Happy Holidays!

By:  Theodore J. Griswold | Partner | ted.griswold@procopio.com
Yesterday’s Winter Solstice marked the astronomical beginning of Winter and the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. This special turning point in time offers us the perfect moment to break from our busy lives, visit with family and friends, and reflect on 2015 while looking forward to the New Year ahead.   This is a great time to pause for a minute and enjoy a Holiday Circle– to appreciate and celebrate those special people who have helped to shape and enrich our lives and our future, and let them know about it.

Whatever your religion, custom, or beliefs, I encourage you to take a moment from your daily routine to celebrate life this week, and cherish your own personal Holiday Circle.

Lawyers and staff of Procopio’s Native American Law practice group thank you for your readership and wish you peace and prosperity in 2016.

 

Ted is head of the Native American Law practice group and primary editor for the Blogging Circle. Connect with Ted at ted.griswold@procopio.com and 619.515.3277

Governor’s Office Wants Your Thoughts on New AB 52 CEQA Regulations

By: Gabriela Rios | Law Clerk | gabriela.rios@procopio.com
Theodore J. Griswold | Partner | ted.griswold@procopio.com

The California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) is requesting comment on proposed guidelines to incorporate Tribal Cultural Resources in its sample initial study form pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), as amended by Assembly Bill 52 (AB 52) in 2014. The Discussion Draft of Proposed Changes can be viewed here.

2016 Procopio Native American Practice Group Internships Awarded to Heather Torres and Kele Bigknife

By: Theodore J. Griswold | Partner | ted.griswold@procopio.com

Procopio is pleased to welcome Ms. Heather Torres (UCLA School of Law) and Mr. Kele Bigknife (University of Michigan School of Law) as the 2016 summer interns for the firm’s Native American Practice Group. The internship program is designed to help increase opportunities for the Native American Bar as tomorrow’s leaders prepare to start their legal careers.

Each year Procopio attorneys and partners meet in consultation with tribal leaders throughout Indian Country to identify law students with qualities necessary to work along Native communities to meet their development goals. The firm has relationships with more than forty law schools with Federal Indian Law programs and advertises nationally in Native-owned and operated media channels—including Indianz.com and on Turtle Talk. It is from this applicant pool of the top candidates of law students from across the country interested in working with tribal governments that Procopio selects its two summer interns each year.