Skokomish Mary Pavel to Serve as Staff Director of Senate Indian Affairs

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Briefs. Discussion »

WASHINGTON – Incoming US Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Chairwoman Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, announced Friday that Mary Pavel will serve as Staff Director for the committee in the 113th Congress.

Committee on Indian Affairs

Pavel, a member of the Skokomish Tribe of the state of Washington, is an expert on Tribal law and policy. A graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Washington School of Law, Pavel became one of the first Native American women to be made a partner in a National Indian Law Firm. She joined Sonosky, Chambers, Sachse, Endreson & Perry in 1992 and became a partner in January 1999.

Pavel is the Founding President of the Native American Bar Association of Washington DC, and is a member of both the Washington State Bar Association and the District of Columbia Bar Association.

The Hill newspaper has noted Pavel is one of the nation's top tribal advocates in the nation's capital.

“Mary is well-known as one of the best and sharpest policy experts in Native American and Alaska Native policy and law,”

Senator Cantwell said.

“Mary grew up in Washington state and understands the diverse issues facing tribes in the Pacific Northwest and across the country. I look forward to working with Mary to improve economic opportunity, strengthen education and increase access to health care for all of Indian country. With Mary on board, I am confident that the Senate Indian Affairs Committee is ready to tackle tough issues and make significant progress for tribes.”

posted January 12, 2013 6:30 am est