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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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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 Candidate

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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Lena Kee

Senior Legal Secretary

Lena Kee has been employed with the Navajo Nation Department of Justice as a Legal Secretary for 24 years – under the Office of the Attorney General for 22 years working on outside counsel contracts and currently with the Human Services Government Unit for 2 years. She has also worked for the Office of the President/Vice President for three years in the early 90s for Peterson Zah Administration. She has also worked with a couple law firms in Bernalillo County for 5 years

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Thomasine Monroe

Senior Legal Secretary

I am Thomasine Monroe, a Dine woman, I am Deeshchiinii, born for the Kinyaa’aanii (Towering House Clan), my paternal grandfather is Tachii nii (Red Running into the Water People) and my maternal grandfather is Todichii nii ( Bitter Water Clan). I am one of the Senior Legal Secretary in Human Services and Government Unit with DOJ. I come from the Window Rock NN Judicial Court, court clerk and NN Human Rights Commissioner’s Office, administrative assistant. Prior to moving home (after 20 plus years living in Phoenix, I relocated to Nazlini, AZ. (where I’m from). I grew up in Magna, Utah where I went to school. I left the Navajo Reservation when I was 14 years old. While living in Phoenix, I worked for the City of Phoenix Municipal Court downtown and then for the City of Mesa Municipal Court. I also have a lot of experience in banking prior to joining the ‘’legal’’ field. Before joining the courts, I worked as the administrative assistant for the General Manager for a company coming out of California, where I traveled all over with the GM. I was also a co-owner of a small business, Nez Art Studio in Glendale, AZ. Education: Right after high school, I attend Fitness and Nutrition school online out of Georgia (thinking I was going to open my own studio) but never pursed. Shortly after, I attend Arizona Institute of Business and Technology in Phoenix, AZ taking, Advanced Financial Services and then 1999 I went back to Rio Salado Community College where I took some Criminal Fraud classes. Outside of work, I LOVE to hike, be with my kids, husband and dogs. I love animals.

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