Jim Diamond Appointed Director of New IPLP Tribal Justice Clinic
University of Arizona Law Professor of Practice Jim Diamond has been appointed director of the new Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy (IPLP) Tribal Justice Clinic.
The new clinic combines the legal work, applied research, and clinical placements of the former Indigenous Peoples Law Clinic and Tribal Courts Clinic together under one faculty supervisor, with a focus on assisting indigenous communities and non-governmental organizations on a variety of legal issues and initiatives designed to support the improvement of tribal justice systems across Arizona, the United States, and the world.
The Tribal Justice Clinic will meet this fall semester on Thursdays, 10–11:50 am.
Diamond completed his Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) with IPLP in 2014. His doctoral dissertation focused on reconciliation after mass shootings and the history of criminal dispute resolution among the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians and other indigenous communities. His academic publications include research about law enforcement in Indian Country and tribal membership litigation.
Prior to earning his SJD, Diamond practiced law for 27 years, including serving as a Connecticut Assistant State's Attorney, managing a law firm, and being a criminal prosecutor and defense attorney.
Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy as a Criminal Trial Specialist, Diamond has tried more than 30 jury trials to verdict. Over the course of his career he has represented clients in pre-trial hearings, trials, and appeals, defending more than 1,000 criminal cases. He is admitted to practice law in the states of Arizona, New York, and Connecticut, the Pascua Yaqui Tribal Court, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Court, and numerous federal trial and appellate courts.
In addition to teaching in the Bachelor of Arts in Law and Master of Legal Studies programs at Arizona Law, Diamond is a faculty member at the National Tribal Trial College, a collaboration between the Southwest Center for Law and Policy and the University of Wisconsin School of Law. He advises Indian tribes and has conducted training of tribal court prosecutors, defense lawyers, and judges on trial skills and ethics in tribal courts.
“I’m thrilled to join the world class faculty at IPLP,” said Diamond. “This faculty has literally written the book on Indian law and international human rights for indigenous peoples. The program is well known for engaging students in cutting edge litigation and advocacy, and I’m looking forward to expanding hands-on casework for our students in the new Tribal Justice Clinic. My career has emphasized two principal forums: the courtroom and the classroom. Thus my new position is a dream come true.”