Author Archives: dwilliams

Job Opportunity: Associate Attorney

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Maier Pfeffer Kim Geary & Cohen LLP
San Francisco Bay Area
Associate Attorney

Maier Pfeffer Kim Geary & Cohen LLP is an established law firm located in the San Francisco Bay Area that represents American Indian tribes and tribal casinos on a
wide range of legal matters.

Maier Pfeffer Kim Geary & Cohen LLP is looking for an attorney who has five or more years experience representing
tribes and tribal entities. The firm’s five partners and four associates have nearly 200 years of collective experience representing California Indian tribes and tribal enterprises. We believe in collegiality, mutual respect and maintaining a level of
staffing that allows the firm to promptly respond to our tribal clients who utilize us as general counsel for their governmental and commercial entities while at the same time allowing us to maintain a healthy work-life balance. This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney seeking professional growth and stable employment in a practice that will fully utilize their training, knowledge, and experience in representing tribes and tribal enterprises.

Minimum qualifications include:

  • Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA accredited law school;
  • Status as an active member in good standing with the CA bar or willing to sit for the
    next CA bar exam;
  • Ability to relocate to the San Francisco Bay Area;
  • Five or more years of tribal/Indian law experience;
  • Proven skills in effectively communicating with tribal councils, gaming management, opposing counsel, and federal/state/local agencies;
  • Excellent analytical, research, and writing abilities;
  • Experience drafting transactional documents; and
  • Ability to work well independently and as a member of a team.

Duties and Responsibilities include all the duties that typically are required of experienced tribal counsel.

We offer very competitive compensation, relocation expenses and full benefits.

Interested candidates should send their resumes to: hiring@jmandmplaw.com.

Taking the Oath

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ILP alumni proved that this is no obstacle they can’t overcome.

Very recently, Candace Begody (’21) took her oath of admission to the State Bar of Arizona. Candace, who is from Ganado, AZ, is a member of the Navajo Nation and expressed her complete gratitude. “I am feeling incredibly blessed to have taken my attorney oath to practice law in the State of Arizona,” Candace said. “I want to send a special thank you to all my family, friends, my mentor Rob Rosette (’96) and my Rosette, LLP colleagues, the ASU Indian Legal Program and ASU Law, and all my mentors along the way, of of whom have shown me so much love and support through this journey. I also want to thank my mentors Tom Galbraith and Judge Randall Warner for making this ceremony so beautiful and special.” Maricopa Superior Court Judge Randall Administered the oath in Phoenix, AZ.

Across the ocean, another recent grad celebrated her big accomplishment. On April 29, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands’ Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro administered the attorney’s oath to Rellani Ogumoro (’20) at the Carolinian Utt. The Carolinian Utt is a traditional gathering place akin to the center of traditional Refaluwasch society – it is where important decisions were made, safeguards the canoes and fishing equipment, and the site for gathering members of respective clans. Rellani was joined by all judges of the Commonwealth’s Superior Court (where she is currently a law clerk), family, and friends.

“I am so thankful for all who helped me along this journey,” Rellani said. “I am so grateful for PLSI and the ILP’s investment in my legal education and bar exam preparation. I look forward to the work ahead and continuing the ILP tradition of alumni serving indigenous communities.”

In December 2021, Alexander Mallory (’19) was sworn into the United States District Court for the District of Arizona by Judge Diane Humetewa (’93). 

We are so proud of you all!

ILC Students at Ak-Chin Court

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On March 15, Gwendolyn Bell (2L) and David Streamer (3L) appeared in court for the first time as student attorneys. Bell and Streamer represented their clients at arraignment hearings at the Ak-Chin Indian Community Court in Maricopa, Arizona. Although both students had just returned from Nebraska where they participated in the ILP traveling class, “Contemporary Issues in Tribal Economic Development,” they entered the hearings with successfully negotiated plea agreements and their clients were released later that day after the judge accepted the plea agreements. 

The Indian Legal Clinic appreciates the guidance of Chief Judge Yancy Jencsok provides to clinic students during their formative career experiences.

Meeting Estate Planning Needs

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Over the past month, the Indian Legal Clinic (ILC) has continued to assist tribal members with their estate planning. On Feb. 25-26, Professor Helen Burtis (’07) and clinic students Gwendolyn Bell (2L), Ryan Maxey (2L), Lena Neuner (2L), Claire Newfeld (2L), Ravynn Nothstine (2L) and David Streamer (3L) travelled to Santa Rosa Rancheria, California to draft and execute wills for the Tachi Yokut Tribe.

Students enjoyed the opportunity to interact directly with tribal members and assist them with completing a challenging life step. This was the first Wills Clinic with the Tachi Yokut Tribe. The ILC thanks the Tachi Yokut Tribal Council, especially Councilman Bryce Baga, for organizing and sponsoring the Indian Wills Clinic. 

ILC presentation David Streamer, Gwendolyn Bell, Claire Newfeld

On March 2, Bell, Newfeld and Streamer presented live over Zoom to the Elders Council of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation in Connecticut. The students’ presentation included information on the importance of estate planning and how to prepare for the upcoming Wills Clinic. Members of the Elders Council were actively engaged in the presentation and prepared with many questions that students expertly fielded. 

The ILC is grateful to Chairperson Marjorie Colebut-Jackson and members of the Elders Council for joining the informational presentation and students look forward to meeting the Mashantucket Pequot elders again during the remote Indian Wills Clinic later this month. 

Students Resume Travel

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ILP Traveling Class in Nebraska

Nineteen ASU Law students spent their spring break at the headquarters of Ho-Chunk, Inc in Winnebago, Nebraska for the ILP traveling class, “Contemporary Issues in Tribal Economic Development,” taught by Professor Lance Morgan. Morgan is CEO of Ho-Chunk, Inc., an award-winning economic development corporation owned by the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.

In this ILP traveling class, students learned about practical political, legal and economic solutions to help tribes implement a broad range of economic development activities. Morgan helped students understand that federal Indian law is restrictive in nature but, to be a successful lawyer, they will have to use federal Indian law as a starting point, not an endpoint.

We’re proud to have Morgan on our team to share the success stories of Ho-Chunk, Inc.

ILP Students Advanced to Sweet 16

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Two ASU Law students in the National Native American Law Students Association (NALSA) – Autumn Shone (2L) and Chad Edwards (2L) – made ILP proud by advancing to the Sweet 16 in the Virtual 30th Annual National NALSA Moot Court Competition Feb. 26-27. 

Coached by Professor Stacy Leeds and Native Vote Fellow Torey Dolan (’19), Shone and Edwards briefed and argued important issues regarding Indian religious freedom, treaty rights and property interests. 

“It was a great experience to talk about Indian law with two women who have so much knowledge and experience,” Shone said. “They encouraged us when it got hard and challenged us when we needed it.”

The competition consisted of writing a brief and rounds of virtual oral arguments, of which Shone and Edwards participated in three rounds. 

“It was challenging, but I was able to practice my research, writing and oral skills on an important topic that affects Indian country,” Shone said. 

“The most valuable thing that I learned aside from a better understanding of the legal issues presented in our moot court problem, would be the amount of support that the ILP gives to its students,” Edwards said. “I don’t think I could have had any better coaches and I felt more than prepared for the competition at all times.”

For their final practice, the team held an online session with Judge David B. Gass (JD ’94) and Jens Camps (’21). 

“They helped us greatly in our last practice before the competition,” Shone said.

After the moot court competition, Shone and Edwards travelled down the street and visited with Judge Gass and Camp.

Thanks to ILP’s extensive network of professors, staff, alumni and friends, Shone and Edwards were able to participate in multiple practice rounds with a variety of lawyers and legal professionals before the competition. 

Please join us in congratulating this year’s team! 

ILP Alum Swearing In

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At the peak of the pandemic and ILP family refused to slow down! On Dec. 20, 2021, Alexander Mallory (’19) was sworn into the United States District Court for the District of Arizona by Judge Diane Humetewa (’93). Alexander is a member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.

“It was an honor to be sworn into the United States District Court for the District of Arizona by Judge Humetewa,” said Mallory.

“Clerking for Judge Humetewa has been such a privilege. She’s a brilliant jurist and a wonderful mentor, but even more, a kind person. Thank you, judge, for swearing me in. Thank you, family and friends, for inspiring and encouraging me. This achievement is as much yours as it is mine.”

Mallory also thanked Professor Patty Ferguson-Bohnee for sponsoring her application for admission.

Judge Humetewa also administered swearing-in ceremony for another fellow ILP alum, Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren (’20) in January 2021. Read more on our blogpost: Alumni: Taking the Oath in a Pandemic.

These ILP alumni represent a very powerful minority and when a member of the ILP family need support, strength or presence, ILP family is there to serve.

Native Vote: Tracking bills, tracking redistricting

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Last month, the Arizona Native Vote Communications Working Group made its return. Native Vote Fellow Blair Tarman-Toner (’21) attended the group’s meeting, and she will participate in the planning and organizing of election education and outreach materials to share in tribal communities as the group continues to meet regularly. 

ASU Law’s Indian Legal Clinic has continued working on the Native Vote policy project since Arizona’s legislative session began last month. Native Vote Fellows Torey Dolan (’19) and Tarman-Toner will continue tracking bills that impact voting and will inform tribes as to how particular bills impact their tribal members. So far, the Indian Legal Clinic has identified 142 democracy-related bills in the Arizona Legislature – 72 in the Senate and 70 in the House of Representatives. Additionally, the clinic has continued its work with other voting rights organizations through the Arizona Voting Rights Defense Coalition. 

The Indian Legal Clinic is preparing to present at two upcoming meetings of the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona to discuss barriers to voting in Indian Country and the upcoming elections. 

Additionally, the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission certified the state’s congressional and legislative maps. Tarman-Toner will continue tracking the county-level redistricting process. The county-level district lines must be finalized by July 1. 

ILC at Local Tribal Courthouse

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The Indian Legal Clinic started off the semester with a visit to the Ak-Chin Indian Community Tribal Courthouse on Jan. 21. Chief Judge Yancy Jencsok led the tour for Professor Helen Burtis (’07) and student attorneys Gwendolyn Bell (2L), Ryan Maxey (2L), Lena Neuner (2L), Claire Newfeld (2L), Ravynn Nothstine (2L), and David Streamer (3L). Clinic students will become authorized to practice law before the Ak-Chin Indian Community Court and represent defendants.

“I have never been to a tribal courthouse, so it was an awesome experience to see and tour the courthouse with Chief Judge Jencsok,” said Streamer. “It was refreshing and inspiring to hear about Chief Judge Jencsok’s work and positive experiences with tribal courts, but more importantly it was nice to see that tribal courts like Ak-Chin Indian Community are operating, growing and have knowledgeable staff and judges like Chief Judge Jencsok.”

“It’s an empowering feeling to see a tribe exercise their sovereignty and jurisdiction,” said Nothstine. 

“Tribal courts are a literal concrete expression of a tribe’s sovereignty and it was an honor to have this opportunity to speak to Judge Jencsok about the role of the court in the community while familiarizing myself with a court I’d be practicing in with the clinic,” said Maxey.

We appreciate the Ak-Chin Indian Community Tribal Courthouse and Chief Judge Jencsok for the continued support.

2022 ILP Alumni Awards – Call for Nominations

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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 4, 2022! 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 7, 2022 at Sandia Golf Center 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: 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: 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: 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).