Native American Affinity Group Highlights
ABOUT THE FIRM'S NATIVE AMERICAN AFFINITY GROUP
Founded in 2007, Holland & Knight's Native American Affinity Group exists to recruit, retain and empower the firm's Native American attorneys and staff.
The affinity group consists of attorneys and staff from numerous offices, including many who practice as members of Holland & Knight's Native American Law Team.
Members of the affinity group carry out its objectives by mentoring Native American law students, speaking on law school panels, serving as moot court judges for the National Native American Law Students Association National Moot Court Competition, working with Holland & Knight's recruitment team to identify and recruit Native American applicants, helping to promote the retention of Native American lawyers and staff, and planning firm events for Native American Heritage Month.
UPDATES FROM THE AFFINITY GROUP
In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, the affinity group on Nov 18, 2022, hosted Lauren Van Schilfgaarde, who discussed pressing legal issues affecting Indian Country and provided a highlevel overview of federal Indian law and tribal law.
On Nov. 11, 2022, the affinity group sponsored an event for Well-Read Native, a Native American book club, featuring Anton Treuer, author of Everything You Wanted to Know About Native Americans But Were Afraid to Ask.
In September 2022, Chambers included the Native American Affinity Group as a case study for its 2022 North America D&I Report, an annual publication that highlights diversity and inclusion (D&I) successes and trends in the legal industry.
Also in September 2022, the affinity group sponsored the Pre-Law Summer Institute (PLSI), an intensive two-month program that prepares American Indian and Alaska Native students for the rigors of law school by essentially replicating the first semester of law school.
In August 2022, the affinity group sponsored a golf tournament for firm client Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians (DCR) for the benefit of DCR's Tribal Youth Programs.
On June 20, 2022, Native American Affinity Group Chair John H. Haney was featured on one of Major Lindsey Africa's flagship podcasts, "BSing: Beyond Stereotypes," with its Managing Director & National Law Firm Diversity Practice Leader Merle Vaughn. In the podcast, John shared stories of his indigenous heritage and dispelled stereotypes about Native Americans.
AFFINITY GROUP LEADERSHIP
Chair John H. Haney has led the Native American Affinity Group for three years. John
john.haney@hklaw.com