News Release
Tohono O’odham Nation
The Tohono O’odham Nation Executive Office is pleased to announce the appointment of Howard Shanker as Attorney General of the Nation. He will assume the office starting Wednesday, August 18, 2021.
A graduate of Georgetown University Law School, Mr. Shanker has been practicing law in Arizona since 1993. He is a recognized expert in Indian law and environmental/natural resources law and has represented multiple tribes and tribal organizations in tribal, state, and federal courts in Arizona, Wisconsin, Nebraska and other jurisdictions. Mr. Shanker has also previously served as a tribal court judge and was an adjunct professor at the Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law at ASU.
In addition to tribes and tribal interests, Mr. Shanker has, in part, represented environmental and civil rights organizations including the Sierra Club, the Center for Biological Diversity, and the NAACP. Mr. Shanker was appointed by President Clinton to serve a three-year term on the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council, Enforcement Subcommittee, where he worked to mitigate disparate negative impacts of environmental/natural resource policy and regulation on minority, Native, and low-income communities.
“The Nation faces many unique issues in which the Office of Attorney General plays a critically important role. Howard Shanker brings a wealth of experience in Indian law to the position of Attorney General. His insights and expertise will be of great assistance in upholding the sovereignty of the Nation, protecting our sacred lands and waters, and ensuring the rights of our tribal citizens,” said Tohono O’odham Nation Chairman Ned Norris, Jr.
The Tohono O’odham Nation Office of the Attorney General provides meaningful legal advice and representation to all officials, agencies, departments, divisions and branches of the Nation’s government and represents the Nation in all legal proceedings and other matters that affect the legal interests of the Nation. More information can be found at www.tonation-nsn.gov.
