Contact Us

Requesting Legal Assistance

The majority of CILS’ funding comes from federal and state grants (see below).  These funding sources limit who we can service and the services we can provide.  All persons, tribes, tribal organizations and entities requesting free legal assistance must participate in an intake interview to determine eligibility.

Free Legal Services and Client Eligibility:

Individuals:  CILS can provide free legal services if the person qualifies as “low income” (is at or below the federal poverty level) and has a legal issue or question of federal Indian law.  *For individuals in our Escondido office, there is no low-income requirement for assistance for Native American victim of domestic violence and stalking.

Tribes, Tribal Organizations, and Entities:  CILS can provide free legal services if the tribe, tribal organization or entity qualifies as “low income.” The tribe, tribal organization or entity must demonstrate and certify that they do not have unrestricted funds to retain private legal counsel and that 51% of their members are at or below the poverty level. The tribe’s, tribal organization’s or entity’s legal issue must involve a question of federal Indian law.

Fee for Legal Services: 

CILS may represent, on a fee-for-service basis, persons, tribes, tribal organizations and entities who are over income for free services.  CILS’ fee structure is flexible and adjustable depending on the client’s available resources and unique circumstances.   

If you are dissatisfied by legal services received, please fill out the Grievance Complaint Form.

Areas of Practice

California Indian Legal Services has been dedicated to providing the highest quality legal services to Native Americans since 1967.  Our practice areas include:

• Jurisdictional and Tribal Sovereignty Issues
• Indian Child Welfare
• Tort Claim Defense for Tribal Entities
• Water Rights
• Environmental Law
• Economic Development
• Tribal Election Oversight
• Governing Document and Code (Enrollment, Assignments, Elections,) Drafting and Revision
• Fee-To-Trust Acquisitions and Protection of Trust Assets
• Federal Recognition
• Education
• Indian Civil Rights
• Preparing Wills for Allotment Interests
• Protection of Public Benefits Due to Tribal Per Capita Payments
• Development of Tribal Justice Systems (Tribal Courts and Law Enforcement)
• Housing
• Litigation

Sources of Funding

Federal–Legal Services Corporation (LSC) grant

State–Equal Access to Justice grant

State–Interest Off Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA) grant

Federal–Department of Justice, Office Against Domestic Violence grant

Federal Title III Senior Legal Program (*Bishop office only) grant

State—contracts for special projects

Private Fee for service work (contract work)

Private Contributions and Donations

Court awarded “Cy Pres”*

*“Cy Pres”, meaning ‘as close or near to,’ refers to class action lawsuits where there has been a settlement but distribution of the funds to the class becomes impossible or impractical. In these cases, the court may order the settlement funds be distributed to organizations that serve a charitable purpose that is ‘as close or near to’ the original purpose of the lawsuit.

CILS has received Cy Pres awards from a variety of court-ordered distributions. These awards help CILS continue carrying out its mission to assist tribes and individual Native Americans throughout California.

If you are counsel in a class action case and wish to learn more about Cy Pres possibilities, please contact our Director of Administration, Patricia De La Cruz-Lynas, at (916) 978-0960 or delacruz@calindian.org.)