Earlier this month, 11 driven law students – 10 juris doctor and one master of legal studies – traded in their fall break for a transformative experience in Washington, D.C., as part of the “Federal Advocacy for the Tribal Client” traveling class. Hosted at the Barrett & O’Connor Washington Center and led by Derrick Beetso (’10), professor of practice and executive director of the Indian Gaming and Tribal Self-Governance program, the week-long course provided an exclusive opportunity to gain real-world insights into federal advocacy for Tribal Nations. From learning legal strategies to experiencing policy in action, these students embraced a powerful week of growth and discovery in the heart of the nation’s capital. 

Students met with the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs; Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs Bryan Newland; Senior Advisor to the Secretary Heidi Todacheene; and Deputy Solicitor for Indian Affairs Joel West Williams. They also spent time discussing advocacy with the Native American Rights Fund, the National Congress of American Indians, the Navajo Nation’s Washington Office and attorneys Sam Hirsch and Andrew DeGuglielmo of Jenner & Block LLP. And finally, the students were able to hear from ILP alums working in D.C. about their career paths and their approach to working in the nation’s capital. 

Many special thanks to ILP alums Stephanie Sfiridis (’16), Darren Pete (’00), Rebecca Ross (’10), Rani Williams (’18) and Ann Marie Bledsoe Downes (’94).