Author Archives: dwilliams

Pathway to Law Ambassador: Ariana Romeo

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Ariana Romeo
Tohono O’odham Nation
Stanford Law School , JD Candidate ’26
Pre-Law Summer Institute ’23
Pathway to Law participant ’21

What was your experience with the Pathway to Law Workshop?
My experiences working in Indian Affairs policy inspired me to apply to law school but at the time, I was going to be the first in my family to do so. Since I had no idea where to begin, I applied to the PTL Workshop after hearing about the program from other Native professionals I had worked with––and I’m so glad that I did. The Workshop not only provided me with a detailed overview of the admissions process, but it also connected me with supportive mentors and supplied me with the LSAT training I needed to feel confident on my test day.

What information did you find most important in the Workshop (i.e. LSAT prep, personal statement building, etc.) and why?
The Workshop truly informed every aspect of my law school application. I applied to the Workshop with a draft personal statement and worked on it with my admissions mentor to turn it into a stronger, more compelling version. Since these statements can be highly personal, I appreciated the opportunity to receive feedback from someone who could relate to Native students and the difficult themes they might write about. I also followed the Workshop’s admissions strategy, which encourages applicants to get their materials in early and to work from a list of schools that they help you compile––this proved successful, and I wouldn’t have known to do this if I hadn’t attended the Workshop. And finally, the Workshop’s LSAT prep course was a lasting form of generosity that I wasn’t expecting. As someone who hadn’t taken a test in years, I needed all the support I could get. 

Would you recommend students interested in law to attend the Workshop?
The Workshop is structured for students or professionals who are considering law school but are not sure what it entails or how to get there. Even if you’re on the fence about law school, do not hesitate to apply. The Workshop helps you figure out if this is a professional path you want to commit yourself to and provides the resources you need to feel informed about the application cycle. And since it’s free to attend, you will regret not going!

Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Apply! And once you’re in, don’t be afraid to ask questions or get to know those involved in the program. You’d be shocked by how many other applicants have “insider” knowledge of admissions process, and this Workshop places you on a level playing field. Even if you finish the Workshop and decide law school isn’t for you, it’s still another great program for Native networking.

Read more success stories: From participants to mentors: Pathway to Law ambassadors give back

Submit your application by March 16: law.asu.edu/pathwaytolaw

Pathway to Law Ambassador: Chad Edwards

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Chad Edwards
Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation
Indian Legal Program, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law,
Arizona State University, JD ’23
Pre-Law Summer Institute ’20
Pathway to Law participant ’19

What was your experience with the Pathway to Law Workshop?
I would not be where I am had I not gone to the Pathway to law school. When I first applied to law school I did it all wrong. I sent in my applications late, I have a bad resume and personal statement and I only applied to 2 schools. I didn’t know what I was doing and I did not get any acceptance letters but thankfully Kate Rosier saw something in my application to ASU. She called me and advised me that I should attend the Pathway to Law School.

During the program itself, I was able to grow my network immensely, and I made friends and mentors that I still have today. It was also at the program where I learned how to apply to law school and to give myself the best chance to get accepted with my LSAT score and GPA. Further, I learned for the first time about PLSI and just how important that would be for me.

What information did you find most important in the Workshop (i.e. LSAT prep, personal statement building, etc) and why?
Not only were all the workshops extremely important to my applications down the road but to me the most important was just giving me some confidence and understanding about the process of applying to law school. As a first-generation law student, I had no idea what it would take to apply and get into law school.

Would you recommend students interested in law to attend the Workshop?
 Absolutely, at the minimum you will grow your network, eat great food, and make lasting memories.

Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Make sure to ask for help and reach out to all those who offer help.

Read more success stories: From participants to mentors: Pathway to Law ambassadors give back

Submit your application by March 16: law.asu.edu/pathwaytolaw

Pathway to Law Ambassador: Mexica Torrez-Miner

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Mexica Torrez-Miner
Metis Nation of Ontario
UC Berkeley School of Law, JD Candidate ’27
Pathway to Law participant ’23

What was your experience with the Pathway to Law Workshop?
My experience at Pathways was truly amazing. The support and guidance given by the mentors was instrumental in my journey to law school. Additionally, being surrounded by only Native peoples in the legal field was such a new and comforting environment as someone that came from a predominantly white institution.

What information did you find most important in the Workshop (i.e. LSAT prep, personal statement building, etc) and why?
The information that stuck with me the most, was the advice provided surrounding personal statements. How to write a compelling personal statement was the most unclear part of the process for me, and it felt like the most important aspect of one’s application package. To get not only suggestions on how to better your own personal statement draft, but to also read examples was extremely helpful.

Would you recommend students interested in law to attend the Workshop?
I cannot recommend Pathways enough. Not only does it provide invaluable information about how to be a better candidate, but also connects young Indigenous peoples together in a very unique and special way. Pathways was such an integral part of my process in applying to law school, which is very much a shared experience amongst past participants. 

Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Don’t let the application process overtake your life. It’s easy when studying for the LSAT, or awaiting law school decisions to forget everything else – allow yourself to have things outside of the process and surround yourself with your support system to ground yourself as the process is very mentally draining. 

Read more success stories: From participants to mentors: Pathway to Law ambassadors give back

Submit your application by March 16: law.asu.edu/pathwaytolaw

Pathway to Law Ambassador: Damian Shapes Padilla

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Damian Shapes Padilla
Pueblo of Isleta & Turtle Mountain Chippewa
University of New Mexico School of Law, JD ’22
Pre-Law Summer Institute ’19
Pathway to Law participant ’18

What was your experience with the Pathway to Law Workshop?
My experience with the Pathway to Law Workshop was incredibly enriching and truly helped provide a pipeline for me in my pursuit to work in this field I’m so passionate about. PTL provided me with an understanding of the law school application process, which ultimately led me to pursue my legal education and eventually a career in Tribal law and advocacy. One of the most lasting impacts of the workshop was the connections I built—not only with legal professionals at the time but also with my cohort of peers, who went on to pursue careers in law and policy advocating on behalf of Indian Country. Many of them remain some of my dearest friends today, shoutout to the PTL 2018 fam!

What information did you find most important in the Workshop (i.e. LSAT prep, personal statement building, etc) and why?
The most valuable part of the workshop for me was learning about the factors that admissions councils consider in applications: the LSAT, undergraduate GPAs, applying to a range of law schools, and the importance of a personal statement. That was the first LSAT I had ever taken, and I’m forever grateful I’ll never have to take one again! While I applied to as many law schools as I could, the most impactful session for me was the one on personal statements. I remember them emphasizing how much weight a meaningful statement can carry on a law school application. If there’s one thing I took away from PTL, it was knowing that my strength was in drafting a personal statement about why I wanted to pursue law and why it was important to me. I wasn’t generic, and I really believe my personal statement was a significant factor in being offered a seat at UNMSOL.

Looking back, the Pathway to Law Workshop not only gave me the tools to navigate the law school application process but also the confidence to tell my story authentically. That personal statement became more than just part of an application—it was a reflection of my passion, my purpose, and my commitment to advocating for Indian Country. I’m so grateful for the foundation PTL provided, and I’ll always credit it as a key step in my journey to UNMSOL and beyond.

Would you recommend students interested in law to attend the Workshop?
Absolutely, I’ve already recommended PTL to folks who have expressed interest in pursuing a legal career. I think it was such a great opportunity to gain insights, build connections, and prepare for the challenges of law school. The workshop not only equips students with the knowledge they need to navigate the application process but also empowers them to approach the journey with confidence.

Do you have any tips for prospective students?
My advice is this: go to the PTL with curiosity, step out of your comfort zone, and be ready to learn and grow—carry eagerness in your step, but also the understanding that the path ahead is long and demanding. Remember, every challenge you face will shape you into the advocate you are meant to be. The road to and through law school is not just about earning a seat in a classroom; it’s about finding your voice, honing your purpose, and stepping into the role you are destined to fulfill.

Read more success stories: From participants to mentors: Pathway to Law ambassadors give back

Submit your application by March 16: law.asu.edu/pathwaytolaw

Job opportunities: Zwillinger Wulkan

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Associate Attorney

Job description:
We are seeking an experienced associate attorney, with 1 to 5+ years of experience in both tribal courts, state courts, and federal courts to assist in civil litigation, criminal, employment, personal injury, complex commercial, business and real estate litigation. The position will entail legal research and the writing of memoranda, motions and pleadings. The associate will also attend court conferences, participate in discovery-related activities and investigations, as well as other tasks required in a busy and diverse practice.

We place an emphasis on excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as attention to detail.

Pay:
The salary depends on experience. Benefits are available after a qualifying period.
Qualified candidates must be, and remain, licensed to practice law in Arizona courts. Must also be able to become licensed to practice in various tribal courts.

Duties
– Conduct legal research on various legal issues
– Draft legal documents such as pleadings, motions, briefs, and contracts
– Assist in case preparation for trials and hearings
– Communicate with clients, witnesses, and other attorneys
– Attend court proceedings and depositions as needed

Junior Paralegal

Job description
Seeking a full-time Junior Paralegal to join our busy, fast-paced law firm in Phoenix, AZ. The ideal candidate has tribal court, civil litigation, criminal, probate, or collections experience and has excellent communication and organizational skills.
As a Junior Paralegal, you will be responsible for a variety of assignments, such as: state and federal court filings, tribal court filings, docketing, preparing correspondence to clients and third-parties, word processing, and other administrative support matters.

Annual Salary: $50,000 -$60,000 depending on experience.

Qualifications required:

  • 2+ year of experience;
  • Professional demeanor;
  • Strong communication and problem-solving skills;
  • High level of discretion and confidentiality;
  • Ability to interact effectively with people at all organizational levels;
  • Ability to work in a team environment with a customer service focus;
  • Thorough knowledge of PC applications, including MS Office.

Expected hours: 40 per week, Monday to Friday

See full job description and apply: https://www.zwfirm.com/careers

Indian Gaming and Tribal Self-Governance: Behind the Scenes with Lynn French

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A peek into the MLS course production

The cameras roll, the microphones are on, and a professor enters the frame to deliver a lecture. Behind the camera, Lynn French, the instructional designer for MLS, ensures every detail is crisp, clear, and seamless.

Under the glare of production lights and the glow of the green screen, one rule is non-negotiable: no lime green or silver sequins. The reasoning is simple, wear the wrong thing, and you might find parts of yourself vanishing into the digital abyss. You also may notice your professor wearing the same outfit across all lectures. That’s no coincidence. While the law is constantly shifting—rewritten, overturned, and reinterpreted—what your professor is wearing doesn’t have to change. In fact, it’s better if their attire doesn’t.

Enter the editing process–-Lynn and her team meticulously trim and stitch together content, ensuring lectures remain accurate and relevant. Take the fall of the Chevron doctrine. Every lecture referencing it had to be reviewed and updated to reflect the shift in legal precedent. Yet on screen, the professor remains unchanged, a steady presence amid the fluid nature of MLS production and the ever-evolving legal landscape. Beyond the polished lectures, Lynn also finds immense joy in capturing the conversations with special guests for lectures. The law comes to life when a professor brings in someone with firsthand legal experience. A time when the case studies, doctrines, and precedents take on human form. MLS course production isn’t just about filming lectures—it’s about making sure students see the law in motion, inconversation, and in action.

“I enjoy capturing conversations between people, like when a professor brings in a person who is a living example of the law, as when a representative from the Ak-Chin Community came in to talk about water rights for a Tribal Self-Governance class.”

Save the Date: 2025 ASU Navajo Nation Law CLE

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We are excited to start planning the 2025 ASU Navajo Law CLE. This year’s event will take place Friday, October 24, 2025 at the ASU Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. To make sure we are meeting the needs of our attendees, we are seeking your input on CLE topics and speakers. We are open to sessions 30, 60, 90 or 120 minutes in length. Please send your ideas to ilp@asu.edu.

 

ASU Law student receives prestigious Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation Externship

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The Indian Gaming and Tribal Self-Governance Programs at ASU Law are pleased to announce the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation Externship Program winner for Spring 2025. Congratulations to second-year law student Sam Phillips!

Sam will build on past experiences in policy development and Tribal self-governance by working with the of Office of Indian Gaming as well as externing with the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community in the Office of General Counsel.

In thanking the San Manuel Nation for investing in Indian Law students, Sam said, “In my culture, we believe in the teaching of “Gadugi,” or coming together as one and working to help one another. The Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation Externship Program is an embodiment of this teaching. By investing in Indian Law students, regardless of enrollment in the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, a network of future lawyers is being supported that will strengthen Indian Country as a whole.”

We also thank the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians for their support, which allows us to offer this opportunity and supports the students’ goals of understanding legal issues and positively impacting Tribal interests.

ASU Indian Legal Clinic Comments on New Federal Acknowledgement Re-Petitioning Regulations

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The Indian Legal Clinic (ILC) has actively monitored the regulations governing the Federal acknowledgment process since 2009. Effective Feb. 14, 2025, the United States Department of the Interior (“Interior”) will implement revisions to these regulations – governing the process through which the Secretary acknowledges an Indian Tribe – introducing a conditional, time-limited opportunity for denied petitioners to re-petition for Federal acknowledgment. Previously, the 1994 and 2015 regulations governing the Federal acknowledgment process, under 25 CFR part 83, explicitly prohibited re-petitioning. However, Interior reconsidered the ban following two Federal district court rulings in June 2022, which deemed Interior’s justification for the ban arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act and remanded to Interior for further consideration.

On Sept. 5, 2024, the ILC attended a listening session led by Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs Bryan Newland. The session brought together attendees, primarily Tribes seeking federal recognition, who largely supported the proposed rule to establish a limited exception to the ban through a re-petition authorization process. The Interior’s sessions and written comment period (which has since closed as of Sept. 13) garnered comments from stakeholders, including federally recognized Tribes, State-recognized Tribes, non-federally recognized groups, national associations, inter-Tribal organizations, State and local government representatives, congressional delegations and coalitions and academic institutions – among them, the Indian Legal Clinic at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at ASU.

ILC Director Patty Ferguson-Bohnee, student attorney Morgan Oakes (3L) and Law Fellow Jordan Garcia (’23) drafted a substantive comment about the changes to the proposed rule. The ILC comment letter emphasized fairness as a key justification for the amendment. The final published rule directly referenced the ILC’s comment, highlighting a “lack of recognition can negatively impact a Tribe’s ability to exercise its self-determination in areas such as defending sovereignty, protecting culture, accessing resources, and ensuring the survival of tribal ways of life.”To review the new regulations, visit 25 CFR Part 83.

Job opportunity: Chief Tribal Prosecutor

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Hualapai Tribe

JOB TITLE: Chief Tribal Prosecutor
DEPARTMENT: Prosecutor’s Office

CLASS: FT/Non-Exempt

SALARY: $99,029 annually minimum start (Determined on candidates qualifications and experience)

OPENING: November 15, 2024

CLOSING: Open Until Filled

JOB SUMMARY: The Chief Tribal Prosecutor represents the Hualapai Tribe in prosecuting all criminal complaints in the Tribal Court. This position reports to the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Hualapai Tribe.

EMPLOYMENT DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS:

  • Regular attendance is essential.
  • Prepares complaints for prosecution by filing complaints with the court clerk in both adult and juvenile cases.
  • Interviews witnesses, victims, complainants, and arresting officers in preparation of cases.
  • Files necessary case related motions or pleas with the court.
  • Maintains a positive working relationship with general public and law enforcement.
  • Obtains pertinent information from reluctant witnesses.
  • Prepares and presents elements or facts of case to court.
  • Completes quarterly and annual reports in accordance with Judicial Contract.
  • Administers budget as needed.

EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, AND/OR SKILLS REQUIRED:

  • High School or General Education Diploma, and at least two (2) years of court or law enforcement experience.
  • Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice Administration, Juris Doctorate is required;

And/or

  • Knowledge of court procedures and all laws that are applicable on the Hualapai Indian Reservation, i.e., Indian Child Welfare act, Law and Order code, etc.
  • Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Must be willing to attend and receive training related to the position.
  • Must submit to and pass pre-employment and random drug/alcohol screenings.
  • Must have a valid driver’s license and/or pass a MVR check and be eligible for the Tribe’s Insurance.
  • Knowledge of Tribal, Arizona State, and Federal laws.
  • Knowledge of Hualapai Tribe’s Judicial policies, procedures, and rules of evidence.
  • Knowledge of Tribal Court appellate procedures.
  • Knowledge of case law appropriate to preparation, legal research techniques and practices.

Submit a completed Employment Application to:  Human Resources Department, PO Box 179, Peach Springs, AZ 86434, fax (928) 769-1191, or call (928) 769-2215/2216 for information.  To be considered for employment, the Human Resources Department must receive a completed application by 5:00 PM on the closing date.  A resume will not be accepted in lieu of a completed employment application.  All applications and supporting documentation submitted becomes the property of the Human Resources Department, please keep copies for your own reference.

PREFERENCE:

All applicants are considered without regard to age, sex, race, national origin, religion, marital status, or physical disability. However, preference may be extended to persons of Indian descent in accordance with Public Law 88-355, Section 703 (702-71) and public Law 93-638, Section 7B.

THE HUALAPAI TRIBE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER/PROGRAM

Auxiliary aids and services available upon request to individuals with disabilities
For More information visit: https://hualapai.bamboohr.com/careers/258