Class of 2026: Dana Chavis on How the LLM Deepened Her Commitment to Advocacy with Tribes

Name: Dana L. Chavis 
Degree: LLM, Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy (IPLP) 
Hometown: Durham, NC 
Education: JD, North Carolina Central University School of Law; MPA, University of North Carolina at Pembroke; BA, Duke University 

What inspired you to pursue an LLM degree?  

Image

As an undergraduate student at Duke, my goal was to obtain a law degree in Indian law immediately after graduation. However, life happened, and 23 years passed before I graduated from my evening law school program. My law school did not offer any Indian law courses so I knew I would need to return to law school to pursue my goal of earning a degree in Indian law. 

Why did you choose University of Arizona Law for your LLM?  

I was a member of a leadership cohort for American Indian professionals at Campbell University and Professor Rob Williams presented to our class. I was immediately intrigued by his presentation and knew the IPLP program was the answer to my lifelong goal to earn a degree in Indian law. 

How has the LLM program helped you grow professionally and personally? Professionally, the IPLP LLM program has transitioned me from understanding legal theory to mastering the practical application of Indian law. On a personal level, this program has reinforced my resilience and deepened my commitment to advocacy work with Tribes. It has also taught me a more profound respect for the self-determination and cultures of all Indigenous peoples across the world. 

What advice would you give to future LLM students?  

Take advantage of every moment you are here in Tucson to make deep connections with other students and your professors. Attend as many events as possible to network with people in your field of study. The LLM program lasts one year, so you have a short time to soak up the essence of the city, the culture, and your studies. Make the most of each moment! 

What will you miss most about your time at Arizona Law?  

I will miss the lifelong friends from across the globe I have met in my time here at Arizona Law. I will also miss the camaraderie of being in law school with other Native and Indigenous students. I have never had the experience of attending university with people of similar backgrounds and similar goals, so it is difficult to describe how much I will miss that! 

What are your next steps after graduation?  

Since my undergraduate days, I always had a goal to assist my Tribe, the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, in their recognition efforts. However, we successfully obtained federal recognition in December 2025. Now one of my goals is to assist my Tribe as they transition into federal recognition. 

How do you hope to contribute to the legal field with the knowledge you’ve gained?  

With the deep-dive expertise gained during my LLM, I aim to serve as a resource for my peers and colleagues in Indian Country. Whether through formal advocacy with Tribes or by providing specialized consultations to other attorneys, I hope to elevate the standard of practice in the field of Indigenous Peoples law. 

If you could sum up your LLM experience in one sentence, what would it be?   

The IPLP LLM experience was a transformative bridge that turned my foundational legal knowledge into a specialized toolkit to navigate the intricate jurisdictional landscape of Tribal self-determination and federal Indian law policies.