Description:

The Native Law Pro Bono Project enables Stanford Law students to directly address legal issues that affect the daily lives of Native American people and communities. The Project partners with a leading legal aid organization, California Indian Legal Services (CILS). Prior assignments have involved (for example) voting rights, child custody disputes, environmental regulation, and treaty rights.

Last year, the Project helped a Native community revise a draft of their new constitution. The Project also conducted research for several active cases involving complex issues in constitutional and property law. Because Native communities are impacted by nearly all legal topics, the Project introduces students to unique Native law subjects while also offering a primer on key disputes in property, constitutional, environmental, and family law. We ultimately aim to protect the legal interests of Native communities while enhancing awareness of Native law at Stanford and beyond.

Commitment Required of Members:

Members work on one research assignment per quarter, totaling ~10 hours of research. Tasks include: examining statutes; reviewing case law to craft arguments; finding data to support policy proposals. Students may have opportunities to assist Native nonprofits with board governance. We meet 3-5 times per quarter to provide updates and clarify responsibilities. Assignments are engaging but narrow—we don’t expect students to divert substantial time from coursework or other responsibilities.

Open Membership Spots: 15

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: Marcus Ellinas, Stephanie Brown, Shelbi Fitzpatrick