Posted by Dianna Kicking Woman.
Barnhouse Keegan Solimon & West is excited to announce that Cole Bauman is joining our firm! Cole is a member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, a Wisconsin tribe, and grew up in Northern Michigan. He earned his bachelor’s degree in economics at the University of Notre Dame and graduated from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University (“ASU”) in May 2020.
Rather than begin a career in economics after his undergraduate studies, Cole reasoned that to have a truly fulfilling career he should study law, particularly Indian law. In 2017, Cole got a taste of law while attending the American Indian Law Center’s Pre-Law Summer Institute (“PLSI”) at the University of New Mexico School of Law. Cole reflected on the program, stating that it was “a guiding experience for me and a time when I was not only educated about the complexities of Indian law, but also encouraged to pursue a career in the field.” Cole’s interest in Indian law developed into a strong desire to serve Indian country and “an equally strong conviction that a career in Indian law will be the most personally fulfilling career path.” While in law school, Cole was an executive editor on Jurimetrics, the Journal of Law, Science, and Technology, and he participated in the Maricopa County Diversity Legal Writing Program. He was also on the Moot Court Board and the ASU Native American Law Students Association Chapter Board. Cole is a member of the Sandra Day O’Connor Inn of Court, and notably, Cole was named a Willard H. Pedrick Scholar in Recognition of Academic Excellence. Cole interned at two law firms during law school, but a highlight for him was his externship at the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona where he worked for the Honorable Judge Diane J. Humetewa.
Unfortunately, Covid-19 cut Cole’s externship short, resulted in law school graduation being cancelled, and postponed bar exams. Although Cole could not celebrate graduation with his classmates, he is grateful that he and his family have remained healthy. His enjoyment of PLSI in New Mexico, his exposure to private practice while in law school, and BKSW’s success in litigating important tribal issues motivated Cole to apply with the firm and move to New Mexico. Cole’s background in economics has grown into a desire to assist tribes with economic development, and he looks forward to putting his education to use for tribes. Cole is also excited to begin practicing law at the firm with its diverse practice areas critical to Indian country, and to return to some sort of normalcy. We are excited to have him.
Please join us in welcoming Cole Bauman to Barnhouse Keegan Solimon & West!
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