Michele Fahley has served as the Pechanga Band of Indian’s Deputy General Counsel since August 2009. Michele graduated from UCLA School of Law in June 2003 and received her Master’s Degree in American Studies from UCLA in June 2004. Upon graduating, Ms. Fahley joined the Escondido office of California Indian Legal Services as a staff attorney, representing low income Native Americans and Tribes in a variety of Indian law issues, including cultural resources protection under state and federal law, Indian Child Welfare Act advocacy and litigation, code drafting, estate planning and will drafting under the American Indian Probate Reform Act, and brief services to individuals on a variety of matters.
As Deputy General Counsel with the Pechanga Office of the General Counsel, Michele provides legal counsel to the tribal government and all its Departments, including the Tribal Council, Tribal Court, Child and Family Services, TANF, Cultural Department, Human Resources Department, Ranger and Fire Departments, Trust Review Board (conservatorships of the estate), and others. Michele also represents the Band in all Indian Child Welfare matters in state courts. Michele has a strong background in both California State and federal cultural resource and environmental protection laws, and the government-to-government relationship enjoyed between Tribes and the federal government, while also having a wealth of experience in consultation and related concerns. Ms. Fahley has assisted with the successful completion of three tribal court grants, resulting in the drafting, approval, and implementation of tribal child welfare laws and she continues to work closely with the Band’s Tribal Court, Child and Family Services Department, and Indian Child Welfare Act Experts on a regular basis. In addition to direct work for the tribal government, Michele provides brief services to tribal members on a variety of issues, including counsel and advice regarding land ownership, the leasing process through the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and simple estate and probate issues.
Paralegals: Should a paralegal need CLE credit, the paralegal should notify LawPracticeCLE of their paralegal status, so the Accreditation Administration team can seek accreditation with the NALA for approval in their state via reciprocity.
LawPracticeCLE partners with judges, attorneys, and paralegals to produce hundreds of hours each year of the most unique and beneficial continuing legal education on the market!
