From Classroom to Courtroom, California Indian Legal Services 2025 Law Fellowship Cohort: Four new fellows to support legal services for California tribal communities.

Kelly Valentine is a 1L at UC Irvine School of Law. She has been active in several pro bono projects, including the Transgender Legal Assistance Clinic, Citizenship Fair, and DACA Renewal Clinic, and participated in an alternative spring break providing expungement work in rural Northern California communities, including at a Native American Cultural Center. She is also involved in Movement Lawyering, the Environmental Law Society, If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice, and the Public Interest Law Fund. 

Kelly grew up in San Jose, California on unceded Muwekma Ohlone Land. Before law school, she worked as a domestic violence advocate and an immigration paralegal, which fueled her commitment to public interest law and deepened her understanding of how legal systems impact Indigenous and immigrant communities. Inspired by CILS’ legacy of community-led service, Kelly is eager to strengthen her understanding of federal Indian law and contribute to culturally responsive, trauma-informed legal advocacy. 

Kelly shared, 

"I am passionate about increasing access to high-quality legal services while providing holistic, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed care to clients, an approach that aligns with CILS's goals." 

This summer, Kelly will support the Southern Office’s work in ICWA dependency proceedings, Indian Wills, and expungement services. 

In her free time, Kelly enjoys hiking and camping in the Sierra, knitting, and aspires to one day create a fully me-made wardrobe. Fun fact: she once lived and worked on the boats from the TV show Deadliest Catch! 

Austin McNichols is a 1L at UC Berkeley School of Law, where she is the Co-Founder and Vice President of the Water Law Society at Berkeley, a Co-Director of the Berkeley Energy and Resources Collaborative, and an Associate Editor for Ecology Law Quarterly. 

Originally from Fredericksburg, Virginia, Austin brings a deep interest in environmental law, with a focus on water law, energy law, and promoting equity in access to environmental resources. She chose to intern at CILS to engage directly with the legal issues facing Native American communities and Tribes in California. 

Austin shared, 

"I chose to intern at CILS to engage with issues facing Native Americans and Tribes in California while gaining experience providing direct legal services." 

In her free time, Austin enjoys running and hiking in the East Bay and porch sitting. 

Daniel Little is a 2L at the University of Virginia School of Law and is active with the National Lawyers Guild. Originally from Highland, Utah, Daniel brings a passion for Native American law and a strong interest in supporting tribal communities. 

Daniel chose to intern with CILS because it is a Native-led organization with deep ties to the communities it serves, offering a rich range of training and collaborative opportunities. His academic and work experience has primarily focused on Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) cases, and he looks forward to building on that work during his time at CILS. 

Daniel shared, 

"I'm both excited and incredibly grateful to be with CILS and to receive an intensive, and broad, internship experience." 

Outside of law school, Daniel enjoys baking, reading, and working on hand embroidery projects

Brylee Flores is a 1L at UC Berkeley School of Law. She is involved in La Alianza, Queer Caucus, and serves as the elected 2L Representative for the Student Association at Berkeley Law. Brylee also contributes to the Ecology Law Quarterly and the Berkeley Journal of Employment and Labor Law and is a member of the International Refugee Assistance Project Student-Led Service Project. 

Hailing from Agua Dulce, California, Brylee brings a strong commitment to rural community advocacy. She chose to intern with CILS to deepen her understanding of federal Indian law and learn how to incorporate tribal justice into her future legal career. She is especially passionate about the intersection of water rights, tribal rights, and tribal self-determination in California. 

Brylee shared, 

"CILS has a reputation for excellent work, a deep base of knowledge, and a powerful record of community service in California's Native American communities. I am thrilled and honored to develop my understanding of federal Indian law and learn how to incorporate tribal justice into the core of my legal career."