How to Use This Guide
Descriptions of Types of Legal Resource Groups
Bar Associations (Indian, National, Regional, State, Local)
Legal Aid and Pro Bono Services Directories
Legal Help Guides
Lawyer and Law Firm Directories
Indian Law Clinics
Dispute Resolution
Indian Child Welfare - Adoption and Custody
Estate Planning and Probate
Requesting Legal Assistance from NARF

How to Use This Guide

This guide provides information about legal assistance resources available on the Internet. If this guide has been mailed to you, use the web site address printed at the bottom of the page to access the guide on the Internet. If you do not have access to the Internet at home, contact your local libraries and ask about free Internet access.

The web sites highlighted below are organized into several groups, but many provide a wide variety of resources. Therefore, explore what the web sites have to offer, beyond what has been highlighted on this web page. This web page does not represent a complete list of all such legal assistance aids available. If you think an additional site should be linked, please let the library know. You can send an Email, or call (303-447-8760) or write.

Library Disclaimer: The library's web site contains links to information created and maintained by other organizations. Should you leave this web site and enter an external link, the library does not control and cannot guarantee the accuracy, relevance, or timeliness of information provided by linked sites. Providing a link to a web site does not constitute an endorsement by the Native American Rights Fund or its library, any of its employees, board of directors, funders or National Support Committee of the information provided by that web site. These web pages do not constitute, in any way, shape or form, legal advice, and should not be construed as a replacement for direct legal counsel. If you desire legal advice, you should consult competent legal counsel.

NARF's disclaimer.

Finally, your local libraries can be a helpful source of information and might be able to provide you with local directories of information about legal aid and lawyers. Your area might have a local bar association, for instance. (Check the business listing of your phone book.) If you need guidance on how to perform legal research on your own see the library's research guides.

Back to Top

Descriptions of Types of Legal Resource Groups

1. Lawyers and Law Firms certain law firms specialize in Native American issues. While law firms may charge a premium for some services, they may also allow discounted, or even free, support for some services. Discounted or free service availability will generally depend on (1) the type of service, (2) situation of the client, or (3) availability of attorneys practicing pro bono work.

2. Pro Bono is a Latin term meaning done without compensation for the public good. Lawyers are encouraged to provide free legal service by volunteering their time. Lawyers practicing pro bono work can be found through pro bono service directories.

3. Legal Aid every state should have a legal aid service. These services are funded with federal, state, and private contributions. The support provided may vary from free (for some services) to affordable/discounted rates for other services. Colorado Legal Services, for instance, does not charge a fee so long as the client meets certain federal income guidelines.

Income eligibility for legal assistance: To find out if you may qualify for legal aid, check out the legal aid requirements set by the Legal Services Corporation. They establish maximum income levels for individuals eligible for legal assistance based on current Federal Poverty Guidelines. In addition the Legal Services Act provides that other specified factors shall be taken into account along with income. See the "Income Level for Individuals Eligible for Assistance" published in the Federal Register (January 30, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 19)).

4. Indian Law Clinics exist at some law schools. The clinics provide law students with experience in Native American law, and at the same time provide legal services to tribes and low-income Native clients. Some clinics will work with tribal governments, courts, organizations and attorneys. Other clinics will work with Native clients on Native issues, representing them in state, federal, tribal, and government hearings. Check the clinic near you for their practice guidelines.

Back to Top

Bar Associations and Indian Law Sections

American Bar Association

American Bar Association
http://www.abanet.org/

American Bar Association, State and Local Bar Association Directory
http://www.abanet.org/barserv/stlobar.html

Some state bar associations have Indian law "sections."

Indian Bar Associations (in alphabetical order)

GENERAL BAR ASSOCIATIONS

Indigenous Bar Association
http://www.indigenousbar.ca/

National Native American Bar Association (NNABA)
http://www.nativeamericanbar.org/

This association provides links to state Indian bar associations.

STATE BAR ASSOCIATIONS

California Indian Law Association
http://www.calindianlaw.org/board/

Colorado Indian Bar Association
http://www.coloradoindianbar.org/

Minnesota American Indian Bar Association
http://www.maiba.org/

Native American Bar Association of Arizona
No website or address has been found.

Native American Bar Association of Washington, DC
http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/resources/voluntaryBars.cfm

Native Hawaiian Bar Association
http://www.hawaiianbar.org/

Oklahoma Indian Bar Association
http://www.oiba.net./

Texas Indian Law Section
Gaines F. West (President)
1515 Emerald Plaza
College Station, TX 77845
Phone: (979) 694-7000
Fax: (979) 694-8000

Utah Minority Bar Association
http://www.utahbar.org/bars/umba/about_umba.html

Indian Law Sections

Indian Law Section of the Idaho State Bar
http://isb.idaho.gov/member_services/sections/ind/ind.html

Indian Law Section of the New Mexico State Bar of New Mexico
http://www.nmbar.org/AboutSBNM/sections/IndianLaw/Indianlawsection.html

Indian Law Section of the Oregon State Bar
http://www.osbar-indianlaw.org/

Indian Law Section of the Washington State Bar Association
http://www.wsba.org/lawyers/groups/indianlaw/default1.htm

Back to Top

Legal Aid and Pro Bono Services Directories:

What is "legal aid" and "pro bono"?

Findlaw.com -- State Legal Aid Resources
http://public.findlaw.com/library/state-legal-aid.html

Indian Law Resource Center
http://www.indianlaw.org/en/projects

Legal Services Corporation -- Get Legal Assistance
http://www.rin.lsc.gov/rinboard/rguide/pdir1.htm

National Association of Indian Legal Services (Wisconsin Judicare, Inc. Indian Law Office)
http://www.judicare.org/nails.html

Neighborhood Legal Services, list of legal services by state
http://www.nls.org/lsclist.htm

Pine Tree Legal Assistance -- Links to Other Legal Services Organizations
http://www.ptla.org/links.htm

The book The Directory of Legal Aid and Defender Offices in the United States and Territories from the National Legal Aid and Defender Association (2002) provides lists of "civil legal service offices," "defender offices," and "legal support services." Contact the library for assistance accessing this material, or ask your local libraries if a copy of this book is available.

Back to Top

Legal Help Guides:

American Bar Association, Consumers' Guide to Legal Help
http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/findlegalhelp/home.cfm

Back to Top

Lawyer and Law Firm Directories:

More about lawyers and law firms.

Colorado:
Guide to Colorado Legal Resources for Native Americans - (Indian Law Clinic, University of Colorado School of Law)
http://www.colorado.edu/law/clinics/ilc/ColoradoLegalGuide.pdf

Washington:
Tribal Referral List (January 2006, 2nd Edition) - (Northwest Indian Bar Association and Washington State Bar Association, Indian Law Section)
This guide is placed on the library's web site as a courtesy to these organizations and for the benefit of the public who needs Internet access to this information. The information contained in this publication is the sole responsibility of the NIBA and WSBA.

FindLaw Lawyer Directory -- Scoll to the bottom of the web page and click on "Native Peoples Law" under the "CIVIL & HUMAN RIGHTS" topic. This link will take you to a page that will allow you to pick a state. After you have picked a state, there will be links which allow you to browse "Native Peoples Law" lawyers by location. If a native peoples law firm or lawyer is listed, a link will be provided to the attorney or law firm profile, with contact information and a full description of their practice areas.
http://lawyers.findlaw.com/lawyer/practice.jsp

Native American Attorney Profiles - Native American Lawyers - Cornell LII (Legal Information Institute) Lawyer Directory
http://lawyers.law.cornell.edu/lawyers/native-american

Martindale.com, Lawyer Locator -- Under "areas of practice " choose "Indians and Native Populations"
http://www.martindale.com/

State Affiliates of the American Civil Liberties Union
http://www.aclu.org/affiliates/index.html

Back to Top

Indian Law Clinics:

What are "clinics"?

An Internet directory of Indian Law Clinics does not exist, so clinics are listed below. These organizations are associated with university law schools; therefore, descriptions are often written with the "prospective student" in mind. If a clinic is missing from the list, please alert the library.

The Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook People Native American Indian Legal Clinic
http://www.cowasuck.org/legalclinic.cfm

Arizona: Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program, Advocacy and Clinical Projects
http://www.law.arizona.edu/Depts/iplp/students/current/clinic/index.cfm?page=current

And: Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University Indian Legal Clinic
http://www.law.asu.edu/?id=39

California: Tribal Legal Development Clinic, UCLA American Indian Studies Center
http://www.aisc.ucla.edu/textonly/tldc.html

Colorado: American Indian Law Clinic, University of Colorado Law School
http://www.colorado.edu/law/clinics/ilc/index.htm
Intake phone number: (303) 492-8126

Idaho: Tribal and Immigration Clinic at the University of Idaho
http://www.law.uidaho.edu/default.aspx?pid=65588

Kansas: State Tribal Court Practice Clinic at Washburn University School of Law
http://www.washburnlaw.edu/clinic/tribalcourt/

And: Tribal Law and Government Center at the University of Kansas School of Law
http://www.law.ku.edu/academics/triballaw/center/

And: Tribal Judicial Support Clinic at the University of Kansas
http://www.law.ku.edu/clinics/

Michigan: Indigenous Law Clinic, Indigenous Law & Policy Center, Michigan State University College of Law
http://msustatewide.msu.edu/resource.asp?ResourceID=1914

Minnesota: Indian Child Welfare Act Clinic, University of Minnesota
http://www.law.umn.edu/prospective/coursedetails.html?course=43

Montana: Indian Law Clinic, University of Montana
http://www.umt.edu/law/clinics/indian_law.htm

New Mexico: Southwest Indian Law Clinic, University of New Mexico
http://lawschool.unm.edu/indian/indian-clinic.php

New York: Center for Indigenous Law, Governance and Citizenship, Syracuse University College of Law
http://www.law.syr.edu/academics/centers/ilgc/

North Dakota: Native American Law Project, University of North Dakota
http://www.law.und.nodak.edu/npilc/nalp/

And: Tribal Environmental Law Project, Northern Plains Indian Law Center
http://www.law.und.nodak.edu/npilc/telp/index.php

Northwest: Northwest Justice Project
http://www.nwjustice.org/

Oklahoma: Native American Victims' Rights Clinic at Oklahoma City University
http://www.okcu.edu/law/NALRC/

And: The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Legal Services Clinic
University of Tulsa College of Law
3120 East Fourth Place
Tulsa, OK 74104
Phone:(918)631-2401

A partnership between the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the University of Tulsa College of Law Boesche Legal Clinic

Vermont: Indian Country Environmental Justice Clinic, Vermont Law School
http://www.vermontlaw.edu/elc/index.cfm?doc_id=164

Washington: Northwest Indian Law Clinic
http://www.nwjustice.org/NWILC/html/mission.html

And: Tribal Court Public Defense Clinic, University of Washington
http://www.law.washington.edu/clinics/tribal.html

Wisconsin: Great Lakes Indian Law Center, University of Wisconsin
http://www.law.wisc.edu/glilc/

Back to Top

Dispute Resolution

Indian Dispute Resolution Services
http://indiandispute.com/

Estate Planning and Probate

Institute for Indian Estate Planning and Probate with the Indian Land Tenure Foundation and the Seattle University, School of Law
http://indianwills.org/

Back to Top