Sherri Thomas Associate Dean of Institutional Climate and Equity Professor of Law | UNM School of Law Clinical Programs
The American Indian Law Center (AILC) conducted the 2025 Pre-Law Summer Institute (PLSI) at the School of Law, continuing a tradition that has lasted for 58 years. The program, which ran from late May to July 25, included 26 students representing more than 20 tribes from across the United States.
PLSI is designed as an intensive eight-week experience that prepares American Indian and Alaska Native students for their first year of law school. The curriculum mirrors much of a traditional first semester in law school, with courses in Federal Indian Law, two core subjects required for first-year students, and advocacy and legal writing. Participants engage in drafting legal memoranda and briefs, moot court exercises, and developing key skills such as critical reading and analytical reasoning.
Samara Julia Jackson Tobey, a participant from the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe, described the impact of PLSI: “This program gave me direction. For me, confidence in my legal career comes from a devotion to our community. Without PLSI, and my traditional support, I would not be able to strategize my place in our collective service of democracy and justice in the legal field. Our families, the AILC, our professors and classmates make this career feasible with the best academic support and legal network that truly prepares us to join a strong legacy of Native American/Alaska Native leaders. I'm thankful for the space this University offers to keep making my parents and grandparents proud of their hard work and investment in a better world for our future.”
Another student, Geri Quisenberry, spoke about her time at PLSI: “This program meant a lot to me. One of the most meaningful aspects of PLSI was connecting with Native students from across the country—it reminded me that there are so many of us, and that we are not alone. Being surrounded by others who share the same passions was incredibly empowering.” She added: “We weren’t just studying law; we were learning how we could serve our communities and seeing how past PLSI students have already made a difference in theirs. It really is about the representation of Native voices. I left the program with so much clarity and feeling supported. Representation in law isn’t just important, it’s necessary. Programs like this create future leaders who understand the unique legal challenges our communities face.”
The faculty for this year's institute included Professors Sherri Thomas, Nazune Menka, Kip Bobroff, Kevin Washburn, Nell Newton, and Ann Tweedy. Teaching assistants were Jamison Deese, Taressia Garcia, Brandi Trujillo, and Noelle Phillips.
Rodina Parnall served as director for this year’s session. She stated: “This was a very talented class and we are proud to be part of the journey for this next generation of Native attorneys.”
