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Indian Legal Program
Established more than 30 years ago, the Indian Legal Program (ILP) at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University has grown to become one of the most respected Indian law programs in the nation. Situated in the heart of the Southwest, with connections to Arizona’s 22 tribes and tribes nationally, the ILP is in the perfect location for students looking to study the developing field of Indian law. Our nationally recognized faculty members are leading scholars in their fields, producing research and publications, as well as providing outreach and public service.
Home to one of the highest concentrations of Native American students and Indian law students in the nation, ASU Law has an active Native American Law Students Association that hosts events, participates in pro bono activities, and mentors incoming students. Students have an instant network to support them academically, professionally and socially. Working for tribes, in public service, private practice and nonprofit organizations, Indian Legal Program alumni are making a difference in Indian Country. The program's positive reputation is in large part due to the success and support of its graduates.
ASU Law’s Indian Legal Program offers an Indian Law JD certificate program (discussed below), and its Indian Gaming and Tribal Self-Governance Programs offer MLS and LLM emphasis areas in the following: Indian Gaming (MLS and LLM), Tribal Self-Governance (MLS and LLM), Federal Indian Law (MLS) and Tribal Policy, Law and Government (LLM).
Degree programs
Student opportunities
The Indian Legal Program provides students the opportunity to see the law in action with two traveling classes. Students have the opportunity to leave Arizona and learn from experts in the field. In Federal Advocacy for the Tribal Client, students attend class during fall break at the ASU Washington Center in DC with former Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Carl Artman and visiting lecturers from the DC area providing instruction.
This class introduces students to the practical application of the relationship between tribes and the federal government, including the development of federal Indian policy. While in DC, students visit different offices and network with professionals working in the field. In Contemporary Issues in Tribal Economic Development, students attend class in Winnebago, Nebraska, during spring break at the corporate headquarters of Ho- Chunk Inc. with Lance Morgan, CEO of Ho-Chunk Inc., instructing the class. Ho-Chunk Inc. is an award-winning economic development corporation owned by the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. Established in 1994 with one employee, Ho-Chunk Inc. has grown to over 1,000 employees with operations in 10 states and four foreign countries. Topics covered include tobacco and gas operations and tax compacts, tribal corporate structures, government contracting, a new tribal farming initiative, as well as numerous other subjects.
Native American Law Students Association at ASU Law is a large and active group of Native and non-Native law students. It is committed to promoting the understanding of Native American cultures and legal issues affecting indigenous people. It organizes community service activities, social activities, and mentorships. The student mentorships provide incoming students with academic support, advice, and friendship. The ASU Chapter is an active member of the National Native American Law Students Association organization, competes in the annual national moot court competition, and co-sponsors the Indian Legal Program /Native American Law Students Association graduation celebration.
Sample coursework
- Cultural Resources
- Indian Gaming
- Tribal Law and Government
- Economic Development in Indian Country
- Contemporary Issues in Tribal Economic Development
- Indian Law and Taxation
- Federal Advocacy for the Tribal Client
- International Indigenous Rights
- Critical Race Theory
- Civil Rights Legislation
- Environmental Law
- Natural Resources Law
- Water Law
- Tribal Energy
Benefits of the Indian Legal Program
There are a variety of benefits to participating in the Indian Legal Program.
- The Indian Law Certificate requires 21 hours of Indian law courses, a substantial paper, and a practicum in the Indian Legal Clinic.
- Rosette LLP, American Indian Economic Development Program provides an innovative curriculum and hosts an annual conference on tribal economic development.
- National conferences and lectures by top scholars and attorneys on legal issues in Indian country.
- Native Vote Election Protection Project assists voters and tribal communities.
- Tribal Court Trial Skills College provides training for tribal court advocates.
- Native American Pathway to Law Initiative provides community outreach, mentorship, and pre-law advising to help improve access to justice in tribal communities.
- The Indian Legal Clinic allows students to participate in real cases with Native people and Indian issues. The clinic serves both Indian country and urban Indian populations by providing high-quality legal services, with attention to the special legal and cultural needs of Native people.
Indian Legal video gallery
ILP Webinar Unpacking Haaland v. Brackeen June 2023
ILP Webinar: Unraveling the International Law of Colonialism: The 200th Anniversary of Johnson v M'Intosh--March 10, 2023
ILP Webinar--Conquering Columbus: Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery from October 2021
Policing in Indian Country: Cooley, McGirt and Beyond!
McGirt v. Oklahoma: ASU Indian Legal Program Webinar
Webinar Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta: Rebalancing Federal-State-Tribal Power
Indian Legal Program events
Wiring the Rez
American Indian Nations and American Indians are pursuing business opportunities of every kind, including e-commerce and private-sector economies. One advantage of online businesses is that they address the physical challenges that mostly-remote Indian Country still faces today. E-commerce can create thriving economies, but involve jurisdictional, economic and practical issues.
Navajo Nation Law CLE
This conference will offer a survey of legal issues in business development, energy law, criminal law and case law updates, as well as an exploration in Fundamental Law. It is ideal training for tribal court advocates, tribal court practitioners, tribal court prosecutors, tribal court defenders, tribal council members, Indian law attorneys and attorneys practicing on and near the Navajo Nation Reservation, tribal liaisons, government legislators, Navajo Nation Bar members, law students, as well as teachers/professors and students of American Indian studies.
ILP highlights
One of the highest concentrations of Indian law students and faculty in the nation.
An active Native American Law Students Association to give students an instant network.
Mentorship and alumni services to help our students succeed.
Indian Legal Expertise
Helen Burtis
Instructor
Pilar Thomas
Pascua Yaqui
Faculty Associate
Lance Morgan
Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
Paul Spruhan
Faculty Associate
Michael Hoenig
Faculty Associate
Jay Spaan
Cherokee
Faculty Associate
Steve Bodmer
Edisto Natchez‐Kusso
Stacy L. Leeds
Cherokee
Willard H. Pedrick Dean and Regents Professor of Law
Patty Ferguson-Bohnee
Pointe-au-Chien
Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence, Charles M. Brewer Professor of Trial Advocacy; Faculty Director, Indian Legal Program and Director, Indian Legal Clinic
Robert J. Miller
Eastern Shawnee
Jonathan and Wendy Rose Professor of Law
Derrick Beetso
Navajo
Professor of Practice; Executive Director, Indian Gaming and Self-Governance
Trevor Reed
Hopi
Professor of Law
Tamara Herrera
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Distinguished Endowed Professorship in Legal Method
Beth DiFelice
Assistant Dean, Law Library
Ann Marie Bledsoe Downes
Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
Professor of Practice; Director, Indian Gaming and Self-Governance
Advisory Council
- The Hon. William C. Canby – Judge, Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals
- Paul Bender – Professor of Law and Dean Emeritus, ASU Law
- Diane Humetewa (’93) – District Judge, United States District Court for the District of Arizona
- Diane Enos (’92) – Attorney, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
- Jennifer K. Giff (’95) – Senior Counsel, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
- Judith M. Dworkin – Shareholder, Sacks Tierney PA
- Diandra Benally (’05) – General Counsel, Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation
- Peter Larson (’02) – Partner, Lewis Rocha Rothgerber Christie LLP
- Bradley G. Bledsoe Downes (’94) – Founder, Bledsoe Downes, PC
- April Erin Olson (’06) – Partner, Rothstein Donatelli LLP
- Jacob Moore – Associate Vice President of Tribal Relations, Office of Government and Community Engagement, Arizona State University
- Maria Dadgar – Executive Director, Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona
- Steve Bodmer (’06) – General Counsel, Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians
- Verrin T. Kewenvoyouma (’04) - Managing Partner, Kewenvoyouma, PLLC
- Nikki Borchardt Campbell (’09) – Executive Director, National American Indian Court Judges Association
- Matthew L. Campbell (’08) – Staff Attorney, National American Rights Fund
- Lawrence Roberts – Chief of Staff, Attorney General for the Mohegan Tribe
Connect and support
Kate Rosier, Executive Director
Kathlene.Rosier@asu.edu | (480)965-6204
