Rothstein Donatelli

Rothstein Donatelli LLP was proud to sponsor the annual Tribal In-House Council Association (TICA) Conference being held in Santa Barbara, California October 16-18, 2024. TICA's annual conference brings together tribal attorneys and attorneys representing tribes and tribal members for three days of practical information sharing and updates on the law and legal practice in Indian Country. Partner April Olson shared her expertise on the Indian Child Welfare Act panel along with other leading practitioners in the field, while Associate Allison Athens moderated a panel on sacred sites and cultural resources. Associates Jordan Hale and Roshanna attended the conference as well. https://lnkd.in/g5F43Q3E

Attorney Chase Velasquez will be one of the presenters at the 2024 Martz Symposium, taking a a deep dive into the rapid changes that are unfolding in real time and how they impact our relationship to the land. Public lands across the United States provide us with clean water, energy and food production, world-class recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat, and many other important values. Indigenous peoples have deep ties to the land informed by their traditional ecological knowledge. And public lands drive economic opportunities and job creation for rural communities. For all these reasons, the American public broadly supports the protection and sustainable use of public lands, yet they are facing unprecedented threats from resource degradation, climate change, the demands of multiple uses, and challenges in agency funding levels. For more information: https://bit.ly/3Myqgz4

Public lands across the United States provide us with clean water, energy and food production, world-class recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat, and many other important values. Indigenous peoples have deep ties to the land informed by their traditional ecological knowledge. And public lands drive economic opportunities and job creation for rural communities. For all these reasons, the American public broadly supports the protection and sustainable use of public lands, yet they are facing unprecedented threats from resource degradation, climate change, the demands of multiple uses, and challenges in agency funding levels. Attorney Chase Velasquez will be one of the presenters at the 2024 Martz Symposium, taking a a deep dive into the rapid changes that are unfolding in real time and how they impact our relationship to the land. For more information: https://bit.ly/3Myqgz4

If you were taken into custody and a police officer advised you that you have, “a right to an attorney,” would you know that applies both before and during questioning? The New Mexico Supreme Court ruled last week that you should. In light of that opinion, KUNM spoke with Megan Dorsey, Santa Fe attorney with Rothstein Donatelli, to break down common misunderstandings of Miranda rights. Listen in: https://bit.ly/3ZlAk66

Congratulations to the Gila River Indian Community, a long-time Rothstein Donatelli client, for once again demonstrating their visionary leadership in the development and construction of a truly unique Police Department. Sustainably designed, showcasing the Community’s culture and history, the building incorporates numerous innovative features such as the traditional healing garden and quiet spaces to provide for its officers’ wellness. Recently, the Community held a Grand Opening Ceremony for its new Police Department with a large turnout of Community members, and a number of Tribal, State and Federal dignitaries in attendance.

On June 17, the Indian Legal Clinic filed an?amicus curiae brief?with the Arizona Court of Appeals in a case regarding guardianship and ICWA. Written by?Director Patty Ferguson-Bohnee,?Jordan Garcia?(’23) and?Honore Callingham?(’18), on behalf of the Native American Bar Association of Arizona (NABA-AZ), the amicus brief supported the appellees, including the Gila River Indian Community. The Arizona Court of Appeals – Division One directly invited interested parties or organizations, including the Indian Legal Clinic, to file an amicus brief setting forth their respective positions on any issue presented in the case. NABA-AZ includes members who teach, publish scholarship, and practice in the areas of Indian law and Tribal law, including members of the Arizona Bar who represent Tribes in ICWA proceedings. In addition, NABA-AZ has provided educational programs on ICWA and has commented on the rules surrounding it. April Olson, attorney at Rothstein Donatelli LLP, argued on behalf of the Gila River Indian Community during the July 18 Oral Arguments at the Arizona Court of Appeals. Gila River Governor Stephen Roe Lewis, Councilmember Jennifer Allison, Attorney Sunshine Manuel and others from Gila River attended the argumentshttps://lnkd.in/e5SRKb7d

The Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee within the New Mexico Legislature have discussed possible changes to mental health law. Rothstein Donatelli attorney Megan Dorsey provided feedback on how assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) can be used to curb low-level, non-violent crime. AOT is a civil court procedure that makes sure a person with mental illness receives the right treatment and is monitored. https://yhoo.it/4bMaGKE

Ahead of a special legislative session focused on public safety later this week, local and state lawmakers have their eyes on the impacts of a recent US Supreme Court ruling that allows cities to criminalize sleeping or camping in public areas. When asked to provide comment, Rothstein Donatelli attorney Megan Dorsey referenced the majority and dissenting opinions, which offered suggestions including expanding housing opportunities, investing in mental health and developing outreach programs. https://bit.ly/468eaps

A tribute to Robert Rothstein, who was a founding partner of the firm. His practice focused on complex civil and criminal litigation, with an emphasis on civil rights, catastrophic injury, commercial and business torts, and white-collar criminal law. He was a frequent speaker and instructor on topics of trial practice and substantive law. All of us at Rothstein Donatelli will forever miss Bob's presence, but his spirit and his legacy live on.

Meet Carey Bhalla, a Mississippi native, began her legal career at the Public Defender's Office. Carey opened her own law practice in 2009, witnessing first-hand the disenfranchisement in the education system, fueling her dedication to civil rights. Her civil rights practice takes aim at sexual abuse perpetrated by predators posing as teachers, protected by ineffective administrators, as well as police abuse including egregious failures to protect the public. Carey is admitted to the federal criminal panel in New Mexico, focusing on complex cases, including RICO, VICAR, Hobbs Act Robberies, organized drug trafficking, and homicides. Inspired by her father's journalistic and legal pursuits, Carey approaches her work like investigative journalism, uncovering truths and holding governmental agencies accountable for constitutional rights violations in both criminal and civil cases. https://bit.ly/4drODuT