Author Archives: dwilliams

Indian Legal Clinic tour Gila River

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On Sept. 9, the Indian Legal Clinic students were sworn in to the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) Court by Judge Anthony Hill (’06). “I had a great experience and was honored to meet Judge Anthony Hill,” said Chad Edwards (3L). “Being sworn in made me feel the most like an attorney since going to law school.”

“I am extremely grateful to have been sworn into the Gila River Indian Community Court by Judge Hill, who is a true role model for Indian Country judiciary success,” said Michael LaValley (3L). 

 

Student attorneys toured the facility and observed several hearings. GRIC prosecutor Ammon Orr (’16) explained the mechanics of a bail hearing they watched and gave the students some insight on practicing in tribal courts. The students also observed Charlie Giff in arraignments and met with the Chief Prosecutor Lando Voyles.

“Before this visit, I was not particularly excited about trials or criminal proceedings,” said LaValley. “After having the opportunity to observe the court chambers and visit with Gila River prosecutors, it sparked an interest as to the effective advocacy that can occur for Tribes from inside the courtroom.”

We appreciate the Gila River Community Court for the continued support.

Job opportunity: Tohono O’odham Judicial Court Judge

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Tohono O’odham Legislative Branch
Sells, Arizona

CLOSING DATE: Open until filled

POSITION: Judge (two positions)

TERM: Terms beginning February 1, 2023 and ending January 31, 2029

SALARY: $179,685.79 (licensed attorney), $136,946.58 (bachelor’s degree), and $101,827.44 (Nation’s member with associate’s degree) with additional compensation for fluent O’odham speakers, the chief judge, and deputy chief judge
Group health and life insurance, 401(k) plan, and other benefits provided

LOCATION OF POSITION: Tohono O’odham Judicial Court in Sells, Arizona.

For full description and application information, go to: Job Announcement – Tohono O’odham Judicial Court Judge

Job opportunity: Litigation Paralegal

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Rosette, LLP is seeking a highly-motivated professional to serve as an Litigation Paralegal in its Tempe, Arizona. office. The successful candidate will be able to perform the position responsibilities and must possess a majority of the position qualifications listed below.

Position Responsibilities

  • Maintaining and updating law office files.
  • Reviewing, preparing, and editing legal documents, reports and presentations.
  • Maintaining multiple attorney calendars.
  • Assisting attorneys in preparing court filings.
  • Managing multiple projects with minimal supervision.
  • Drafting legal and business correspondence.
  • Performing tasks in a manner that demonstrates strong leadership and analytical skills.
  • Other miscellaneous tasks as assigned by attorneys.

Position Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree preferred, or significant Executive Assistant/Paralegal experience.
  • Knowledge of the legal process, legal documents and court rules required.
  • Knowledge of ECF filing systems, i.e. PACER.
  • Knowledge of Westlaw, GPO Access, Federal Register, CaseMaker and other legal research databases.
  • Exceptional attention to detail, follow through and organizational skills.
  • Proven research abilities.
  • Strong analytical competency, independent thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Proven ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and inquiries from numerous internal and external sources.
  • Demonstrated track record of achievement and success.
  • Strong verbal, written and interpersonal skills.
  • High initiative, high energy and a quick learner.
  • Competent in Microsoft applications including Word, Excel and Outlook.
  • Typing at 70+ WPM preferred.
  • Knowledge of federal Indian law is preferred, though not required.

Compensation

We offer competitive salary and benefits, including health care, 401k, and paid vacation time.

To apply, please send Cover Letter, Resume, and Salary Requirements to Wyatt Rosette, wrosette@rosettelaw.com.

Job Opportunity: Associate Attorney

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Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker, LLP is seeking applications for an Associate Attorney who will work inperson in the Washington, DC office.

Hobbs Straus is a national law firm with offices in Washington, DC; Portland, OR; Oklahoma City, OK; and Sacramento, CA. Hobbs Straus specializes in Federal Indian Law and has worked for 40 years to realize positive change in Indian Country. Our attorneys are dedicated to promoting and defending Tribal Nations’ rights and exercise of sovereignty, expanding opportunities for Tribal Nations, and improving the
lives of American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Qualifications for candidates include:

  • A strong academic performance;
  • Superior research and writing skills;
  • Strong communication skills; and
  • A commitment to Federal Indian Law.

We are accepting applications from 2023 law school graduates as well as attorneys with up to three years of experience.

To apply, interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, unofficial law school transcript, writing sample, and references to Trenton Osborne at tosborne@hobbsstraus.com.

Please reach out to Trenton or to Katie Klass at kklass@hobbsstraus.com with any questions. We will contact all applicants after we make our hiring decision. However, should you receive another offer or otherwise want an update before you hear from us, please reach out to Trenton or Katie.

Thank you for your interest in Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker, LLP.
Washington, DC Office Location:
1899 L Street, NW, Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 822‐8282

HOBBSSTRAUS.COM

Tribal Nations and Abortion Access: A Path Forward

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These Indian Law Scholars joined forces and co-authored an article “Tribal Nations and Abortion Access: A Path Forward,” forthcoming in the Harvard Journal of Law and Gender. Currently available on the SSRN. This article outlines the legal realities of providing abortion care in Indian country, particularly in the context of avoiding state prohibitions. Abortion care is a fundamental human right of Indigenous people. The ability to safely end a pregnancy is consistent with Tribal conceptions of autonomy, privacy, and individual self-determination.

  • Professor Lauren van Schilfgaarde, UCLA School of Law
  • Professor Aila Hoss, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
  • Professor Ann E. Tweedy, University of South Dakota School of Law
  • Professor Sarah Deer, The University of Kansas
  • Professor Stacy Leeds, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law

Job Opportunities: DOJ

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DOJ Office for Victims of Crime, Tribal Division – Supervisory Grants Management Specialist

DOJ Access to Justice – Pro Bono Program Counsel

DOJ Access to Justice – Attorney Advisor

ILP presents at ASU’s INSPIRE

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Last month, the ILP partnered with ASU’s Office of American Indian Initiatives for its annual INSPIRE program, which provides high school students from tribal nations in Arizona the opportunity to participate in a week-long college readiness program as well as explore various academic focus areas. During the week, students develop academic and personal success strategies through culturally-relevant learning opportunities alongside ASU’s Native staff and faculty. Students participating in the program have the opportunity to join learning communities where they receive instruction in a variety of areas.


We were happy to welcome over 100 Native American high school students to ASU Law. ILP Executive Director Kate Rosier gave a presentation on the history of Indian law and the opportunities available to students who pursue a law degree. Students did a great job in creating their points and delivering their arguments during mock trial exercises. 

Throughout the week, Native Vote Fellow Torey Dolan (’19) and Kris Beecher (’20) taught a Law & Policy class at ASU’s Tempe campus. With 15 students in the Law & Policy learning community, Dolan and Beecher taught the students some of the foundations of Federal Indian Law, discussed the history of American Indian Policy, Tribal Law, and about modern Native political movements.

“It was a privilege to be able to spend time with the INSPIRE students and teach them about law and policy,” Dolan said. “I was inspired by their sense of Justice and their knowledge of their own Tribes’ histories and cultures. They came to class knowing a lot and expressed their own visions of how law and policy should be. Their future is bright, and the future of Indian Country is brighter because of them.”

Beecher, who is an attorney at Dickinson Wright stated, “The students’ questions and answers about the law were very insightful and I am excited to see all the things they will accomplish as the next generation of Native American leaders.”

Students ended the week with a showcase where they demonstrated what they learned through posters, poems, and presentations.

We appreciate the Office of American Indian Initiatives for continuing this treasured experience.

Programs host event at ASU’s California Center

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On June 23, the Indian Gaming and Tribal Self-Governance programs traveled to ASU’s California Center in downtown Los Angeles to present “Indian Law and Policy Now.” The community education event was held in the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Event Center and co-hosted by the programs and the Academy for Justice. We were delighted that Business Council Member at-large Laurena Bolden, of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, was able to provide opening remarks and a blessing to begin the event.

The morning session was hosted by ASU Law Director Derrick Beetso (’10) who presented on the “Foundations of Federal Indian Law and Policy” to help set the stage for the day’s discussion. This was followed by a dynamic panel, VAWA 2022: How We Got Here & Where We Came From. The panel was moderated by Academy for Justice Founder and FacultyDirector Erik Luna and panelists included Stacy Leeds , ASU’s Law’s Foundation Professor of Law and Leadership; Lauren Van Schilfgaarde, UCLA’s San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Tribal Legal Development Clinic director; and Esther Labrado, attorney at Drummond Woodsum. 

This fascinating discussion tracked the history leading up to the historic tribal provisions in the 2013 Reauthorization of VAWA and the more recent expansions of those key provisions in the 2022 Reauthorization of VAWA which were passed and signed into law earlier this year.

The afternoon session closed with Director Beetso and two ILP Salt River Scholars, Noah Goldenberg (3L) and Sophie Staires (2L), summarizing recent proposals by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) affecting Indian lands and tribal gaming compacts. The BIA has hosted a series of consultations on these proposals and solicited comments from Indian tribes on a number of specific questions. Beetso, Goldenberg, and Staires provided important context for the recent actions, explained the consultation process, and provided broad responses and thoughts to many of the questions proposed by the BIA. 

This event was made possible with the generous support of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, the Mohegan Tribe, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, and others.