Law | Native American law emphasis
Juris Doctor
Where tribal, federal and state law intersect
With more than 500 federally recognized tribes and at least 35 states with sovereign tribal nations, there is an ever-growing demand for legal professionals with specialized knowledge in tribal law.
In this program, you will study three core areas of Native American law: tribal law, federal Indian law, and the intersection of state law. You will explore a variety of topics, including tribal civil jurisdiction, criminal jurisdiction, sovereignty, natural resources management, tribal economic development and many others.
Native law students choose a track in economic development, family law, governance or natural resources management.
Offering free legal services to Tribal Citizens, Tribal Governments, Tribal Agencies and Tribal-led nonprofits, the college’s Tribal Law clinic helps you develop essential lawyering skills while engaging in community-centered and collaborative legal work.
The college offers valuable practical experiences through externships, the rigorous pro bono program, the Native American Law Student Association and the Native American Law Emphasis Externship program. You could work with a tribal nation or tribal court, assist a private law firm with a native law related case, or spend a summer in a federal agency working on Native American issues.
Overview
Related Topics
Lead the future in Native American law
Application information
University of Idaho College of Law requires electronic applications via the LSAC Online Services website. The application is available after Labor Day each year.
Explore admission requirements and apply on our Law admissions website.
Contact information
Julie Leavitt
Director of the University of Idaho Native American Law Program
jnleavitt@uidaho.edu
Jessica Millward
Director of the Tribal Law Clinic
jmillward@uidaho.edu
Tuition and fees
Pursuing your law degree at University of Idaho offers exceptional value and a nationally respected education at an affordable cost. Explore annual costs for 2025–26 — including tuition, housing, meals and personal expenses. See law scholarships and financial opportunities to make your legal education even more accessible.
Degree fit
This program could be a good fit if you:
- Hold an undergraduate degree
- Are interested in Native American rights
- Have a strong work ethic and are detail-oriented
- Have solid negotiation and communication skills (written and oral)
- Have a strong academic background
- Can think critically and analytically about complex problems
Hands-on learning
- Live client clinics
- Externship program
- Pro bono program
Student organizations
- Native American Law Program
- Federalist Society
- Business Law Society
See more Idaho Law student organizations
Internships
- Idaho Legal Aid Services
- Ada County Prosecutor’s Office
- Holland & Hart LLP
- Stoel Rives LLP
- St. Luke’s Health Systems
Career outcomes
Current job openings
1,864 in ID, WA, OR, MT and HIPotential careers and mid-career salaries
- Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers
$95,496 - Lawyers
$130,716 - Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
$143,173 - Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators
$111,700 - Postsecondary Law Teachers
$82,694
* Career data provided by Lightcast.
What inspired me to go to law school
Hear from University of Idaho College of Law’s Native American law students about what inspired them to go to law school.