Paul Tsosie

Since Spring 2013, Paul Tsosie has been dedicated to the practice of law, establishing his own firm, Tsosie Law PLLC. His legal focus spans Criminal Defense, Child Welfare, and Federal Indian Law and Policy, reflecting a commitment to justice and advocacy in diverse areas. Paul's extensive experience includes serving as general counsel to various Indian tribes, offering legal expertise in economic development, government services, contracts, water, natural resources, consultation, and litigation.Notably, Paul contributed to public service through a three-year political appointment as the Chief of Staff to the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs at the Department of the Interior in Washington D.C. Paul is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, belonging to the Blacksheep Clan. His educational journey includes earning a Juris Doctorate from J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University in 2002, a Masters in Public Administration from the Romney Institute of Public Management at Brigham Young University, and a Bachelor of Science in History with a minor in Native American Studies from Brigham Young University in 1998. Additionally, he attended the Pre Law Summer Institute in 1998 at the University of New Mexico. In his extensive tribal court practice, Paul is recognized in various jurisdictions, including the Ute Indian Tribe in Utah, Navajo Nation in New Mexico, Confederated Tribes of the Goshute Reservation in Utah, Duckwater Shoshone in Nevada, Ely Shoshone in Nevada, Te-Moak Shoshone in Nevada, Tohono O’odham Nation in Arizona, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe in Minnesota, Fort Peck Indian Reservation in Montana, Menominee Indian Tribe in Wisconsin, Spirit Lake Tribe in Minnesota, Ute Mountain Ute in Colorado, San Juan Southern Paiutes in Arizona, Tule River Tribe in California, and Kickapoo Tribe in Texas. Paul's diverse legal practice reflects his dedication to upholding the rights and interests of Native American communities across the nation. Kari James, a proud member of the Navajo Nation, hails from Navajo Mountain, Utah, and belongs to the Reed People, born for the Towering House. Holding a B.S. in History from Southern Utah University and a B.S. in Anthropology from the University of Utah, Kari furthered her academic journey at the S.J. Quinney College of Law, graduating as an esteemed alumnus. During her time in law school, Kari exhibited exceptional leadership by founding the Native American Law Student Association Chapter, serving as president of the Minority Law Caucus, and contributing to the establishment of the Student Bar Association Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Recognized as the National Native American Law Student Association 1L of the Year for her dedication to advancing Native American legal scholarship, Kari also received the Utah Minority Bar Association Past President’s Scholarship for two consecutive years, acknowledging her commitment to serving and positively impacting racial and ethnic communities.