2026 CILA Pathway to Law Program
Congratulations to the 2026 Pathway to Law cohort! We are excited to see the impact you will make in Indian Country and beyond!
The California Indian Law Association (CILA) is proud to celebrate the success of the 2026 Pathway to Law Program, held February 19–21, 2026 at Stanford Law School. This year, CILA was honored to welcome 23 outstanding Indigenous individuals to the program. The 2026 cohort reflects a remarkable group of elected tribal leaders, seasoned professionals, students, parents, advocates, and community members who share a commitment to serving Indigenous communities through the legal profession.
Over three days, participants engaged in a series of workshops, panels, and mentorship opportunities designed to demystify the law school application process and build community within Indian Country. The program began with a welcome dinner where participants met CILA board members and mentors, followed by a full day of programming at Stanford Law School. Sessions included guidance on the law school application process, LSAT preparation, crafting personal and diversity statements, and navigating financial aid. Participants also attended a Federal Indian Law class, received individualized personal statement feedback, and learned about opportunities such as the American Indian Law Center’s Pre-Law Summer Institute.
The final day focused on preparing students for the next step in their journey. Participants joined a law school admissions panel featuring admissions representatives from several law schools, a law student panel sharing candid advice about navigating legal education, and a discussion with practicing attorneys about careers in Native law and advocacy.
A central feature of the Pathway to Law Program is ongoing mentorship. Each participant was matched with a Native attorney or law student mentor who will continue to support them through the law school application process in the coming months. CILA is deeply grateful to the attorneys, law students, and partner organizations who volunteered their time and expertise to support this program and invest in the next generation of Indigenous legal leaders. The success of this year’s program reflects the strength of the California Indian law community and our shared commitment to building pathways into the legal profession for Indigenous students.
We look forward to continuing to support the 2026 cohort throughout their law school journeys and welcoming them back at future CILA events, including the 26th Annual California Indian Law Conference!
Over three days, participants engaged in a series of workshops, panels, and mentorship opportunities designed to demystify the law school application process and build community within Indian Country. The program began with a welcome dinner where participants met CILA board members and mentors, followed by a full day of programming at Stanford Law School. Sessions included guidance on the law school application process, LSAT preparation, crafting personal and diversity statements, and navigating financial aid. Participants also attended a Federal Indian Law class, received individualized personal statement feedback, and learned about opportunities such as the American Indian Law Center’s Pre-Law Summer Institute.
The final day focused on preparing students for the next step in their journey. Participants joined a law school admissions panel featuring admissions representatives from several law schools, a law student panel sharing candid advice about navigating legal education, and a discussion with practicing attorneys about careers in Native law and advocacy.
A central feature of the Pathway to Law Program is ongoing mentorship. Each participant was matched with a Native attorney or law student mentor who will continue to support them through the law school application process in the coming months. CILA is deeply grateful to the attorneys, law students, and partner organizations who volunteered their time and expertise to support this program and invest in the next generation of Indigenous legal leaders. The success of this year’s program reflects the strength of the California Indian law community and our shared commitment to building pathways into the legal profession for Indigenous students.
We look forward to continuing to support the 2026 cohort throughout their law school journeys and welcoming them back at future CILA events, including the 26th Annual California Indian Law Conference!
2026 Pathway to Law Volunteer Mentors
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Announcing the 2026 Pathway to Law Program Cohort
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Announcing the 2026 Pathway to Law Program, February 19-21 at Stanford Law School
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This year's program will take place February 19-21, 2026 at Stanford Law School. Tuition, lodging, and meals are included. Limited travel scholarships are also available. Additional details are in our application, here.
Applications must be submitted by December 22, 2025. Eligibility: To be eligible, you must: - Identify as American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, or First Nations of Canada. -Preference will be given to Native American students affiliated with federally or non-federally recognized California Tribes, but all students are encouraged to apply. - Be a current college student (at an accredited community college, tribal college/university, 4 year institution, or a graduate degree program) OR a college graduate. - Have completed a minimum of 2 years of college course work by the time of submitting this application; OR worked for a Tribe or Tribal entity for 4 years or more. |
Announcing the 2025 Pathway to Law Cohort
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Thanks to CILA's 2025 Pathway to Law Mentors!
Announcing the 2025 Pathway to Law Program, March 6-8 at UCLA Law
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Our 2025 program is generously co-sponsored by California ChangeLawyers and the Native Nations Law and Policy Center at UCLA Law. This year's program will take place March 6-8, 2025 at the University of California Los Angeles School of Law. Tuition, lodging, and meals are included. Limited travel scholarships are also available. Details are within our application, linked below.
Applications must be submitted by January 24, 2025. Eligibility: To be eligible, you must: - Have ties to California (this includes, but is not limited to, an intention to attend school or work in California following graduation) - Identify as American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, or First Nations of Canada. Preference will be given to Native American students affiliated with federally or non-federally recognized California Tribes, but all students are encouraged to apply. Other Indigenous applicants are encouraged to apply. - Be a current college student (at an accredited community college, tribal college/university, 4 year institution, or a graduate degree program) OR a college graduate. - Have completed a minimum of 2 years of college course work by the time of submitting this application; OR worked for a Tribe or Tribal entity for 4 years or more. |
Celebrating CILA's 2023 3L Affinity Scholar Lena Hutzler
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Join CILA in congratulating our 2023 3L Affinity Scholar, Lena Hutzler! This scholarship will support Lena as she studies to take the Bar. Lena Marie Hutzler is a Karuk tribal member and Yurok descendant from Orleans, California. In May she graduated from the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at ASU with a Juris Doctor as well as an Indian Law Certificate. During law school, Lena worked as a summer law clerk for the California Tribal Families Coalition, the Yurok Tribe and externed with the Ridges to Riffles Indigenous Conservation Group. Before law school, she worked as a Cultural Resources Technician and as a Natural Resources Technician for the Karuk Department of Natural Resources. She plans in using her law degree to continue to advocate for Native communities.
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Presenting the 2023 Pathway to Law Cohort!
The California Indian Law Association is thrilled to have successfully hosted the 2023 Pathway to Law Program this month! Thank you to all the participants, volunteers, and speakers who made it possible. Special thank you to our sponsors who funded the event: California ChangeLawyers, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, and Holland & Knight. If you would like to sponsor one of our 14 LSAT scholarships for these students, please email [email protected].
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Pathway to Law Alumni Highlight: Abby Gallardo
Join CILA in congratulating our 2022 Pathway to Law alumna, Abby Gallardo, who has accepted a Graton Scholarship, a full-tuition scholarship for students who are interested in pursuing legal careers in federal Indian and tribal law, to UCLA School of Law! Abby is a member of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana. She currently attends UCLA and will graduate in June with a Bachelor’s degree in American Indian Studies. Her lifelong dream is to practice federal Indian law and tribal law, concentrating on land claims, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), and environmental and resource protection. Abby is a first-generation law student who prioritizes community service and seeks to give back to the Native community. She thanks CILA for its mentorship and support in applying to law school.
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2023 Pathway to Law Application Is Now CLOSED
CILA is hosting our annual Pathway to Law program for prospective Native law students. The two day event will be held virtually on March 10th and 11th. The Pathway to Law program is completely free, with opportunity to receive funding for a free LSAT prep course.
If you have any questions, you can send them to i[email protected].
If you have any questions, you can send them to i[email protected].
MENTORS: Attorneys interested in mentoring CILA's 2023 Pathway to Law cohort of prospective Native law students can sign up below (application closed). Mentors will be assigned a small group of students who they will help mentor with the law school application process and on working in the legal field.
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