Experience

AMERIND

• United States
• Insurance
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Senior Legal Counsel and Project Manager

  • Oct 2022 - Present



National Congress of American Indians

• United States
• Government Relations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director, Policy & Legal

  • Aug 2021 - Oct 2022



Intertribal Agriculture Council

• United States
• Government Relations Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Policy and Government Relations

  • Nov 2020 - Jul 2021



Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative - University of Arkansas School of Law

• Director

  • Nov 2018 - Nov 2020

• Policy Director & Staff Attorney

  • Mar 2017 - Oct 2018

  The Initiative enhances health and wellness in tribal communities by advancing healthy food systems, diversified economic development and cultural food traditions in Indian Country. We empower tribal governments, farmers, ranchers and food businesses by providing strategic planning and technical assistance; by creating new academic and professional executive education programs in food systems and agriculture; and by increasing student enrollment in land grant universities in food and agricultural related disciplines.



National Congress of American Indians

• United States
• Government Relations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Staff Attorney & Legislative Counsel

  • Jan 2015 - Feb 2017

  • Advocate on behalf of American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments before the White House, U.S. Congress, and federal agencies on land, natural resources, forestry, fisheries, water, climate change, energy, trust modernization, subsistence, nutrition, agriculture, self-governance, education, sacred places, and voting rights.• Prepare advocacy materials for NCAI board members and membership, including briefing documents, policy updates, issue specific one-pagers, budget requests, written and oral testimony for congressional hearings, and letters to Congress and the Administration.• Develop internal organizational legal policies and review, negotiate, and approve external legal contracts for services, conference venues, and consultants.• Support the Tribal Supreme Court Project through the development of amicus curiae briefs and participating in moot oral arguments with Supreme Court practitioners.• Represent NCAI at regional tribal and partner organizations’ conferences by speaking on current legislative and legal issues, as well as participate in strategy sessions.

• Legislative Associate

  • May 2013 - Jan 2015

  • Advocate on behalf of American Indian and Alaska Native tribal governments before the White House, U.S. Congress, and federal agencies on land, natural resources, forestry, fisheries, water, climate change, energy, trust modernization, subsistence, nutrition, agriculture, self-governance, education, sacred places, and voting rights.• Prepare advocacy materials for NCAI board members and membership, including briefing documents, policy updates, issue specific one-pagers, budget requests, written and oral testimony for congressional hearings, and letters to Congress and the Administration.• Represent NCAI at regional tribal and partner organizations’ conferences by speaking on current legislative and legal issues, as well as participate in strategy sessions.



Native American Rights Fund

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Legal Administrative Assistant/Office Manager & Law Clerk

  • Apr 2010 - May 2013

  • Researched case law and legislative history to draft memoranda addressing clients concerns regarding Congressional settlements, federal court briefings, and legislative advocacy methodologies. • Drafted written and oral Congressional testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. • Collaborated with attorneys regarding legislative advocacy for Native American settlement claims against the U.S. • Monitored Indian law cases pending before the U.S. Supreme Court and update the Tribal Supreme Court Project website. • Edited and cite checked publications, including Labor and Employment Law in Indian Country by Kaighn Smith, Jr. and created PowerPoint slides for Labor an Employment Law in Indian Country webinar series and training seminar. • Promoted NARF’s work at various federal agencies’ Combined Federal Campaign charity events, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and at the National Congress of American Indians’ Annual Conference.



American University Washington College of Law - General Practice Evening Legal Clinic

• Washington D.C. Metro Area

• Certified Student Attorney

  • Aug 2011 - Dec 2011

  • Represented clients on family law matters in Montgomery County, Maryland, including: a Pendente Lite hearing and a court-ordered alternative dispute resolution settlement session. • Drafted complaints, requests for document production, and opposing counsel correspondence letters. • Represented clients on family law matters in Montgomery County, Maryland, including: a Pendente Lite hearing and a court-ordered alternative dispute resolution settlement session. • Drafted complaints, requests for document production, and opposing counsel correspondence letters.



Olsson Frank Weeda Terman Matz PC

• United States
• Law Practice
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Paralegal & Legislative Assistant

  • Aug 2007 - Mar 2010

  • Represented Native American tribes before the White House, the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Congressional offices, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Department of Justice, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture on reparation, tribal justice, and agriculture issues. • Analyzed pending federal and state legislation and regulations regarding health care, wholesale drug distribution, and payments to medical professionals and draft memorandum to inform clients of new developments. • Attended congressional hearings and drafted memoranda summarizing the hearings for clients.