October 23, 2024

ASU Law students working in the Indian Legal Clinic gain critical courtroom experience in Tribal courts

This semester, student attorneys from the Indian Legal Clinic (ILC) at ASU Law have represented clients in the Ak-Chin Indian Community and Gila River Indian Community Tribal Courts under the supervision of ILC Director Patty Ferguson-Bohnee. Third-year JD students Garrett Bryan, Shandiin Herrera, Imani Hicks, Morgan Oakes and Sadie Red Eagle have each taken on the role of defense counsel during arraignment hearings in the Ak-Chin Indian Community Court.

“The opportunity to practice in a courtroom while in law school is so critical to my education,” said Herrera. “Through the Clinic, I can practice litigation skills through in-class simulations and then apply my improved skills in the courtroom. This approach fosters growth and confidence. What is unfamiliar, like addressing a judge, questioning a witness, and filing pleadings, begins to feel routine.”

Herrera added, “This has been the first time I have felt like a lawyer because I have real clients relying on me. It is such a privilege to gain a client’s trust and do my best to work on their legal issues.”

In addition to courtroom representation, ILC student attorneys have been collaborating with the Gila River Prosecutor’s Office on traffic trials. On Oct. 1, Garrett Bryan, a third-year JD student, represented the Gila River Indian Community in a civil traffic trial.

Further contributing to the clinic’s work, Law Fellow Jordan Garcia (JD '23) and Oakes worked alongside Ferguson-Bohnee to draft and submit a comment on the proposed rules regarding repetitioning under the Federal Acknowledgment Process.

Through these pivotal partnerships with the Gila River and Ak-Chin Indian communities, students in the ILC gain invaluable, hands-on experience that will shape their legal careers.

Written by Danielle Williams