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Greetings,

This week, meet Master of Professional Studies graduate RaeAnna Grace Rabang. She was inspired to earn a degree in Indigenous Governance in part to connect with her roots.

Read on,

Jason

This spring, RaeAnna Grace Rabang (Shxwhá:y First Nations, British Columbia) celebrated the completion of her Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Indigenous Governance at University of Arizona Law—a milestone years in the making.

RaeAnna’s journey to her MPS began in 2012, when she was working for the Nooksack Natural Resource Department, and was also a member of the Nooksack Tribe, before she and 305 of her family members were disenrolled without explanation. 

“With all the chaos and disconnection of our battle for our identity, I wanted to learn more about our Indigenous roots,” says RaeAnna. “I pursued my education to learn more about Native American history and the laws and treaties that shaped who we are today.”

The MPS program’s flexibility and depth of Indigenous legal education gave RaeAnna the space to grow academically and personally. She appreciated the hybrid format and was especially impacted by the January in Tucson sessions. “It was really interesting to hear other Tribes’ or Bands’ (First Nations people in British Columbia) stories of success and struggles. It was a lot of information in three days, really intense.”

“The MPS connected me with the law and Indigenous Identity,” says RaeAnna, who is still disenrolled from the Nooksack Trible. She plans to continue her legal education and pursue a JD. 

“This program has been intense, eye-opening and honestly, one of the best journeys—I’m on a whole new path because of it.”

See here for the full story.

FROM THE COLLEGE

We’re bringing Arizona Law to the Valley!

Come connect with Interim Dean Jason Kreag, fellow alumni, friends of the college, incoming students and recent graduates—many of whom will have spent the day interviewing with Phoenix employers. It’s a chance to catch up, build new connections and hear what’s ahead for Arizona Law.

What: Meet the Interim Dean

When: Thurs., Aug. 7, 5–7 p.m. MST (remarks by Interim Dean Kreag at 6 p.m.)

Where: U of A Scottsdale Center, 7135 E. Camelback Road, Suite 204, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

We look forward to seeing you!

Sklar Presents at Annual Health Law Conferences at Harvard Law and Boston University

On June 6, Faculty Director of the Health Law & Policy Program Tara Sklar presented at Harvard Law School as part of the 2025 Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology, and Bioethics Annual Conference with this year’s theme on Law, Health Care, and the Aging Brain and Body. Her paper is titled “From Care to Technology-Facilitated Threats and Abuse: Legal and Regulatory Approaches to Safeguard Against Age Tech Misuse.” The conference and forthcoming book containing the presenters’ papers is to address how health care systems and political structures need to adapt to the new reality of increased longevity.

On June 9, Prof. Sklar presented at Boston University School of Law and School of Public Health for the 2025 Annual Health Law Professors Conference with the American Society for Law, Medicine & Ethics. She participated on a panel titled Navigating Telehealth’s Crossroads: Access, Quality, and the Push for Parity, and presented her latest work in progress, “Financing Telehealth: Looking Beyond Parity.”

Richotte 2nd Edition Textbook Published

A second edition of Professor and Director of the Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program Keith Richotte, Jr.’s textbook, Richotte’s Federal Indian Law and Policy: An Introduction, 2d, has published. The textbook is designed to help students, instructors and others without a legal background to learn and teach about the legal landscape that shapes Native America. Covering both the historical foundations that continue to inform the present as well as hot button issues facing Native America today.  

Woods Article Published in Georgetown Law Journal

Professor and Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Jordan Blair Woods’ latest publication titled, “The New Sexual Deviancy,” has been published in the Georgetown Law Journal. His article argues that modern laws targeting the LGBTQ+ community are founded on outdated conceptions of “deviant” behavior. It outlines how this threatens the LGBTQ+ community and envisions strategies for reform.

Huskey Article Published in University of St. Thomas Law Journal

Director of the Veterans’ Advocacy Law Clinic Kristine Huskey has co-authored “Native American Veterans: Acknowledging Their Service, Recognizing Their Needs, and Learning from Their Tribal Restorative Tradition,” which was recently published in the University of St. Thomas Law Journal. Rising third-year student Jacquelyn Francisco was also a contributor to the article.

Bergman Receives Judicial Education Award 

Director of Advocacy Barbara Bergman has received the inaugural Rozier E. Sanchez CEI Faculty Award for excellence in judicial education from the New Mexico Court Education Institute (CEI). The award was presented at the annual training conference for state court judges in Albuquerque. Prof. Bergman taught at the University of New Mexico School of Law for 28 years before joining the faculty at Arizona Law in 2016. 

Lett Receives John Strong Teaching Award

Associate Clinical Professor of Law Sylvia Lett received the John W. Strong Teaching Award, elected by students at the end of 2024-25 academic year. Prof. Lett was also the recipient of this award in 2023.

Simon Speaks at National Association of Court Staff Attorneys 2025 Conference and Book Reviewed in the Law Library Journal

On July 11, Clinical Professor of Law Diana Simon was a speaker at the National Association of Court Staff Attorneys 2025 Conference in Salt Lake City. The conference is attended by staff attorneys from all around the country from appellate courts in both the federal and state courts. Prof. Simon’s presentation highlighted five areas where staff attorneys can hone their skills and make their writing products more effective.

Additionally, Prof. Simon’s book, “The (Not Too Serious) Guide to Legal Writing,” was recently reviewed by Angela Maani, Law Library Services Librarian at the Department of Justice, in the Law Library Journal (LLJ). Since 1908, LLJ has been the official peer-reviewed journal of the American Association of Law Libraries.  

IN THE NEWS

Scaling Justice: How law schools are reimagining access to justice through technology

Reuters, featuring Innovation for Justice

Coffee importers await effects of tariffs

China Daily, featuring David Gantz 

Two US judges withdraw rulings after attorneys question accuracy

Reuters, Keith Swisher

Instagram, @uaiplp

The breadth and depth of our faculty’s experience never fails to impress. In these halls, and at speaking engagements throughout the country, they share their knowledge on everything from legal writing to veterans’ issues.

Onward!

Jason