Rodina Cave Parnall (Quechua) is the Executive Director of the American Indian Law Center, Inc., which conducts the Pre-Law Summer Institute for American Indians and Alaska Natives. Rodina served, by Presidential appointment, as Senior Policy Advisor to the Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior. Before that, she practiced law in New Mexico and Arizona representing Indian tribes and tribal entities in legal and administrative proceedings.

Previously, Rodina served as an adjunct professor at the University of New Mexico School of Law and associate judge on the Southwest Intertribal Court of Appeals (SWITCA). She graduated from the Arizona State University College of Law with a Certificate in Indian Law and the 2001 Outstanding Law Graduate Award. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Rodina clerked for the Honorable William C. Canby, Jr. on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Meighan LaFata was born and raised on Tucson’s east side. She attended the University of Arizona, graduating magna cum laude with a degree in Public Health before attending the UA College of Law on a full academic scholarship. Meighan was a distinguished scholar at UA Law, and recipient of multiple awards including the Rose Davis Public Service Graduation Award. She graduated with a certificate in Health Law. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for Youth On Their Own, a Tucson nonprofit committed to supporting homeless youth in Pima County.

After graduation, Meighan worked at the Pima County Public Defender’s Office, where she vigorously advocated for her clients and gained experience in all aspects of criminal litigation, ranging from high-profile murder cases to misdemeanor DUI’s. Meighan is particularly adept at handling medically complex criminal cases. Meighan is respected both within the legal community and by clients. She understands the unique circumstances of each person facing criminal charges and works collaboratively to help them understand their case and their options.