Thomas Jefferson, Lewis and Clark, and Manifest Destiny” and “Reservation Capitalism: Economic Development in Indian Country.” He is also co-author of “Discovering Indigenous Lands: The Doctrine of Discovery in the English Colonies.”

“I am very excited about joining the College of Law and its outstanding Indian Legal Program,” Miller said. “I am looking forward to working with the ASU students, faculty and staff and to enjoying many rewarding intellectual and professional experiences at the College.”

Hill, a practicing attorney for 18 years, has held various leadership positions in the legal profession since 1995. A member of the Oneida Nation, Six Nations of Indians, he most recently served as a capital attorney in the Office of the Public Defender in Tampa, Fla., where he provided legal services to indigent clients.

He is a former deputy director of Stetson University College of Law’s National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law. Additionally, Hill served as Assistant Attorney General in the state of Florida, ran a solo legal practice earlier in his career, and clerked for the general counsel of the Seneca Nation while in law school.

“I am honored to be selected to serve as the executive director of the Indian Legal Program,” Hill said. “The chance to contribute to such a distinguished program, to help our students become better prepared for the future they will encounter, and to directly support the Indian communities will create opportunities that I am eager to pursue.”

The Indian Legal Program was established in 1988 to provide legal education and generate scholarship in the area of Indian law and to undertake public service to tribal governments. It trains students to effectively engage the representation of Native peoples and seeks to promote an understanding of the differences between the legal systems of Indian nations and those of the state and federal governments. The Program is among the most renowned of its kind, and its graduates work at all levels of tribal, state and federal government, as well as in private practice. The Program provides a unique set of academic and clinical opportunities for students and is committed to maintaining strong partnerships with American Indian nations and other native governments and organizations.