Lael Echo-Hawk, a member of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma, is an attorney in Seattle with the firm of Garvey Schubert Barer, specializing in public policy analysis, high-level intergovernmental negotiations and civil law. Her practice includes serving as Counselor to the Chair of the National Indian Gaming Association and the legislative director for the Native American Contractors Association. In addition, she served as in-house counsel to a tribal board of directors and subsidiary organizations with revenues in excess of $200 million. Lael successfully led a team of judges and attorneys to revise legislation governing an award-winning tribal court system. She has provided advice and strategic policy analysis to a national economic development policy organization. Lael is active in civil rights, diversity training and enhancing achievement opportunities for persons of color. She has been recognized as a “Rising Star: Young Women Who Make a Difference” in their profession and as a “40 Under 40” for the National Center for American Indian Economic Development. Lael is a graduate of the University of Washington School of Law (2003), where she was vice-president of the Student Bar Association, 2002-2003. Lael was selected by the University of Washington as one of “40 to Watch”. She chaired the Washington State Bar Association’s Indian Law Section, 2007-08, and served as co-chair on their Committee for Diversity, 2004-2008. An instructor in continuing legal education classes at local higher education institutions, she is a author of numerous papers and presentations on issues such as property tax exemptions for Improvements on Leased Tribal Trust Land. Her blog on legal issues of concern to Indian Country is “Smoke Signals.” Lael is also a Justice on the Suquamish Appeals Court, 2014-2017 and 2005 Seattle Chamber of Commerce Leadership Tomorrow alum.