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LaTonia B. Johnson

Assistant Attorney General

LaTonia B. Johnson is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation from Window Rock, Arizona. LaTonia is the Assistant Attorney General of the Human Services and Government Unit. She advises, represents, and assists the Division of Social Services, Division of Public Safety, Division of General Services, and Navajo Nation Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission. LaTonia has practiced law for 17 years and is licensed to practice law in the State of New Mexico and Navajo Nation. She obtained her Juris Doctor degree and Indian Legal Certificate from the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, and Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Arizona.

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Christopher Schneider

Principal Attorney

Christopher (Chris) Schneider is originally from Denver, Colorado. He is a graduate from Metropolitan State College of Denver and earned his law degree in 1999 from the University of South Dakota School of Law. He currently works as a Principal Attorney with the Human Services and Government Unit of the Navajo Nation Department of Justice. In that capacity, he represents the Division of Human Resources and Navajo Veterans. He has practiced law for 21 years. He has previously worked as a tribal attorney for the Northern Arapaho Tribe of Wyoming and the Yurok Tribe of California, prior to that he worked as a judicial law clerk for the Chief Judge of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe. He is licensed to practice law in New Mexico, Wyoming, and the Navajo Nation, the Shoshone and Arapaho Tribal Courts (inactive), and the Cheyenne-Arapahol Tribal Courts.

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Michelle Begay Nakai

Principal Attorney

Michelle Begay Nakai is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation. She is from Black Mesa, Arizona on the Navajo reservation. She earned an undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College and earned her law degree from Arizona State University College of Law. She currently works as a Principal Attorney for the Navajo Nation Department of Justice. She represents the Navajo Department of Health and assists with the Navajo Nation's P.L. 93-638 contract negotiations. She has worked with the Navajo Nation Department of Justice for approximately 12 years and overall, for the Navajo Nation for 14 years. She previously worked as a Prosecutor and temporarily worked on special projects for the Office of the Chief Justice under the Judicial Branch of the Navajo Nation. She is licensed to practice law in Arizona and the Navajo Nation.

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Lorenzo Curley

Senior Attorney

Bar License from State of New Mexico Supreme Court, 1995;
Bar License from Navajo Nation Supreme Court, 1995;
Law Degree from University of Arizona;
M.A. from University of Michigan;
B.A. from Brigham Young University
Practice Criminal Law, Trial Law, Navajo Civil Code and Navajo Government Law;
Specialize study in Federal Tax Law and Oil and Gas Law.
Served as Chapter President and Navajo Nation Council Delegate. 2003-2018.
First job after college was Payroll Office Supervisor. 1986-1992.

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Arita Yazzie

Principal Tribal Court Advocate

Arita M. Yazzie, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, and a resident of the TsayaToh Chapter Community, New Mexico in Navajo Eastern Agency. She is a 1971 court-reporter graduate of McCormick Junior College in Chicago, Illinois. She is employed with the Navajo Nation Department of Justice since November 1983; and currently a Principal Tribal Court Advocate after becoming licensed with the Navajo Nation Bar Association in 1986.

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Navalyn Platero

Attorney 

Navalyn Renae Platero is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation (Kinyaa’áanii) and grew up in Tohajiilee, New Mexico. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Native American Studies and Philosophy from the University of New Mexico in 2018. In 2021, she earned her Juris Doctor degree and Indian Law Certificate from the University of New Mexico School of Law. Currently, she is an Attorney-Candidate and works in the Human Services and Government Unit of the Navajo Nation Department of Justice. She is licensed to practice law in the Navajo Nation. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, concerts, and spending time with her wonderful daughter.

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Brenda Anderson

Principal Tribal Court Advocate

Brenda Anderson is from Flagstaff, Arizona, and was raised in Nazlini, Arizona. She is from the Sun Clan and was born into Tabaaha (Water’s Edge Clan). Her maternal grandfather’s clan is Gila River, and her paternal grandfather’s clan is Tachiinii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). She currently resides in St. Michaels, Arizona, with her family and grandchildren.
Brenda Anderson is employed by the Navajo Nation Department of Justice and possesses over 40 years of legal expertise, including prior roles as a Tribal Court Advocate and Managing Attorney. She is an active member of the Navajo Nation Bar Association. Ms. Anderson has represented clients in both civil and criminal proceedings, as well as administrative and public benefit cases within the Navajo Nation. She has actively participated in and assisted the Navajo Nation Bar Association for numerous years, serving as Chairperson and/or committee member. Additionally, she has volunteered as a VITA tax preparer for more than 16 years and has undertaken various other community responsibilities. Furthermore, she has engaged with the Navajo Nation Courts and possesses over 40 years of legal experience.

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Marissa R. Sayetsitty

Attorney Candidate

Marissa R. Sayetsitty is an enrolled member of the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribe, and grew up on the Fort Peck Reservation in Montana, she is also half Navajo on her father’s side from Monument Valley, Utah. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice studies and Political Science from the University of South Dakota in 2018. In 2021, she earned her Juris Doctor degree and Native American Law Emphasis from the University Of Idaho College Of Law. Currently, she is an Attorney Candidate and works for the Human Services Government Unit of the Navajo Nation Department of Justice. She is licensed to practice law on the Navajo Nation. In her spare time she enjoys being with her family, crafting, painting, cooking, and reading.

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