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Tribal Court Public Defense Clinic

As part of the Native American Law Center at the University of Washington School of Law, the Tribal Court Public Defense Clinic partners with the Tulalip,  Squaxin Island, Port Gamble S’Klallam and Puyallup Tribes to serve as their public defender on these reservations. Generally, tribal members do not have a right to counsel in tribal criminal proceedings, and the Tulalip Tribes sought an innovative way to address this need, resulting in the clinic formation in July 2002. The bulk of the student work is at the Tulalip Tribes where the Clinic has handled over 800 cases. 

Tribal Court Clinic News

  • NALC wins dismissal on tribal case In December, NALC won a dismissal on a complex tribal case, working with National Advocates for Pregnant Women.  We are excited to continue developing interdisciplinary partnerships with advocacy organizations.
  • Professor Ron Whitener writes on the Champions of Change blog, a weekly initiative to highlight Americans who are making an impact in their communities Pursuing Equal Justice for All Native Americans

  • Congratulations to Tribal Court Clinic Director Ron Whitener who was selected as a White House "Champion of Change."  The award features lawyers “who dedicate their professional lives to closing the justice gap in America” and is given to a small group of people who are “Winning the Future.”  This honor was presented to Whitener at the White House on October 13, 2011.

Faculty Profiles

Clinic Annual Report

View the report for 2010 - 2011


In Their Own Words: The Clinical Law Experience

Tribal Court Public Defense Clinic Faculty Ron Whitener, Molly Cohan, and Brenda Williams


Students in Navajo Nation

Last updated 11/3/2011