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About the NNBA

The Navajo Nation Bar Association (NNBA) was incorporated as a Navajo Nation non-profit corporation in 2003. The current corporation is the successor to the Navajo Nation Bar Association formed as an unincorporated association by the Judges of the Navajo Nation courts in 1978. The Judges recognized the need for a properly organized bar association to regulate the practice of law on the Navajo Nation. For over 25 years the NNBA has functioned as the professional association of attorneys and tribal court advocates practicing law on the Navajo Nation.
The NNBA, Inc. is the largest bar association which directly serves an Indian Nation. Currently the NNBA, Inc. membership totals more than 470 members, including regular, inactive and judicial status members. The NNBA’s members consist of attorneys licensed and in good standing in the surrounding states of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado, and tribal court advocates, non-law school but otherwise legally trained individuals, as authorized by the Navajo Nation Supreme Court.
The Navajo Nation Bar Association, Inc. is always looking for hard working, innovative legal professionals who enjoy working with the Navajo people and making positive contributions to the Navajo Nation.

Purpose of Establishment

The NNBA, Inc. was established for the following purposes:

To promote and encourage the highest quality and professionalism in the practice of law in the Navajo Nation and in the judicial system thereof;
To recommend to the Navajo Nation Supreme Court candidates for admission to practice of law before the Navajo Courts, so as to insure the competence of such practitioners and their scrupulous adherence to the ethical standards of the Navajo Courts and the Navajo Nation Bar Association, Inc.;
To encourage and assist in the establishment of comprehensive training programs for persons desiring to practice in the Navajo Courts and to insure the maintenance of high standards for such training;
To advise on and assist in the recruitment and selection of the most able practitioners to serve as judges in the Navajo Courts;
To advise the Courts on rule changes and other measures which would improve the administration of justice in the Navajo Court system; and<
To recommend to the Navajo Courts legislation which would enhance and improve the Navajo Court system and the ability of the Navajo Nation effectively and fairly to govern those within its jurisdiction.