Paul Tsosie, Attorney
Licensed in the State of Utah
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, Associate Attorney
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.
Kari's involvement extends beyond academia, as she has been an integral part of the legal community. As an alumna of the Pre-Law Summer Institute ("PLSI"), she returned as a teaching assistant and Research Assistant at the American Indian Law Center. Her professional journey includes advocacy at Utah Legal Services, Inc., where she represented low-income members of federally recognized tribes and their children in tribal court. Passionate about children's rights, Kari drafted pro se documents for use in various tribal courts and conducted educational outreach to empower tribal communities with knowledge of their legal rights.
In September 2023, Kari joined Tsosie Law, where she currently serves as the Chairwoman of the Utah ICWA Subcommittee. Demonstrating her commitment to tribal law, Kari practices law in the Ute Tribal Court and the Tribes of the Goshute Tribal Court. Her next milestone was accomplished when she passed the Utah Bar Exam in February 2024, showcasing her dedication to furthering her legal expertise.
Haleigh Left Hand, Research Assistant
Haleigh Left Hand is a proud member of the Chaui Band of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma and a direct descendant of the Southern Arapaho. She earned her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Missouri - St. Louis, laying the foundation for her commitment to social advocacy. Continuing her educational journey at Washington University with a focus on American Indian Alaskan Native Studies, she graduated with a Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) with a specialization in Policy.
Looking ahead, Haleigh's next milestone involves undertaking the Clinical Exam in April of 2024. This upcoming endeavor marks her commitment to further enhance her skills and qualifications, reinforcing her ability to contribute meaningfully to the field of social work. With a focus on policy and a dedication to the well-being of marginalized communities, Haleigh Left Hand is dedicated to continue her journey of effecting positive change in the realm of social services and beyond.
Megen Gale, Legal Assistant
Megen is a devoted legal assistant driven by a passion for delivering meticulous support within the legal field. Her role is enriched by a wealth of organizational skills, a discerning eye for detail, and an unwavering commitment to confidentiality and discretion, Megen approaches her responsibilities with a sense of integrity that is indispensable in the legal profession and her proficiency in handling sensitive information and adept multitasking make her an invaluable asset to the team.
Beyond her professional commitments, Megen has a passion for making a positive impact beyond the legal realm. She dedicates her free time volunteering by offering cooked meals and providing home cleaning services for free to individuals with physical disabilities in her community. Additionally, she finds joy in spending quality time with her husband and their seven feline children.