James Washinawatok II
jamesw@mbssllp.com

Mr. Washinawatok, who is part Menominee and Akwesasne Mohawk, joined the firm in 2007 as part of the in-house attorney training program with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. He received his B.A. in Behavioral Science and Law – American Indian Studies from the University of Wisconsin in 2000, his Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 2003 and his LL.M. from the University of Arizona Indigenous Peoples Law & Policy Program in 2005.

Mr. Washinawatok has extensive prior experience in Native American Law. While in law school, he served as a legal intern with the Indian Law Resource Center in Helena, Montana (2001), and with the Ho-Chunk Nation Legislature, Black River Falls, Wisconsin (2002). After completing law school, he worked with the National Congress of American Indians in Washington, D.C. from 2003-2004 as a legal fellow, where he analyzed legislation and cases concerning tribes. He then attended the University of Arizona Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program where he worked with the Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Clinic in 2004-2005. Upon receiving his LL.M., he worked with the Nordhaus Law Firm as an associate in Albuquerque on a wide range of issues for its tribal clients. In 2003, he was awarded the Legal Education Opportunities Program Indigenous Law Student of the Year.

Mr. Washinawatok is admitted to practice law in Wisconsin, New Mexico, the Western District of Wisconsin Federal District Court and awaiting results for the State Bar of Colorado. He is a member of the Native American Bar Association and the Federal Bar Association.