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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).

Indigenous Land Acknowledgement

ILP highlights

Indian Legal JD graduates standing in front of Beus Center for Law and Society decorated in their ceremonial blankets

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

Helen Burtis
Faculty Associate

Carl Artman

Carl Artman
Oneida

Steve Bodmer

Steve Bodmer
Natchez-Kusso

Michael Hoenig

Michael Hoenig
Faculty Associate

Lance Morgan

Lance Morgan
Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska

Breann Swann Nu’uhiwa

Breann Swann Nu’uhiwa
Native Hawaiian

Paul Spruhan

Paul Spruhan
Faculty Associate

Jay Spaan

Jay Spaan
Cherokee

Pilar Thomas

Pilar Thomas
Pascua Yaqui

Patty Ferguson-Bohnee

Patty Ferguson-Bohnee
Pointe-au-Chien
Faculty Director, ILP
Clinical Professor of Law

Ann Marie Bledsoe-Downes

Ann Marie Bledsoe-Downes*
Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
Professor of Practice and Director,
Indian Gaming and Tribal Self-Governance Programs

Robert J. Miller

Robert J. Miller
Eastern Shawnee
Willard H. Pedrick Distinguished Research Scholar
Faculty Director, Rosette LLP American Indian Economic Development Program
Professor of Law

Lawrence S. Roberts

Lawrence S. Roberts*
Oneida
Professor of Practice and Executive Director,
Indian Gaming and Tribal Self-Governance Programs

Trevor Reed

Trevor Reed
Hopi
Associate Professor of Law

Tamara Herrera

Tamara Herrera
Clinical Professor of Law

Beth DiFelice

Beth DiFelice
Assistant Dean and Director of the Library, Ross-Blakley Law Library

Stacy L. Leeds

Stacy L. Leeds
Cherokee
Willard H. Pedrick Dean and Regents Professor of Law

 

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
  • Dr. Bryan Brayboy – Special Advisor to the President on American Indian Affairs, President’s Professor of Indigenous Education and Justice, ASU, School of Social Transformation
  • Diane Enos – Attorney, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
  • Jennifer K. Giff – Senior Counsel, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
  • Judith M. Dworkin – Managing Partner, Sacks Tierney PA
  • Robert Rosette – Founder and Managing Partner, Rosette, LLP
  • Peter Larson – Partner, Lewis Rocha Rothgerber Christie LLP
  • Bradley G. Bledsoe Downes – Founder, Bledsoe Downes, PC
  • April Erin Olson – Partner, Rothstein Donatelli LLP
  • Derrick Beetso – General Counsel, National Congress of American Indians
  • Maria Dadgar – Executive Director, Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona
  • Steve Bodmer – General Counsel, Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians
  • Verrin T. Kewenvoyouma - Managing Partner, Kewenvoyouma, PLLC
  • Nikki Borchardt Campbell – Executive Director, National American Indian Court Judges Association
  • Matthew L. Campbell – Staff Attorney, National American Rights Fund

Connect and support


Kate Rosier, Executive Director 
Kathlene.Rosier@asu.edu | (480)965-6204

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