A Note from Founder Kristen Cline

Hi there,

I'm glad you found your way here. You might have realized by now that I'm not your typical attorney. I've done that before and, quite frankly, it didn't work for me. In fact, it made me realize that I really wanted to live by the motto, "Life is short, let's make the most of it."

But I learned a lot along the way and it's my passion to share what I've learned with you in ways that are accessible. I believe in chasing big dreams and trying to make my corner of the world a little bit better, and I'm here to support you do just that, too.

Warmly,

Kristen

About Kristen

Kristen's legal practice focuses on empowering visionaries who are working hard to support collective transformation in their communities. She has spent her legal career as outside general counsel providing support to organizations of all kinds, including public school districts, Tribally-controlled community grant schools, nonprofits, small businesses, Tribal governments, Alaska Native Corporations, and inter-Tribal consortia. Kristen has also served as a judicial law clerk with the United States District Court for the District of Arizona and the New Mexico Court of Appeals.

Education

Kristen is a three-time graduate of the University of Oklahoma and holds degrees in Native American Studies (BA), Regional and City Planning (MRCP), and law (JD). She stayed busy during law school as an editor on the Oklahoma Law Review, a graduate teaching assistant for the Master of Legal Studies Program in Indigenous Peoples Law, and as a waitress at a local restaurant. Kristen also completed externships with the United States District Court for the District of Arizona and the United States Senate Indian Affairs Committee.

Publications

Author, Changing Currents: Climate Change and Stakeholder Involvement in the Colorado River Basin, 69 Okla. Law. Rev. 285 (2017).

Contributor, Planning for Wicked Problems: A Planner's Guide to Land Use Law, Routledge 1st ed. (2015).

Select Presentations and Trainings

“Introduction to the American Legal System,” University of Maryland Graduate Student Lecture (2023)

“Supporting Indigenous Food Sovereignty,” University of Maryland Graduate Student Lecture (2022)

“Planning for Winter: Taos Ski Valley, Climate Change, and the Evolution of Winter Sports Corporations,” University of New Mexico School of Law Job Talk (2019)

“Unique Legal Challenges for Small and Rural School Districts,” Arizona School Board Association Law Conference (2019)

“The IEP Development Process: Handling Difficult Issues,” National Business Institute (2019)

“Special Education Discipline Training,” Client Training (2019)

“Sexual Harassment in the Workplace,” Client Training (2019)

“Calendars, Communication, and Case Law: Addressing Challenges in Special Education Law Compliance,” Native American Grant School Association Winter Conference (2018)

“Introduction to Special Education,” Native American Grant School Association Summer Conference (2018)