At NARF, we are dedicated to supporting the next generation of Indian law lawyers and one way we do this is through our Law Clerk Program. NARF’s summer projects are extremely challenging because NARF practices before federal, state, and tribal forums, and because most of our cases—whether at the administrative, trial, or appellate level—are complex and involve novel legal issues.
This summer, the Law Clerk Program is again supported by a grant from the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians through the Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund. Nadine Padilla, a law clerk in NARF’s Boulder, Colorado, office, was chosen to be the recipient of the Siletz grant.
Nadine Padilla is Navajo and Pueblo (Isleta/Laguna) from Bluewater Lake, NM. She is completing her third year at the University of New Mexico School of Law and is in the Natural Resources certificate program. Before law school, Nadine worked with a community organization to protect Mt. Taylor, a mountain sacred to her community, from proposed uranium development. She plans to continue this work after law school. Nadine has one son, Noah (4yo), and they love to read, swim, do puzzles, and go for walks together. Nadine is Editor-in-Chief for the Natural Resources Journal, a writing tutor for first year law students, a volunteer with Native American Law Student Association, and was a Teaching Assistant for the Pre-Law Summer Institute program. Nadine received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, and her Master’s in Communication from Gonzaga University.
Welcome, Nadine!
NARF thanks the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians and the Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund for its grant to further the NARF Law Clerk Program, which allows NARF to mentor Native law students like Nadine and allows the students to make an impact on Indian law and to Native people during their term at NARF. The Siletz Grant also allows NARF to continue our mission to develop Indian law and educate the public about Indian rights, laws, and issues.
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