Student Opportunities

Douglas R. Nash Native American Law Scholarship

Offered to an admitted Seattle U Law JD program student who is an enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe or a lineal descendant of an enrolled parent or grandparent, and in order to recognize the historical injustice toward Native people which has resulted in less opportunities for Native students to attend law school and practice law.

Learn more

Native American Law Student Association (NALSA)

This student organization seeks to:

• Advance the study of Indian Law
• Encourage scholarship, social activity, and the association of students for their mutual advancement by research and practice
• Promote closer affiliations between Native American students and other students
• Further a higher standard of ethics, culture, and civic welfare of the law school community

NALSA students have an opportunity to participate in the National Native American Law Student Association Moot Court and Writing Competition, as well as travel to the annual Federal Indian Bar Conference located in Phoenix, AZ.

All current Seattle U Law students are invited to join NALSA by signing up on the TWEN site in Westlaw.

How to sign up

American Indian Law Journal (AILJ)

An academic collaboration among students, faculty, and practitioners designed to fill a critical gap in the amount of current scholarship available to those interested in the rapidly developing field of Indian law. The work of AILJ exemplifies Seattle U Law’s commitment to social justice, given that American Indians have been marginalized and persecuted throughout their history.

• One of only two dedicated Indian Law journals in North America
• Employs an innovative online format 
• Provides students with a unique opportunity to work one-on-one with some of the most distinguished Indian law practitioners and faculty members in the country
• Provides students with a practical and marketable skill set, AILJ exemplifies the School of Law's commitment to social justice.
• Indian law implicates myriad social justice concerns, including civil rights violations, protection of cultural resources, religious freedom, the loss of land and natural resources, and the regulation of environmental quality. It also concerns a wide range of legal issues, including tax, property, contracts, gaming, and environmental law.

Learn about AILJ and browse online volumes.

Indian Law Externships

The Center works closely with law firms, businesses, tribes and federal agencies to find appropriate placements for students who are interested in gaining first-hand experience working in the field of Indian law.

Full-Time Judicial Clerkship/Externship at Tulalip Tribal Court

Description: The Tulalip Tribal Court is the most advanced tribal court system in the Northwest. The Judicial Clerk will gain unparalleled experience working closely with tribal court judges.

Duties: The Tulalip Tribal Court is a general civil and misdemeanor criminal court. The Judicial Clerk will draft orders, research motions, draft memorandum on discreet legal issues, participate in multi-disciplinary meetings for drafting of rules. The position may require confidential research on procedural or substantive Indian criminal justice issues.

Qualifications: 2L or 3L preferred. Preferred applicants have excellent writing and interpersonal skills. You must have your own vehicle and laptop.

Supervisor and Location: Ron Whitener, Chief Judge, Tulalip Tribal Court, 6103 31st Avenue NE, Tulalip, WA 98271. Telecommuting may be available depending on assignment from Judge.

Dates: Spring 2018

Compensation: This is a full time Externship for law school credit. Mileage is reimbursed.

Application Deadline:
Spring 2018: December 30, 2017

Materials: please provide a resume, letter of interest, transcript and a writing sample via email to: Brooke Pinkham, pinkhamb@seattleu.edu

For more information on the judicial clerkship at Tulalip Tribal Court, please contact Brooke Pinkham, Staff Director, at 206-398-4084 or pinkhamb@seattleu.edu

Work Study Opportunity

Students may have the opportunity to work directly for the Center on various projects, including the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and other work. For more information, please contact Brooke Pinkham, pinkhamb@seattleu.edu.