Job Opportunity: Legislative Policy Advisor

Posted on January 27, 2023 by dwilliams

Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker, LLP
Washington, D.C.

Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker, LLP is looking for a motivated, energetic individual to join its legislative and health policy team in its Washington, DC office. Hobbs Straus is a national law firm dedicated to promoting and defending the interests of Indian tribal governments and organizations.

The Legislative Policy Advisor is a non-attorney position who will work with attorneys and legislative staff from across the firm on behalf of our tribal clients to advance the scope and quality of tribal health services. Duties include assisting attorney and legislative staff in outreach to Capitol Hill and federal agencies, attending and covering health policy meetings, researching and working on Indian health policy and drafting reports to clients. Applicants must have strong research, writing and communication skills. Prior legislative experience preferred but not required. Salary based on experience.

Educational requirements: B.A. or higher.

To apply: Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to Ms. Robin Branthover at rbranthover@hobbsstraus.com.

Thank you for your interest in Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker, LLP.
www.hobbsstraus.com

Inclusion power

Posted on January 26, 2023 by dwilliams

Indian Country's representation

On Jan. 10, the Indian Legal Program hosted a special dinner for students to meet Bryan Newland, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs in the Department of the Interior. A full year of serving in a prominent position, Assistant Secretary Newland leans on his experiences and centers tribal community as part of the strategy. He understands the challenges Tribes face and the importance of ensuring Indigenous People are protected, included and represented at every level, for every decision.

We were also joined by Secretary Newland’s team who share that vision: Rose Petoskey, Joaquin Gallegos, Stephanie Sfiridis (’16), Sam Kohn, Senior-Counselor to the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs and Katherine Isom-Clause, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Economic Development, as well as Shannon Estenoz, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks and Steve Simpson, Senior Attorney with the Solicitor’s Office. ILP students learned about the work the Department of Interior does on behalf of Tribes and how hard each have worked to be in a position where they can drive change.

“Having Assistant Secretary Bryan Newland and his team visit was such an honor,” said 2L Sophie Staires. “What struck me about all of them was the genuine interest they showed in all of us students—who we are, and what we want to do. Talking with them made it easier for me to picture myself in those roles, and I really needed that. Assistant Secretary Newland really impressed upon me that I am right where I need to be, that I am capable and that I will get to where I want to be.”

“It was nice to know that even though law school can be a real challenge sometimes, the opportunities to do great things for Indian Country outweighs that,” said 2L Chelsi Tsosie. “It was quite motivating to relate to someone in a position as high as his.”

Thank you to the Department of the Interior for this special visit. We appreciate all that you do for Indian Country!

Job Opportunity: Associate

Posted on January 19, 2023 by dwilliams

Kewenvoyouma Law, PLLC
Associate

Kewenvoyouma Law, PLLC is seeking a motivated, self-driven, and ambitious full-time associate. Kewenvoyouma Law, PLLC is a 100% Indian owned boutique law firm providing legal services exclusively to Indian tribes, tribal business enterprises, tribal agencies, and tribal entrepreneurs. Our firm provides services in the area of Indian law, business transactions, economic development, finance, gaming, and all areas of tribal government. We are proud to assist as day-to-day general or special counsel for tribes and corporate counsel for tribal business.

See full job description.

Please submit information via email to gina@vtklaw.com. Please contact Gina Ortiz at 480-428-4590 with any questions. Experience and/or education in transactional, business, economic development, or gaming preferred. Native American hiring preference will be provided to qualified attorneys.

Call for articles: Special Indian Law edition of the Arizona Attorney 2023

Posted on January 19, 2023 by dwilliams

Deadline: February 28, 2023

The Indian Law Section is soliciting proposals for articles to be included in the 2023 special Indian Law edition of the Arizona Attorney magazine. The proposal should focus on an issue of interest to those who practice Indian Law.

Either a short or a long article may be proposed. Generally, a long article will be between 2,000 and 2,500 words (in a Microsoft Word document, about 9 to 12 pages including endnotes) and will be about 3 to 4 pages in the magazine. A short article will be approximately 1,500 words and typically will be 2 pages in the magazine.

The proposal should provide the following information: author’s name and contact information (e-mail address, phone number, and name of employer/firm); the subject matter of the article (e.g., ICWA, NAGPRA, Water Rights, Land Use, Tribal Sovereignty, etc.); the anticipated title; and a concise summary of the thesis of the article.

Proposal authors will be notified on whether their proposed article has been accepted by March 10, 2023. The draft of the article for a selected proposal will be due on April 7, 2023. Final drafts of selected articles are due by May 5, 2023.

Past articles from the 2022 Indian Law edition were:

McGirt v. Oklahoma: The Most Impactful Indian Law Case in a Century?
By Professor Robert J. Miller

ICWA- The Gold Standard: Golden Nuggets of Evidence from Arizona
By Tara Hubbard & Fred Urbina

Indigenous Erasure in Public Schools: Critical Race Theory, Discriminatory Policies, and Remedies for Students
By Mia Montoya Hammersley, Adriana M. Orman & Wouter Zwart

“Authentic” From Time Immemorial: Reforming Rule of Evidence 902 To Reflect Tribal Sovereignty
By Henry Oostrom-Shah

The Cabazon Decision, 35 Years On
By Glenn M. Feldman

Tribal Labor and Employment Law: The Evolution of the Navajo Preference in Employment Act
By Paul Spruhan

Indian Law From Behind the Bench
By Alexander Mallory (’19)

Oral History on Trial
By Robert Alan Hershey

If you would like to submit a proposal or if you have questions, please contact
Glennas’ba Augborne Arents (’16), Secretary, Indian Law Section
gaugborne@rothsteinlaw.com

Hon. June Harris, Member-at-Large, Indian Law Section
JHarris@sc.pima.gov

Where are they now? Feat. Shea Backus (’03)

Posted on January 18, 2023 by dwilliams

Shea Backus (’03) is a shareholder of Backus | Burden, a civil / commercial litigation firm in Las Vegas, Nevada. Shea has been elected to serve as an Assemblywoman in the Nevada State Legislature representing District 37. This is her second time to serve. She will have the honor to chair Revenue and serve as vice-chair of Ways & Means.

Q: What has your journey been like since you graduated?

A: It is almost 20 years since I graduated, and it does not feel that long. I have been in private practice since graduating. I started working for my dad’s small firm in Las Vegas right after law school, and am now a shareholder. I have had the privilege of being able to practice in the State of Nevada, as well as three tribal courts.

Four years ago, I decided to run for our state legislature. I won in 2018, lost in 2020 and won in 2022. I’m looking forward to serve my second regular session starting February 6, after serving in one regular session in 2019 and two special sessions in 2020. From my service in 2019, I was appointed to the Uniform Law Commission. Since then, I have been a Commissioner for Nevada. I am proudly on a study committee looking at a uniform or model code addressing issues related to the Indian Child Welfare Act. I am also exploring a bill to address any issues pertaining to ICWA in light of pending matters before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Q: What is the most valuable lesson you learned in the classroom that has helped you in your career?

A: Legal Writing! ASU’s legal writing program definitely prepared me for the practice of law.

Q: Is there anything you’ve learned after graduating that you wished you learned in class?

A: The difference between practicing law and studying in law school. This is more on me and less on the law school. At the time I was at ASU, I had no idea that I would be a litigator, so I never took any classes that would have prepared me for the litigation world.

Q: What originally made you choose ASU Law?

A: Reputation, ILP and closeness to home.

Q: Who was your favorite law professor, and why?

A: Professor Clinton. While I thought he was terrifying as my Indian Law professor, I came to appreciate him through his involvement with ILP and then as a professor of an Indian Gaming course that I took.

Q: What is your advice for current students?

A: Develop your legal writing and research skills while you are in law school as this will provide a great foundation to being a respected practitioner. Also, work harder than your opponent and you will succeed!

Q: What do you want people to know about you?

A: I am truly proud of setting history by serving in the first female majority state legislature in U.S. history. When I won a seat that a lot of people thought I could not win because of my political party, it created the pathway to that majority female legislature. I am also humbled and surprised to be the first female, enrolled in a tribe, to serve in the Nevada State Legislature. This has provided me with an understanding in addressing bills that can impact our tribal communities and urban Indians.

Tribal citizens served by the Indian Legal Clinic students

Posted on December 15, 2022 by dwilliams

Student attorneys from the Indian Legal Clinic’s Wills and Probate class recently helped fourteen tribal citizens of the Quechan Indian Tribe with their estate planning needs. Students met with clients one on one to determine each person’s wishes so tailored wills and powers of attorney could be drafted for them. The clients were members of the Quechan Indian Tribe who needed an “Indian will,” which is a will drafted to conform to the American Indian Probate Reforms Act’s requirements for bequeathing trust or restricted land (i.e., allotments).

“Participating in the clinic gave me invaluable experience in drafting wills and building client relationships,” said student attorney Joe Wilwerding (2L). “The wills clinics opened my eyes to the large need for those who know how to draft Indian wills to keep Native lands in the hands of the people to which they belong,” added Courtney Kamauoha (3L).

Collectively, a total of 28 wills and health care powers of attorney were executed during the wills clinic. The student attorneys were supervised by Professor Helen Burtis (’07), and two volunteer attorneys from Rosette, LLP: Jim Palmer (’04) and Daniel Ray.

2023 ILP Alumni Awards: Call for Nominations

Posted on December 5, 2022 by dwilliams

The ILP alumni awards are now open. Nominate your classmates and friends! The ILP Awards include Professional Achievement, Alumni Service Award, and Emerging Leader Award. Nominations are due March 3, 2023! Nomination materials should be sent by email to: Kate.Rosier@asu.edu. Awards will be presented at the ILP Alumni & Friends Awards Ceremony at Fed Bar on Monday, April 17, 2023 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Nomination Guidelines

ILP Professional Achievement Award – This award recognizes outstanding achievement in Indian Law or Tribal Law throughout an individual’s career. The award honors ILP alumni whose achievements in the field of Indian Law or Tribal Law have brought distinction to themselves and real benefit to the Indian community. Nomination Package Requirements:

Describe the unique professional achievements in the field of Indian Law or Tribal Law that has brought distinction to the candidate. (maximum two pages)
Describe the recognized contributions made by this candidate that demonstrate a benefit to the larger community. (maximum one page)
Describe the ways in which the candidate’s achievements are truly extraordinary or exceptional. (maximum one page)
Provide at least two letters of support from individuals that can speak to the candidate’s impact on his or her profession.
Letters of support should speak to the magnitude of the individual’s impact in the practice of Indian or tribal law or in the Indian community.
Provide a 200 word bio of the nominee.
Past winners include: Claudeen Bates Arthur (’74) (Posthumous), Gloria Kindig (’89), Kathy Bowman (’86), Rob Rosette (’96), Diane Enos (’92), Ben Hanley (’71) and Herb Yazzie (’75).

ILP Alumni Service Award – This award is given for outstanding service to the Indian Legal Program, and is awarded for extended, extraordinary service to the Indian Legal Program. Nomination Package Requirements

Describe the ways in which the candidate has served or supported the ILP and the ILP alumni. Examples can include serving on committees, boards, CLEs, mentoring ILP students, or other volunteer or fundraising efforts or funding commitments. (maximum one page)
Describe the ways this service been truly extraordinary. (maximum one page)
Describe how the candidate’s service has benefited the ILP. (maximum one page)
Please provide at least two letters of support from ILP alumni as part of the nomination package.
Provide a 200 word bio of the nominee.
Past winners include: Rodina Cave Parnall (’01), Peter Larson (’02), Verrin Kewenvoyouma (’04), Ann Marie Downes (’94), Mary Shirley (’92) and Jeff Harmon (’05).

ILP Emerging Leader Award – This award acknowledges and encourages service to Indian Country and the ILP by alumni who are less than ten years out of law school. The award recognizes outstanding achievements in their professional career, volunteer work, and promotion or support of the ILP and/or ASU NALSA. Nomination Package Requirements.

Describe how the candidate has achieved professional success in their legal career.
Describe the candidate’s volunteer work.
Describe how the candidate achieved an exceptional level of service while balancing the demands of being a recent graduate. (maximum one page)
Describe how the candidate was proactive in efforts to become involved in ILP and/or ILP alumni activities. (maximum one page)
Describe how the candidate’s service has been sustained over a long period of time or how the service has been innovative or beneficial. (maximum one page)
Provide two letters of support from fellow ILP alumni.
Provide a 200 word bio of the nominee.
Past winners include: Jacob Schellinger (’12), Derrick Beetso (’10), Carolyn Angus-Hornbuckle (’09), Nikki Borchardt Campbell (’09), Steve Bodmer (’06), Elizabeth Medicine Crow (’05), Charles Galbraith (’07), Matthew Campbell (’08) and Michael Corey Hinton (’11).

ASU Indian Legal Clinic goes to Washington, D.C.

Posted on November 21, 2022 by dwilliams

Last month, the Indian Legal Clinic traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend a hearing that focused on the situation of Indigenous Peoples and forced displacement in the context of climate change in the United States before the Inter American Commission on Human Rights. The request for a hearing was made on behalf of four Louisiana Tribes and the Village of Kivalina.

Student attorneys Ruben Zendejas (3L) and Brittany Habbart (3L) were assigned the case with Professor Patty Ferguson-Bohnee. Working with Earth Rights, the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, and the Georgetown Environmental Law and Justice Clinic, the ILC assisted in preparing a written submission in support of the thematic hearing and preparing witnesses for the hearing. Blair Tarman-Toner (’20) also assisted with the written submission. Ferguson-Bohnee gave the rebuttal statement on behalf of the petitioning Tribes during the Thematic Hearing. While in Washington, ILC students attended a meeting at the White House.

“Ruben and I met different tribal leaders and advocates and learned about their experiences with climate displacement or dealing with the federal recognition process,” said Habbart. “Hearing about issues directly from people who live it or work with it is always invaluable.”

Your vote, your voice

Posted on November 16, 2022 by dwilliams

2022 is another year that has seen Arizona Native voters and their rights disproportionally challenged on the ballot. “Native advocates say voter ID rules in Proposition 309 could disenfranchise Arizona Indigenous voters,” said Native Vote fellow Torey Dolan (’19) in her interview with the AZ Central. The article discusses the impact that Proposition 309 will have on Tribal communities if passed. Proposition 309 would limit the forms of identification that are acceptable for in-person voting and would eliminate many forms of Tribal identification that voters currently rely on.

Despite this ballot measure and redistricting issues, the Indian Legal Clinic’s Native Vote Election Protection team organized and strategized with its partners to remain steadfast leading up to Election Day. Dolan presented at the Tribal leaders meeting hosted by the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona and discussed the propositions’ impacts on Tribal communities and Native voters.

Indian Legal Clinic student attorneys Mallory Moore (3L) and Autumn Shone (3L) led and conducted two trainings for volunteers.

This year, 66 volunteers served as Election Protectors stationed at multiple polling locations to assist voters at 9 Tribal communities: the Ak-Chin Indian Community, the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, the Gila River Indian Community, the Navajo Nation, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, the San Carlos Apache Tribe, the Tohono O’odham Nation and the White Mountain Apache Tribe.

On Election Day, the Native Vote team worked with the Navajo Nation to assist in emergency litigation due to delays in the opening of a polling location in Many Farms, Arizona. Katherine Belzowski, an attorney with the Navajo Nation Department of Justice Economic and Community Development Unit, said “The Indian Legal Clinic was instrumental to the Navajo Nation’s success in the 2022 Election. ILC worked with the Navajo Department of Justice (NDOJ) to monitor state polling locations across the Nation. With ILC’s assistance NDOJ was able to timely investigate and respond every concern submitted to the ILC and NDOJ voting hotline.”

Thank you to all volunteers, advocates and allies for serving as Election Protectors and organizing the Native Vote power! With your help, we were able to assist voters through the hotline and in the field, ensuring that Native voters were able to cast ballots free from intimidation and without undue challenges. This year’s ILC Native Vote leadership team includes dedicated ILP Native Vote Fellows Torey Dolan (’19) and Blair Tarman-Toner (’20), student attorney leads Mallory Moore (3L) and Autumn Shone (3L), and student attorneys Chad Edwards (3L), Brittany Habbart (3L), Michael LaValley (3L), and Ruben Zendejas (3L), under the supervision of Professor Patty Ferguson-Bohnee.

Visiting Judge Humetewa’s courtroom

Posted on November 16, 2022 by dwilliams

On Nov. 11, ILP students met with Honorable Judge Diane Humetewa (’93), a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, and her law clerks, including ILP alum Alexander Mallory (’19). Judge Humetewa is a member of the Hopi Tribe and became the first Native American woman to reach a federal bench in 2014. Students learned about her law school experiences, legal career and advocacy work in public service, and her commitment to building inclusion and diversity.

“She encouraged us to approach law school with a positive attitude, and to focus on the bigger picture when things get tough,” said Shandiin Hererra (1L). “This bigger picture focuses on how each of us can be impactful in Indian Country and/or be a strong advocate in spaces where Indigenous attorneys are seldom present.”

Visiting student Kelsey Haake (3L) enjoyed hearing about Judge Humetewa’s background. “While I find law school to be so exhausting and daunting at times, it was really nice to hear that even someone with so much success and an incredible career had moments in law school where they struggled,” said Haake.

During the visit, Judge Humetewa gave the students a tour of her courtroom and chambers.

Judge Humetewa welcomed open questions, genuinely listened and made their presence felt. We appreciate you, Judge Humetewa! Thank you for arranging this meeting and hosting our students.

While at the Sandra Day O’Connor U.S. Courthouse, we ran into ILP grad Zachary Cain (’00). Cain currently serves as a federal public defender.