UCLA School of Law has received a $15 million donation from the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria to advance the study and practice of Native American law. The gift is the largest-ever contribution that a tribe has made to a law school and one of the biggest in history from a tribe to a university. The funds will be dedicated to scholarships for Native American and other students interested in pursuing careers as tribal legal advocates.
The Indian Law area of focus comprises courses focusing on tribal legal systems, federal Indian law, and international advocacy for Indigenous rights. A renowned resource in support of Native Nations, UCLA Law’s Native Nations Law & Policy Center advances Indian nations’ laws and institutions in furtherance of tribal sovereignty and rights of self-determination.
More than 150 leaders in human rights, critical race theory and third world approaches to international law convened at UCLA School of Law on March 8 for the symposium “Critical Perspectives on Race and Human Rights: Transnational Re-Imaginings.”
The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has awarded a grant of more than $1.3 million to UCLA School of Law to help strengthen legal institutions in California and across Indian country through the law school's Tribal Legal Development Clinic.
Native Nations Law & Policy Center
A renowned resource in support of Native Nations, UCLA Law’s Native Nations Law & Policy Center advances Indian nations’ laws and institutions while promoting cultural resource protections.
Through clinical programs and advanced coursework led by preeminent faculty experts in the field, the Native Nations Law & Policy Center addresses critical public policy issues facing Native Nations while offering students invaluable opportunities for legal training.
Welcome to the Tribal Legal Development Clinic. The clinic connects law students directly with tribal leaders, officers, and attorneys, to provide legal development services to Indian tribes. The clinic hosts non-litigation, tribally-driven projects that cover a wide cross-section of subjects. Students work in teams, consult regularly with the tribal liaison, and produce a work product under the supervision of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Tribal Legal Development Clinic Director.
Who We Are
-
TLDC Director
Mica Llerandi
San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Tribal Legal Development Clinic DirectorMica Llerandi (Diné/Navajo) is the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Director of the UCLA Tribal Legal Development Clinic at UCLA School of Law. She previously worked as a Senior Attorney at California Tribal Families Coalition where she worked on Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), tribal child welfare, and California dependency matters.
Llerandi was a staff attorney at California Indian Legal Services where she worked on a variety of legal matters, including American Indian Probate Reform Act wills, ICWA cases, administering tribal elections, and code development. Llerandi also previously worked as a domestic violence attorney on the Navajo Nation with DNA-People's Legal Services, as a deputy prosecutor with the Gila River Indian Community, and as a guardian ad litem on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. She also served as an attorney with Children’s Legal Services of San Diego where she represented minors in dependency cases.
Llerandi received her B.A. at Yale University and her J.D. at University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law.
-
Program Administrator
Rue Cepeda
San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Tribal Legal Development Program AdministratorRue Cepeda (Querétaro Hñöhñö) is Program Administrator for the Native Nations Law and Policy Center and the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Tribal Legal Development Clinic at UCLA Law.
As an alumna of California State University, Long Beach, she brings with her a B.A. in Psychology, and a Certificate in American Indian and Indigenous Studies. During her time at the university, she served as the Coordinator for the Puvungna Cultural Resource Center, serving all of the program and event needs for American Indian students; as well as the school's five cultural identity centers, through the Office of Multicultural Affairs. Rue was an Audience Researcher for educational programs at Rancho Los Alamitos; an archaeological site for the Gabrielino-Tongva; where elementary students learn from tribal elders.
Rue also serves as a recurring workshop leader for International Indigenous Youth Council - Los Angeles, and Esperanza Community Housing Center.
UCLA Law and UCLA’s Interdepartmental Program in American Indian Studies offer an integrated program of study is designed to produce law graduates with a rich understanding of tribal cultures that will increase their legal understanding, facilitate their practice in the field of Indian law and enhance their service to Indian nations. Legal study will include relevant tribal, United States and international law. Courses in American Indian Studies will address the diverse histories, worldviews, values, languages and practices of North American tribes.
FAQ About the Joint Degree Program in Law & American Indian Studies
-
What is the joint degree program in Law and American Indian Studies?
The American Indian Studies program and the School of Law offer a concurrent degree program whereby students may pursue the Master of Arts and the Juris Doctor degrees at the same time, thus completing both degrees in 4 years. Please note: The Law School is on a semester basis and the MA program is on a quarter basis.
-
How do I apply to the program?
Students must apply both to UCLA School of Law and directly to the UCLA Graduate Division for American Indian Studies. Applicants must meet the law school and department's requirements and deadlines.
-
How many students are accepted each year?
Admission is based on successful entrance into each program and varies year to year.
-
How long is the program?
4 years on a full-time basis.
-
Are there evening classes?
Degree programs at UCLA School of Law are offered on a full-time basis only. There are no evening or summer study programs available.
-
What classes do I have to take?
Satisfactory completion of (i) at least eighty-seven (87) Law School semester units, (including the first-year curriculum, specified Indian Law courses and elective courses), and (ii) at least twenty-eight (28) non-law American Indian Studies quarter units (including certain required courses and a thesis) is required.
-
How will I know when I have satisfied all the requirements?
Law students are responsible for tracking their own degree progress; however, you will have a faculty advisor for American Indian Studies.
-
Will I be able to join this program if I am already in law school?
Yes, you can apply to enter the MA in AIS as a law student. You may also apply to enter the JD program as an MA student.