NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 28, 2011
CONTACT: ERIKA MARZORATI
517/432-6848, marzorat@law.msu.edu
MSU Law Presents 8th Annual Indigenous Law Conference
East Lansing, MI — Indian Law experts from across the country are gathered at Michigan State University College of Law for the Indigenous Law & Policy Center’s 8th Annual Indigenous Law Conference.
The yearly event brings distinguished scholars, policymakers, and practitioners from across the country to MSU Law to discuss issues of indigenous justice systems, tribal sovereignty, and tribal constitutions. This year’s conference, titled “Beyond the Tribal Law and Order Act,” is being held Friday and Saturday, October 28 and 29.
The conference features keynote speakers Derek J. Bailey, chairman of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, and Troy A. Eid, chairman of the Indian Law and Order Commission. Panelists include:
- Bethany R. Berger, professor, University of Connecticut School of Law (visiting at University of Michigan Law School)
- Barbara Creel, associate professor, University of New Mexico School of Law
- Jeff J. Davis, assistant U.S. attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Michigan
- Sarah Deer, assistant professor, William Mitchell College of Law
- Leslie A. Hagen, senior counsel, U.S. Department of Justice
- John Harte, Mapetsi Policy Group
- Sarah Krakoff, professor, University of Colorado Law School
- John P. LaVelle, professor, University of New Mexico School of Law
- M. Brent Leonhard, attorney, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
- Michelle Rivard Parks, assistant director of the Tribal Judicial Institute, University of North Dakota School of Law
- Laura Sagolla, assistant U.S. attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Michigan
- Ann Tweedy, assistant professor, Hamline University School of Law
- Ron Whitener, assistant professor, director of the Tribal Court Public Defense Clinic, assistant director of the Native American Law Center, University of Washington School of Law
The Indigenous Law & Policy Center is the heart of the Indigenous Law Program at MSU College of Law. The Center has two goals: to train law students to work in Indian Country, and to provide services to institutional clients such as Indian tribes, tribal courts, and other tribal organizations on a wide variety of legal and policy questions. The Center’s “Turtle Talk” blog is a popular and influential source for up-to-the-minute updates and analysis on Indian law and politics. One of the most followed law blogs in the country, Turtle Talk is followed by tribal citizens; indigenous law scholars; and tribal, state, and federal leaders.
Michigan State University College of Law, a leading institution of legal education with a long history of educating practice-ready attorneys, prepares future lawyers to use ethics, ambition, and intellect to solve the world’s problems. As one of only a few private law schools affiliated with a major research university, MSU Law offers comprehensive interdisciplinary opportunities combined with a personalized legal education. After 100 years as a private and independent institution, the affiliation with MSU has put the Law College on an upward trajectory of national and international reputation and reach. MSU Law professors are gifted teachers and distinguished scholars, its curriculum is rigorous and challenging, and its facility is equipped with the latest resources—all affirming MSU Law’s commitment to educating 21st-century lawyers.
###
320 Law College Building
East Lansing, MI 48824
www.law.msu.edu
