MSU Law – Turtle Talk

Sharon Avery is an enrolled member of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan. She currently serves as an Associate General Counsel for the National Indian Gaming Commission’s Office of General Counsel. In this role she has gained familiarity with the agency’s structure and the important role the agency plays within the Tribal gaming industry. Prior to joining the National Indian Gaming Commission, Ms. Avery worked in the Legal Department of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan for 10 years. She graduated from Michigan State University College of Law with a Juris Doctor degree and a certificate from the Indigenous Law and Policy Center.

Congratulations Sharon!!!

POSTPONED: CLE on Native American Tribal Claims and Federal Jurisdiction on Oct. 9

October 9, 2023Kate Fort

Due to prior and ongoing Congressional nonsense, this event has been postponed till March. If you have registered, you need not register again. You will automatically receive a new link. We are sorry for the inconvenience.

October 9, 2023 | 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Castle Board Room
Live Stream also available

Minnesota Credits Pending Approval: 2 hours

Course Description
Native American Tribes and Nations are self-governing sovereigns that exist simultaneously within the United States, yet separate and apart from many Federal and State laws and institutions. This panel explores the unique claims of American Indians and Alaska Natives and the Tribes, Nations, Pueblos, and Rancherias to which many belong. Specifically, it will analyze the Indian Tucker Act and its implications on Native American tribal claims within the United States. Participants will gain a thorough understanding of the jurisdictional scope and the substantive legal principles underlying tribal claims against the federal government within the United States Court of Federal Claims.

Attendees will delve into the complexities of tribal claims and fiduciary duties, while examining the historical context and legal frameworks that underpin these disputes.

Kathryn Fort, Clinic Director, will provide introduction and welcome. This panel of participants will include Judge David A. Tapp of the United States Court of Federal Claims; Joel West Williams, Deputy Solicitor for Indian Affairs in the Department of Interior; Frank Singer, senior litigation counsel with the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, representing the Defendant’s perspective; and Thomas Peckham of Nordhaus Law Firm, LLC representing the Tribal Plaintiffs’ perspective.

Some (but not all!) of the MSU Law Alums Working for Indian Country at the TICA Conference

Image November 18, 2022Kate Fort

MSU Law Webinar on Careers in Indian Law

January 21, 2016Kate Fort

Here. Geared toward current and prospective law students.

Attorneys with an understanding of Native American culture and legal issues are in high demand. Join us to learn more about the career paths of four Michigan State Law graduates who are working in Indian country. Each graduate will discuss the challenges and rewards of Indigenous Law work. Brief remarks regarding MSU Law’s Indigenous Law and Policy Center also will be offered. Following the presenters’ remarks will be a 15-minute Q and A session during which the presenters will answer questions from webinar participants.

MSU Law Job Posting: Assistant/Associate Director for Student Engagement

September 15, 2014Kate Fort

Here.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Assistant/Associate Director for Student Engagement works closely with the Associate Dean for Student Engagement to achieve the objectives of the office that include advising students on a variety of matters, including college policies and procedures, services relating to professional counseling, academic support and special accommodations, and character & fitness; investigating code of student discipline issues, etc.; career advising; managing effective communication with current students about events, deadlines, opportunities; loose oversight of student organizations, advising the Student Bar Association; and planning and implementation of Immersion Week for incoming students, and Commencement.
Qualifications

The ideal candidate should have student affairs experience in academic advising, student counseling, and working with student organizations; planning events and activities; be able to work collaboratively with students, faculty, and administration; possess excellent interpersonal skills, empathetic listener and a sensitive, clear, and firm communicator; ability to multi-task; technologically savvy; a strong aptitude in Microsoft Office applications; and the ability to create systems and databases, particularly in Excel and Access.
A J.D. degree is required.