People of the ILC


Fall 2009 visit to Washington D.C., where Professor Ferguson-Bohnee testified before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs regarding the Federal Recognition process.  R to L: Derrick Beetso, Rebecca Ross, Alison Binney of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Dan Lewis, Vanessa Verri and
Prof. Patty Ferguson-Bohnee. 


What Our Students Do:

 

With faculty supervision, clinic students are involved in all aspects of practice.  ILC students may participate in:
  • Representing Indian tribes in jurisdictional or sovereignty disputes in court;
  • Preparing and filing friend of the court briefs on behalf of Indian tribes and Indian organizations in pending federal litigation that potentially affects tribal interests;
  • Drafting tribal code provisions or court rules for Indian tribes;
  • Preparing and filing comments on pending legislation or proposed administrative rules on behalf of Indian tribes, Indian organizations, or other interested Indians;
  • Representing Indian parents, children or tribes in Indian Child Welfare Act proceedings;
  • Representing Indians in victims rights, delinquency, consumer fraud, tribal enrollment, criminal defense, or other proceedings;
  • Representing interested parties in tribal court or other tribal forums where Indian Legal Clinic students are permitted to appear.
In addition to case representation, ILC students participate in a trial skills seminar.  The seminar component includes specialized trial skills’ classes directed at court room practice and tribal client representation.  Seminar classes also include special interviewing and fact-gathering techniques, and the substance and procedure unique to tribal court practice.  ILC students also participate in case staffings on Fridays to discuss whether to accept or decline cases.   
 

Time Commitment and Prerequisites:

 

Federal Indian law is a prerequisite and Evidence is a co-requisite for ILC enrollment.  Students are expected to spend approximately 300 hours in the Clinic during the semester, approximately 20 hours a week during the semester.  Students are required to hold office hours and to be available for court hearings and client meetings.  The clinic is a graded courses (6 credits), based up on established criteria, including diligence and thoroughness in representing clients, meeting deadlines, and classroom participation.  Preference is given to students seeking an Indian Law Certificate.

 
 

Application
 

Faculty and Staff
Current Students