Experience

The Whitener Group, LLC

• United States
• Business Consulting and Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Tribal Justice Consulting

  • Jan 2009 - Present

  As a consultant I assist tribes throughout the United States in evaluation, strategic planning, development and expansion of tribal justice systems. To date, I have provided service to over 90 federally recognized tribes. As a consultant I assist tribes throughout the United States in evaluation, strategic planning, development and expansion of tribal justice systems. To date, I have provided service to over 90 federally recognized tribes.



University of Washington School of Law

• United States
• Higher Education
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Affiliate Professor of Law

  • Apr 2014 - Present

  After leaving employment with the University of Washington Law School to accept appointment as Associate Judge, and later Chief Judge of the Tulalip Tribes, my faculty appointment changed to Affiliate Professor of Law, reflecting that I am no longer an employee of the UW, but remain a member of the Faculty.

• Senior Lecturer - Clinic Director

  • Aug 2002 - Apr 2014

  Clinical Professor, Founder and Director of the Tribal Court Public Defense Clinic which served as the primary public defender for the Tulalip Tribes. I both supervised student practice and carried a partial criminal defense caseload. Also regularly taught Mental Health and the Law, and occasionally taught Federal Indian Law, Criminal Law, and Indian Natural Resources Seminar. During this time I was named the Shanara Gilbert Emerging Clinician of the Year, and as a White House Champion of… Show more Clinical Professor, Founder and Director of the Tribal Court Public Defense Clinic which served as the primary public defender for the Tulalip Tribes. I both supervised student practice and carried a partial criminal defense caseload. Also regularly taught Mental Health and the Law, and occasionally taught Federal Indian Law, Criminal Law, and Indian Natural Resources Seminar. During this time I was named the Shanara Gilbert Emerging Clinician of the Year, and as a White House Champion of Change by the Obama Administration.



The Tulalip Tribes

• United States
• Government Administration
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Chief Judge

  • Sep 2015 - Mar 2020

  I presided over criminal, child welfare, youth guardianships, adoptions, adult guardianship, civil litigation, domestic violence protection orders, and elder protection orders. Supervised four other judges.

• Associate Judge

  • May 2014 - Sep 2015



Foster Pepper PLLC

• United States
• Legal Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Of Counsel

  • Dec 2007 - Dec 2012

  I represented Native and Non-Native organizations and individuals in the areas of Indian Law including business, tribal courts, tribal jurisdiction, health care and tax exempt bond financing. I represented Native and Non-Native organizations and individuals in the areas of Indian Law including business, tribal courts, tribal jurisdiction, health care and tax exempt bond financing.



Northwest Justice Project

• United States
• Legal Services
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Staff Attorney - Native American Unit

  • 2000 - 2002

  I represented low income Native American clients in tribal, state and federal courts in western Washington State. I represented low income Native American clients in tribal, state and federal courts in western Washington State.



SQUAXIN ISLAND TRIBE

• United States
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 1 - 100 Employee

• In-House Legal Counsel

  • Jul 1994 - Jan 2000

  I represented my tribal government in a variety of areaas including treaty rights defense, business, gaming, tribal court jurisdiction and other areas of governmental representation. I represented my tribal government in a variety of areaas including treaty rights defense, business, gaming, tribal court jurisdiction and other areas of governmental representation.



SQUAXIN ISLAND TRIBE

• United States
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Fisheries and Wildlife Assistant

  • Jan 1989 - Sep 1991

  I supervised the Shellfish Management division, the Tribal Court, and provided other policy and administrative assistance to the Natural Resources Director.

• Fisheries Technician

  • Jun 1985 - Dec 1988

  Worked in the Squaxin Island Natural Resources Department, as a night security guard at the Tribe's floating aquaculture facility off-shore of Squaxin Island. Also worked as needed in the Tribe's hatcheries during spawning season.