Where are they now? Feat. Lena Jackson-Eckert (MLS ’08)

Posted on July 23, 2025 by dwilliams

A graduate of ASU Law’s Master of Legal Studies program, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community member Lena Jackson-Eckert now serves as assistant community manager for SRPMIC, where she oversees several key tribal government departments, including Health and Human Services.

Reflecting on her journey, Jackson-Eckert said, “I think it’s pretty cool to be able to say I went to ASU Law. I made relationships I still have today, and I see people from my cohort doing awesome work all over the country.”

Her path illustrates how the MLS can deepen existing experience, provide practical tools for leadership, and foster a community of peers committed to serving Indian Country.

After working as an advocate in the tribal prosecutor’s office, Jackson-Eckert decided to pursue the MLS to strengthen her understanding of legal systems and better support her community. She graduated in 2008 as part of the program’s inaugural cohort.

Although she entered the program with courtroom experience and a strong grasp of criminal law, Jackson-Eckert found particular value in the Indian law courses. One standout was a Native American health care law class taught by visiting professor Dr. Donald Warne, whose teachings continue to inform her work with Indian Health Services and the operation of Salt River’s tribally run health clinic.

“There are only a handful of experts in this area,” she said. Having access to that kind of knowledge was “incredibly meaningful.”

Jackson-Eckert completed her MLS while working full time, thanks to a supportive supervisor and access to education leave. She encourages prospective students—especially those working in tribal government—to pursue the MLS if they have a strong support system in place.

The degree directly contributed to her professional growth. Jackson-Eckert had long aimed to oversee multiple departments, and the position she holds today required a master’s degree. The MLS not only fulfilled that requirement, but also enhanced her ability to navigate legal systems more effectively—sharpening her skills in reading codes, understanding legal language, and working closely with tribal attorneys.

2023 Indian Gaming and Tribal Self-Governance program recap

Posted on June 5, 2023 by dwilliams

The mission of the Indian Gaming and Tribal Self-Governance programs (the Programs) at ASU Law is to equip professionals with a background in federal Indian law through meaningful learning experiences, career development and exploration. This year, 25 enrolled students actively engaged in focused curriculum in Indian Gaming, Tribal Self-Governance or Federal Indian Law or Tribal Policy, Law and Government taught by Director Derrick Beetso (’10), Professor Michael Hoenig, Professor Jay Spaan and Professor Paul Spruhan.

In August, to kick-off the academic semester, the Programs hosted the webinar “Indian Gaming in Texas: A Discussion About a Recent Supreme Court Victory.” Beetso joined attorneys Brant Martin, counsel for Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo, and Fred Petti, counsel for the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas, to discuss the recent 5-4 victory for the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo in a pivotal gaming dispute with the State of Texas before the United States Supreme Court.

In October, Beetso taught the Indian Legal Program’s (ILP) traveling class Federal Advocacy for the Tribal Client in Washington, DC. The class, held over the fall semester break, introduced 17 students to how federal Indian policy is shaped, moved, and implemented inside the Beltway. Students visited key offices and federal officials during their week in D.C., and local practitioners were gracious enough with their time and stopped by ASU’s Barrett and O’Connor Washington Center to share some practice tips. The fast-paced week ended with an amazing conversation between the students and ASU ILP alumni working in D.C.

On Oct. 22, the Programs helped support the democracy and self-governance of the Navajo Nation by moderating a presidential candidate debate in the W. P. Carey Armstrong Great Hall between the two final candidates running for President of the Navajo Nation: then-President Jonathan Nez and current President Dr. Buu Nygren. Beetso moderated the proceedings while Diné students and staff announced the questions submitted by the public. Many Navajo citizens living in the Phoenix-area attended this event and appreciated the law school’s support for Navajo democracy.

For Indian Legal Clinic Director and Associate Dean of Inclusive Excellence, Patty Ferguson-Bohnee, Beetso, and several ILP students – Clayton Kinsey (2L), Maryam Salazar (2L), Natalia Sells (2L), and Chelsi Tsosie (2L) – the holiday season was synonymous with Indian water rights. Together, the team of Sun Devils filed an amicus brief on behalf of the Diné Hataałii Association in the U.S. Supreme Court case Arizona v. Navajo Nation. This effort required lots of research and writing in a short period of time, as well as visits to the Navajo Nation to discuss the case and the brief’s approach with the Diné Hataałii Association, Inc.

Beetso co-presented with Heather Whiteman Runs Him, director of the Tribal Justice Clinic at the University of Arizona, for a water rights discussion hosted by ASU’s Native American Law Student’s Association and the American Constitution Society that provided an overview of the Supreme Court case.

While teaching Indian Gaming iCourse, Faculty Associate Michael Hoenig was appointed as the new Vice President, Associate General Counsel – Gaming for San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.

“Indian Gaming law is a rather complicated subject,” said recent online MLS graduate Edward Morris (’23). “Professor Hoenig somehow made all of this make sense. Indian Gaming II continued an exploration of the subject matter began in Indian Gaming I. Whereas Indian Gaming I was more of a survey course, in Indian Gaming II we were able to get ‘into the weeds’ of the topic. Specifics of auditing requirements and management contractual issues featured but we also delved into environmental laws and even regulatory efforts related to human trafficking. Professor Hoenig was perhaps the most professional of any of the excellent professors I’ve had at ASU. His opinions never entered the equation. This definitely was a course of law, not politics. That’s important because gambling as a topic and as an industry is very controversial, and the course could have developed in a different way.”

During the spring semester, Beetso had the opportunity to teach his first full-time courses: Indian Gaming and Indian Law and Taxation. “The opportunity to teach these classes hopefully provided more targeted education for our students in these niche areas of practice,” said Beetso. “A strong understanding of Indian gaming law and tax law and policy as applied to Indian tribes can go a long way for future attorneys working on behalf of tribal governments.”

For 2L Maryam Salazar, she liked the hands-on, practical approach to learning. The class toured the Desert Diamond Casino, an enterprise owned by the Tohono O’odham Nation in Glendale, Arizona.

“Having the opportunity to ask the gaming staff our questions, from the executive director to the machine technical staff, was really cool,” said Salazar. “I don’t think I’d get an opportunity like that outside of this class and I really took a lot away from it. Learning more about sports betting was the most interesting part of the trip for me.”

Visiting law student Morgan Gray recounts her first day of Indian Gaming class. “I recall Professor Beetso taking the time to ask me about myself, my interests, and my desire to spend a semester visiting ASU,” said Gray. “This simple gesture may not seem extraordinary to those familiar with the Indian Legal Program, but to a visiting student like me it left a lasting impact. Since then, Professor Beetso has offered me helpful advice, words of encouragement, and initiated connections with other professionals in his network currently working on projects of interest to me. While my experience is in no way unique (given that he provides each of his students such guidance and support) it is simply a testament to his commitment to help support and guide the next generation of advocates committed to serving tribal communities. I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from an advocate and educator as passionate and dedicated to serving his community as Professor Beetso.”

Paul Spruhan, ASU Law’s Faculty Associate and Assistant Attorney General for the Navajo Nation Department of Justice, published his article “Tribal Labor and Employment Law: The Evolution of the Navajo Preference in Employment Act” in the Arizona Attorney Magazine. ASU online learners enrolled in his “Civil Jurisdiction in Indian Country” class, learned about what laws and regulations apply to civil conduct within Indian country. “I obtained perspective and an appreciation for the work he does for the Navajo,” said online MLS student Randy Bouchard. “His teaching method is incredibly engaging. He is a demonstrative lecturer, which leads to humor and engagement with the class.”

With a variety of offerings each year at ASU Law, the Programs offers both online or in-person curriculum. Every week leading up to her graduation, MLS student Mariam Valenzuela joined her online classes from Barrow, Alaska.

She enjoyed both classes – Tribal Self Governance I and Tribal Self Governance II – instructed by Faculty Associate Jay Spaan, Executive Director of the Self-Governance Communication & Education Tribal Consortium. “I appreciate being taught by a Native professor about Indian topics,” said Valenzuela. “Professor Spaan is responsive, easy to understand, and knowledgeable about initiating tribal self-governance. He provides a perspective that encourages self-governance for the betterment of tribes and looks beyond agency barriers for solutions. My experience in Professor Spaans class has been valuable. The material taught in the Indian Legal Program is so relevant to tribes today that I have already applied what I have learned within my community. Quyanaq (Thank you) ILP for offering a Tribal Self Governance course!”

Finally, the spring semester marked the inaugural Yuhaaviatam of San Manual Externship Program. This paid externship program was made possible by the generous support of the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation and is intended to provide Native law students the opportunity to seek their ideal externship placements without worrying about whether they will be financially compensated by the employer. The first-year cohort included several recent graduates of the ILP: Chad Edwards, Brittany Habbart, Lena Neuner and Ravynn Nothstine. We looked forward to helping provide similar externship opportunities for our students in the near future.

This year, we recently graduated nine students representing 7 tribes: 8 MLS students and 1 LLM student. These students focused on Federal Indian Law, Indian Gaming and Sports Law and Indian Self-Governance. We are proud of our newly minted alums and congratulate them on their successes. This celebratory occasion was the perfect capstone to a great academic year.

All in all, the 2022-2023 academic year was full of productive and meaningful experiences and the Programs thanks the ASU Law community for its unwavering support.

Our year for Indian Gaming & Tribal Self-Governance Programs

Posted on May 31, 2022 by dwilliams

The Indian Gaming and Tribal Self-Governance Programs (“Programs”) at ASU Law had a successful academic year and we congratulate all the 2022 Master of Laws (LLM) and Master of Legal Studies (MLS) graduates.

In August, the Programs welcomed its current director, Derrick Beetso, a 2010 graduate of the Indian Legal Program (ILP). Beetso is a member of the Navajo Nation who previously served as general counsel for the National Congress of American Indians where he co-directed the Tribal Supreme Court Project alongside colleagues at the Native American Rights Fund, and before that he served as attorney-advisor for the Western Region of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the BIA’s San Carlos Irrigation Project. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge working in and around federal Indian law and policy and said, “the Indian Gaming and Tribal Self-Governance Programs provide practical learning opportunities for all law students, whether they seek a JD, LLM, or MLS degree, and I’m so proud to help guide how the Programs engage with and respond to Native communities in Arizona and throughout the Nation. It has been a pleasure to work with the ILP team to help realize the professional goals of such a dynamic cohort of students dedicated to improving the lives and well-being of Indian Country.”

Two faculty associates also joined ASU Law’s Indian Gaming and Tribal Self-Governance Programs: Jay Spaan, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, taught Tribal Self-Governance I and Tribal Self-Governance II, and Michael Hoenig taught Indian Gaming I and Indian Gaming II. Faculty Associates Paul Spruhan taught Civil Jurisdiction in Indian Country and Helen Burtis (’07) taught American Indian Law.

MLS student Roicia Banks enjoyed Professor Spruhan’s class. “I appreciated Professor Spruhan’s extensive knowledge of Federal Indian Law,” Banks said. “But it was more important to me that as a man married to a tribal member, Professor Spruhan was very respectful, woke, and straight forward.”

“As a member of a federally recognized tribe, I took many of the deciding court cases that shaped federal Indian law personally in that I felt it was my duty to understand the past to better understand where we are today,” Richard Picard (MLS ’22) said. “Professor Burtis ensured that all relevant Indian law topics were covered thoroughly and that they were understood as clearly and easily as possible.”

Francisco Olea (LLM ’22) worked for Professor Hoenig in 2016 during his internship with the National Indian Gaming Commission in Washington, D.C. and six years later, Olea was glad to be enrolled in his online Indian Gaming II class.

In September, in partnership with ASU Law’s Allan “Bud” Selig Sports Law and Business Program, the Programs hosted a timely webinar entitled “Betting on Arizona: the Future of Indian Gaming and Sports Betting in Arizona.” The webinar was well attended and featured key attorneys that represented Arizona Indian tribes in negotiating recent compacts and state legislation allowing Arizona’s tribes to participate in the State’s recent sports wagering operation directed by the Arizona Gaming Commission. The rollout of sports wagering in Arizona last year has brought many instances of first impression and the Programs’ students and staff are at the forefront of thinking through various issues presented and helping envision what the future holds for tribes in this area nationally. Beetso has provided regular commentary to gaming publications on recent sports wagering developments; updated the Arizona Indian Gaming Association on current legal and policy issues; and helped moderate a sports betting panel for the Federal Bar Association’s D.C. Indian Law Conference and the ILP’s Wiring the Rez conference.

In October, Beetso taught his first course, Federal Advocacy for the Tribal Client, the ILP’s traveling class at ASU’s Washington, D.C. campus during the fall semester break. The course is designed to instruct students on the basic principles behind effective advocacy before federal agencies, Congress, and the Supreme Court.

Students had the opportunity to engage with professionals, congressional staff, and administrative officials to better understand how federal Indian law and policy is shaped and implemented. While in town, the students also had time to tour the Nation’s Capitol and make professional connections with practicing attorneys during networking opportunities.

In November, the Programs had the pleasure of attending the ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly opened Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Event Center within ASU’s California Center in downtown Los Angeles at the historic Herald Examiner Building. The Programs accompanied ILP faculty, the ILP’s esteemed Salt River Scholars, law school leadership, and representatives from the office of ASU President Michael Crow to celebrate this momentous occasion and important partnership with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. The Band has donated generously to the law school’s endeavors to increase its impact in the Los Angeles area and to provide meaningful and practical education opportunities for Native students interested in furthering Indian gaming and tribal self-governance. The Programs are currently planning a community teaching event, to be held at the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Event Center this summer, which will showcase the exciting work our students are engaged in, the talent of the law school’s faculty, and the partnerships and community building efforts made possible by substantial investments from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, the Mohegan Tribe, and other important donors.

Finally, the Programs were honored to host a lunch lecture with Tribal leaders from the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas to share their unique history and the relevance of the Tribe’s bingo operation to its self-governance. The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe and its bingo operation await a decision from the Supreme Court on a case, Ysleta del Sur Pueblo v. Texas, that will have a direct impact on their self-governance.

The Tribe shared its role in the current litigation before the Court and spoke with students about their interest in Indian gaming and the case specifically. Oral arguments in Ysleta del Sur Pueblo v. Texas were held February 22, 2022 and a decision from the Court is expected soon. The Programs hope to invite tribal leadership from both the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas and Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo back once the Court’s opinion is published.

ILP MLS Grad Teaching at ASU

Posted on March 23, 2021 by Indian Legal Program

For Richard Breuninger (MLS ’13), when his mentor ASU’s American Indian Studies Program interim director and associate professor Dr. James Riding In tapped him to teach his course, Sovereignty and the Supreme Court, while he took sabbatical, he didn’t hesitate. Breuninger received encouragement from friends and colleagues, and most notably from his girlfriend, fellow Sun Devil and SPED teacher, Megan Pirehpour, who helped him realize his true calling—to be in front of the classroom.

“There are truly no limits for the future of a student conferring an MLS and especially with an ILP concentration,” said Breuninger. “The amount of support from Kate, Ann Marie, Patty, and all the law professors, give one the confidence to support and advocate on a scholarly and top tier level. It has been the ultimate springboard into my EdD doctoral journey, as I am now within one semester of dissertation defense after I found my own voice leveraging and leaning on the degree to put me in the best possible position for the eventual outcome.”

Safeguarding education and working together to embolden partnerships is what ILP alums like Breuninger understand. He is a proud Oneida member, a triple Sun Devil and is going into his third year teaching and lecturing as a faculty associate at Arizona State University. His course instruction is undergraduate study but is hopeful to expand teaching graduate studies upon completion of his dissertation defense and conferring his terminal degree.

There are truly no limits for the future of a student conferring an MLS and especially with an ILP concentration.

Richard Breuninger, MLS '13

This semester, he is teaching undergraduate courses: Sovereignty and the Supreme Court, Federal Indian Policy, and American Indian and Indigenous Film. While teaching remotely, he has been able to bring in guest speakers including ASU Law faculty associate Carl Artman, Gila River Indian Community Governor Stephen Lewis and others to “give pure insight and perspective on subject matter previously not available,” he said. Invited to his class, ILP alum and attorney Joe Keene (’12) presented on the McGirt case, its consequences and its impact on Indian law. “I enjoyed the presentation and loved speaking to the college students,” said Keene.

“The students are extremely bright and curious about law school, so I always put the ILP at the mountain top, of course,” said Breuninger.

“It is great to see Richard thriving in the classroom,” said ILP Faculty Director Patty Ferguson-Bohnee. “Richard is engaged in very important research regarding access to higher education for tribal members. His teaching and scholarship have the potential to help guide future pipeline programs.”

He is a thoughtful and committed ally whose inclusive curriculum is positively impacting students. We appreciate you, Richard!

________

Danielle Williams
Program Coordinator, Indian Legal Program, ASU Law