Arizona

Paul Petersen Involved in at Least One ICWA Case

ilpc

Here.

Indian Child Welfare Act experts agreed that the Bright Star contract potentially misled the adoptive parents by saying the law “does not apply” in their situation.

“That is just wrong,” said Professor Fort, who also serves as director of the Indian Law Clinic at Michigan State University and authored a case law book titled American Indian Children and the Law.

She pointed to a section in the Indian Child Welfare Act that states the law does apply in adoptions of Native children. And she invoked a federal regulation published in 2016, which states that the Indian Child Welfare Act applies in any “voluntary proceeding that could prohibit the parent or Indian custodian from regaining custody of the child upon demand.”

In other words, the Indian Child Welfare Act applies in voluntary adoption cases when a Native birth mother gives up her parental rights. It’s unclear from the September Bright Star contract whether the birth mother agreed to give up her parental rights after the birth of her child.

This is the gentleman who is also now indicted for trafficking Marshallese women and selling their babies. 

State Bar of Arizona Character and Fitness Scholarship

Monica Williamson

The Indian Law Section of the State Bar of Arizona is pleased to announce its Character and Fitness Scholarship.  The scholarship is intended for individuals who are applying for admission to the AZ Bar, and has been created to assist with Character and Fitness Application fees. Please find the application, which includes all the relevant details.  The deadline to apply is June 1, 2019.

Call for Submissions: Arizona Journal of Environmental Law & Policy

Monica Williamson

The Arizona Journal of Environmental Law & Policy (AJELP) is putting out an open call for submissions on a rolling basis for Fall 2018 publication. We are looking for publications focused on environmental issues and policy, specifically with the Southwest in mind. We welcome any and all perspectives! Click here for more information.

Arizona Pro Hac Vice for ICWA Attorneys: UPDATE

Kate Fort1 Comment

COMMENTS NEEDED for this rule change–go HERE.

Previous post with questions here. Proposed changes here.

Here’s the clarification–the proposed rule change provides TWO options for out of state attorneys in Arizona ICWA cases:

The first is the change to Rule 38, which requires the course (online, about 6 hours, available here). That rule is for the out of state attorneys who contemplate being involved in a number of ICWA cases in AZ over a two year period (say you’re a tribe that divides up your ICWA cases and responsibilities by region, FOR EXAMPLE).

The second change is to Rule 39 and is for attorneys that have an immediate need and/or the rare case in AZ and only plans on appearing for that case. The course is not required for a Rule 39 exception.

This is a really interesting model. Out of state tribal ICWA attorneys are STRONGLY encouraged to file comments explaining your need for special practice rules, and any suggested changes you think might improve the rules.

Thank you to everyone who helped explain Arizona practice, the UBE, and the distinction to between the rules.

Request for Proposal: IGRA and AZ Tribal State Gaming Compact (Hopi Tribe)

Neoshia Roemer1 Comment

The Hopi Tribe is accepting requests for a Contract to provide legal services to Hopi Tribe in connection with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, matters under the Arizona Tribal State Gaming Compact and applicable Hopi Tribe laws and policies. The Contractor will work on amendments, negotiations and implementations of the Compact relative to transfer agreements and/or gaming facilities.  The Contractor will assist the Office of General Counsel with transactional services which includes, but not limited to review and drafting Hopi Tribe laws and policies with respect to gaming regulatory, drafting of contracts, review of licensing issues, amendments, negotiations and implementation of the Compacts and any ancillary issues related to the aforementioned. Proposals must be postmarked by 5:00pm MST on March 2, 2018.

Call for Proposals