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.