UC Law SF‘s 2026 Summer Fellows serve Indigenous and rural communities in Northern California

 

  • UC Law SF’s Summer Fellowship Program, now in its fifth year, placed law students with legal organizations and tribal courts in rural Northern California as part of the school’s restorative justice work tied to historical harms against Native American communities. 
  • Students gained hands-on legal experience in tribal court matters and legal aid advocacy. 
  • The fellowships deepen students’ understanding of issues facing Indigenous and rural communities and encourage them to carry that focus into their careers. 

UC Law SF students applied their legal skills in rural areas of Northern California this past summer, helping to resolve cases in tribal courts and assisting community members facing evictions and seeking to clear past criminal records.  

Their work was part of the UC Law Summer Fellowship Program. Now in its fifth year, the program places students with tribal courts and legal aid organizations in the state’s northern counties. 

Beyond giving students valuable work experience, the fellowships are part of the law school’s restorative justice initiatives created in partnership with Native Americans in the Round Valley area, whose communities were subject to atrocities in the 1850s linked to the school’s founder, Serranus Hastings.

portrait of Jo Carrillo

Jo Carillo is director of the Indigenous Law Center at UC Law SF.

 The idea for the fellowship program originated with Professor Jo Carrillo, faculty director of the Indigenous Law Center (ILC), who has worked to involve students in restorative justice efforts.

“I’m very grateful to our summer placement partners, my colleague Dean Gail Silverstein, the summer fellows, and especially the clients who make this program a reality. Helping to provide legal assistance to Indigenous and rural communities is an important way that this law school can give back.”  

Portrait of Gail Silverstein, associate dean at UC Law SF.

Gail Silverstein is Associate Dean of Experiential Learning and Co-Director of the Center for Social Justice at UC Law SF

Associate Dean of Experiential Learning Gail Silverstein set up the program and helped place the students. 

“[The goal is] both to provide opportunities for students to learn and serve the Indigenous community through these summer placements and for those communities to get increased services,” said Silverstein. “My hope is that students have a greater understanding of the legal issues impacting the Indigenous community, and that they can direct either their careers, or at least their pro bono time, towards the Indigenous community.” 

Headshot of 2L Anacristina Perry.

Anacristina Perry clerked for Judge Joseph Wiseman and worked on cases for various tribal courts.

Anacristina Perry, 2L 

Anacristina Perry came into law school with a desire to gain experience in tribal law. Originally from Napa, Calif., Perry’s interest stems from her mixed background – she is a descendant of the Tewa people and currently reconnecting to the Native community– and her exposure to some of the systemic issues facing Native communities.  

Perry clerked for Tribal Court Judge Joseph Wiseman and worked on cases for the Round Valley, Hoopa Valley, Habematolel Pomo Upper Lake, Redding Rancheria, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuila Indians and Karuk tribal courts. The role included attending court hearings and researching issues such as subject matter jurisdiction and visitation rights for court memoranda and orders. 

The fellowship helped Perry recognize the essential ties between tribal courts and maintaining tribal sovereignty.  

“Each of the tribal courts have their own code and procedures, and this allows for some flexibility in how they govern,” said Perry. “This is exciting because there is potential for developing the courts and codes even further to preserve tribal court jurisdiction and sovereignty.” 

Headshot of 2L James Schweig

James Schweig spent his summer clerking for Legal Services of Northern California’s Ukiah office supporting clients facing eviction or seeking expungements.

The experience also solidified Perry’s plans for future involvement in tribal law. 

“The fellowship confirmed my inclination toward tribal law, and now I plan on pursuing that into post grad,” she said.

James Schweig, 2L 

Hailing from Willits, Calif., James Schweig wanted to give back to the community where he grew up. Schweig spent his summer clerking for Legal Services of Northern California’s Ukiah office. The office provides free legal aid to community members. Schweig’s work focused mainly on supporting clients facing eviction or seeking expungements to seal or dismiss past criminal cases.  

“The field of legal aid is rewarding because clients are grateful for your help and you feel accomplished knowing that you made a difference where you live,” said Schweig.