American Indian Law

Why American Indian Law?

Because American Indian law touches on every aspect of law while retaining its own unique features, you will likely encounter it sometime during your legal career. And, in the areas of environmental and natural resources law, family law, business law, and criminal law, to name a few, American Indian law presents special challenges. There are numerous federal, state, and tribal jurisdictional issues to untangle.

American Indian law practitioners work in many capacities. They may work directly for a tribe as counsel or judge, or they may work for an outside firm that specializes in American Indian law. There are also jobs at all levels of government from tribal to state and federal. Many nonprofit and special interest organizations deal with American Indian law.

American Indian Law

Lewis & Clark Law School provides a solid academic platform for advancement in the practice of American Indian law and its diverse specialties. The law school incorporates the best aspects of classroom-based learning with opportunities for the development of practical legal skills during the academic year and summer. The American Indian Law Program brings esteemed visiting professors while offering both fundamental law courses as well as those addressing contemporary issues. The law school’s emphasis on environmental issues as well as business reflects the ongoing development issues that face many tribes across the country. Our curriculum produces graduates prepared to successfully face the challenges at the forefront of American Indian law practice.

Quinault Allottees: Nelson D. Terry Scholarship

A scholarship for students committed to environmental issues and to the success of their fellow law students. The scholarship is a gift from the Quinault Indian Allottees Association from the interest on a large judgment in a prolonged and complex lawsuit.