Description:

The Native Law Pro Bono Project allows Stanford Law students to work in partnership with Native people and communities. The Project partners with two legal aid organizations, the Native American Unit of the Northwest Justice Project and California Indian Legal Services. We have worked with both organizations on discrete legal research assignments related to policing, child welfare, environmental, and lands issues in the past and expect similar research this year. Students will learn about legal issues facing Native communities and develop their skills in legal research and writing. Apart from research assignments, we will offer direct services clinics helping with criminal-records expungements.

NOTE: No background in Native legal issues is required. All that’s required of members is a sincere commitment to working with Native people, communities, and organizations.

Commitment Required of Members:

Each member is expected to work on one research assignment per quarter and, if direct service opportunities are available in a given quarter, participate in one direct service clinic per quarter. Participants will likely spend around 10 to 15 hours of work on the Project per quarter throughout the academic year, but can choose to commit more time depending on the student’s schedule and project needs.

Open Membership Spots: 8

Adv. Degree Student Participation: Permitted

Winter Start: Not Permitted; Fall Start Required

Eligible for Meeting NYS Bar Pro Bono Requirement: Likely

Language Ability Preference: None

Project Leaders: Matt Benjamin, Isaac Cui, David Haines, Daniel Lim, and Carson Smith