Nichole Alex Joins Procopio’s Native American Internship Program

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

Procopio is proud to announce that Nichole “Nikke” Alex, a third year law student at the University of New Mexico School of Law and citizen of the Navajo Nation, as a 2015 recipient of the Procopio Native American Law Internship. The internship began on May 18 and extends for 10 weeks.

“The Procopio Native American Law Internship has become a popular and important tradition as a key element of the firm‘s support of the future Native American Bar, and we are so pleased to welcome Nikke into the program,” said Ted Griswold, Procopio partner and Native American Law practice group leader. “The internship program has become increasingly competitive, with dozens of applications received from around the country. Nikke is an excellent participant for this internship and joins Procopio with an impressive background working on tribal water, natural resource, educational and cultural matters.” Nikke will work on legal issues specific to the Native American governments, business and inter-tribal entities.

Nikke is a student liaison for the New Mexico Bar Association Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law Section. Prior to attending law school, she was the Executive Director for the Black Mesa Water Coalition, an environmental non-profit that is dedicated to preserving and protecting Mother Earth and the integrity of Indigenous Peoples’ cultures. She previously worked with the Diné Policy Institute applying Navajo Natural laws, and was an intern with the Tribal Science Council at the US Environmental Protection Agency in Washington DC.

Procopio’s Native American practice group extends the firm’s tradition of giving back to the communities it serves through its summer internship program for Native American law students or law students interested in Native American law. Interns gain hands-on experience dealing with everyday legal issues facing Native American communities. Launched in 2011, Procopio has welcomed 9 interns since its inception. Procopio continues to mentor its former Native American interns helping them create their network of tomorrow’s Native American lawyers. Alumni of the program are found in Alaska, Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and California.

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.

Now Accepting Applications for Procopio’s 2015 Native American Internship Program

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

Procopio has a long-standing tradition of providing growth opportunities to the communities we serve. Procopio’s Native American Practice Group extends this tradition by actively investing in the future leaders of Indian Country through offering paid internships for Native American law students or law students with an emphasis in Native American law. Please join us in identifying qualified legal students within Native American communities that may be interested in being part of this engaging opportunity.

The Native American Law Internship provides an opportunity for a Native American law student, or law student emphasizing Native American Law, to gain hands-on experience dealing with everyday legal issues facing Native American communities. Interns are involved in matters that deal with specific Indian law-related legal practice matters and other legal problems facing tribal governments and Native entities. Procopio Interns reach out to local Native American youth to provide guidance and inspiration regarding educational direction and opportunities.

Interns join a nationwide network of the next generation of Native American attorneys in an active alumni program consisting of judicial clerks, governmental attorneys and associates at law firms. If you are interested in where the past interns are following their summer with the Native American Practice Group at Procopio then you may want to look at last week’s post (Where are they now? 7 and Counting… The Procopio Native American Internship Alumni).

To learn more about our practice area and issues affecting Native people, you may consider subscribing to our blog by clicking follow on the bottom left of this page. Then, each week, you will receive up-to-date information relating to law, policy and current events in Indian Country from Procopio attorneys and guest contributors.

Applications are due Friday, October 17th by 5 p.m. PST. We would like a writing sample, law school transcript, resume and cover letter identifying why this is an opportunity you would like to pursue, any tribal governmental experience you have and why Native legal issues are significant to you. The program extends between eight to ten weeks and begins after May 11, 2015. Applications can be emailed to ted.griswold@procopio.com or sent in by mail to: 525 B Street, Suite 2200, San Diego, California, 92101.

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.