Native American Law Center

News and Events

Congratulations to Professor Ron Whitener on his appointment to the Indian Law and Order Commission's Tribal Advisory Committee https://www.indianlawandordercommission.com/
Professor Robert Anderson was named to the National Commission on Indian Trust Administration and Reform by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. Chairing the committee is Quinault Nation President and UW Law Alumna Fawn Sharp '95.
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 Robert Anderson is teaching American Indian Law at Harvard during winter quarter. Prof. Anderson holds a five year appointment at Harvard as the Oneida Indian Nation Visiting Professor of Law.
Professor Robert Anderson is speaking on “State Criminal Jurisdiction in Northwest Indian Casinos” at the 9th Annual NW Gaming Law conference Dec 1 in Seattle.
Professor Whitener on Pursuing Equal Justice for All Native Americans.
Professor Ron Whitener was honored by the White House as a “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.
Professor Molly Cohan offered “Lessons for Success: Education, Career, Family, and Community” at the Young Native Women’s Leadership Academy on September 27, 2010 at the Tulalip Casino.
Professor Robert Anderson was appointed to the Joint Executive-Legislative Workgroup on Tribal Retrocession He was jointly appointed by Governor Gregoire, Senate Majority Leader Brown and Speaker of the House Chopp.
Professors Robert Anderson, Ron Whitener, and Molly Cohan testified before the Indian Law and Order Commission on issues of Retrocession and Public Defense in Indian Country in September. The Indian Law and Order Commission will be reporting to the White House and Capitol Hill next year with specific suggestions to improve safety and justice in Indian Country.
Professor Ron Whitener is quoted on tribal same sex marriage rights in the Wall Street Journal Law Blog

Our Founder's Vision and Legacy

Ralph Johnson The Native American Law Center was founded by the School of Law to carry on and expand the work of Professor Ralph W. Johnson. For forty-four years, Professor Johnson taught at the UW Law School and provided direct assistance to the tribes in Washington State and across the nation. Professor Johnson's scholarly work in the field of Indian Law is nationally known, his writings have been cited more than 300 times by the United States Supreme Court as well as by lower federal and state court judges. Professor Johnson created this Native American Law Center to carry on his life's work.