President - Maurisa Bell

Eastern Shoshone Tribe

Maurisa is an associate in Dentons’ Native American Law and Policy and Public Policy and Regulation practices in the DC office. She completed her undergraduate degree at Montana State University and earned her JD and an Indigenous Law certificate from Michigan State University College of Law. Maurisa attended the Pre-Law Summer Institute (PLSI) at the American Indian Law Center, Inc., in 2016. During law school, she was involved in Michigan State Law School’s Native American Law Student Association (NALSA) chapter as well as National NALSA. Maurisa has served on the NABA-DC Board in various capacities since 2020 and currently serves as President. Maurisa was raised in Wyoming and is a member of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe.

Secretary - Liz Bower

Liz Bower is an attorney with Hobbs Straus Dean & Walker. Originally from Charlottesville, Virginia, Liz received her BA in English from George Mason University and her JD, cum laude, from Vermont Law School. Following law school, Liz spent a year clerking for Justice Susan M. Carney with the Alaska Supreme Court in Fairbanks, Alaska. Prior to joining Hobbs Straus in July 2024, Liz spent several years practicing environmental law at a non-profit law firm in West Virginia, primarily litigating issues related to surface coal mining and natural gas pipelines. Outside of work, Liz loves hiking with her dog Freyja, curling up to read fantasy novels with her cat Harper, and spending time with her husband Dustin.

Member-at-Large - Heather Krick

Little River Band of Ottawa Indians

Heather is an enrolled member of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians. She is a public interest immigration attorney who uses trauma informed practices to mentor pro bono attorneys through their volunteer cases for humanitarian relief. 

Heather is licensed to practice in Maryland, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, and the United States Supreme Court. Heather received her juris doctor from Cooley Law School and her Bachelor of Science from Towson University.

President-Elect - Claire Newfeld

Claire is an Associate Attorney at Hobbs, Straus, Dean, and Walker in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. Her mixed law/lobbying practice is varied and includes matters relating to Indian education, self-determination and self-governance, Public Law 102-477, federal procurement law, and energy tax incentives. Claire has served on the NABA-DC Board since 2023 and assists with NABA-DC’s summer intern program and social events. Prior to her time in D.C., Claire graduated from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University with a J.D. and Certificate in Indian Law and received a B.A. in Philosophy from the University of California, Berkeley.

Bar Liaison - Shara Burwell

Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (Descendant)

Shara Burwell is Anishinaabe, a Descendant of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. She currently works as an associate at Hobbs, Straus, Dean, & Walker, LLP. During law school at UCLA School of Law, she was one of three inaugural Graton Scholars to receive a full-tuition scholarship for students pursuing a legal career in Native American and Tribal law and policy. She served as Co-President of the Native American Law Students Association, Co-Editor-and-Chief of the Indigenous Peoples Journal of Law, Culture, & Resistance, Research Assistant for Professor Angela Riley, and Managing Editor on UCLA Law Review. Shara graduated law school in 2024 with specializations in Native Nations Law, Environmental Law, and International & Comparative Law, and received pro bono distinction for her volunteer work in international prison reform.

Member-at-Large - Julia Giffin

Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma

Julia is a member of the Sac and Fox Nation of Oklahoma. She is an Attorney Advisor for the Office of Tribal Justice at the U.S. Department of Justice, focusing on civil and appellate matters. Julia previously worked in private practice at a law firm representing Native American Tribes. She received her B.A. from Whittier College her J.D. from Cornell Law School. Before law school, Julia attended the Pre-Law Summer Institute (PLSI) at the American Indian Law Center, Inc., and later returned as a Teaching Assistant. While at Cornell, she served as the President of her local Native American Law Students Association chapter and as the Secretary of the National Native American Law Students Association. 

Member-at-Large - John Crawford

Forest County Potawatomi Community

John Crawford is a citizen of the Forest County Potawatomi Community. He currently works as an associate at Sonosky, Chambers, Sachse, Endreson & Perry, LLP. Mr. Crawford graduated from Yale Law School in May 2025.  While in law school, John was an Editor on the Yale Law Journal.  He also served as Treasurer of the Yale Native American Law Students’ Association and participated in the Environmental Protection Clinic.  Prior to joining the Firm as an Associate, John was a Summer Associate with the Firm.

Mr. Crawford received a B.A. in History and in Global Affairs from Yale College in 2022.  He grew up in Oconomowoc, WI, and enjoys walking and playing strategy games in his free time.

Treasurer - John Morseau

Pokagon Band of Potawatomi

John Morseau is a member of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi and currently serves as Tribal Councilman. He received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and earned his JD from the University of New Mexico School of Law. John attended the Pre-Law Summer Institute (PLSI) at the American Indian Law Center, Inc. in 2015 and served as a Teaching Assistant the following year in 2016.

Member-at-Large - Lucas LaRose

Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska

Lucas LaRose is an enrolled member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, and a licensed attorney specializing in Indian Country Economic Development issues. Throughout his career, Lucas has accrued experiences in different industries spanning government contracting and corporate legal practice to government affairs while working in Congress. 

An alumnus of the University of Nebraska - Lincoln and the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law (Arizona State University), Lucas has obtained multiple certifications and honors in the field of compliance and ethics, and has contributed to news publications and media outlets on topics related to the Winnebago Tribe and Native American issues. 

He strives to uphold the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and professionalism, while continuing to support the economic development and empowerment of the Winnebago Tribe and other Native American communities.  

Member-at-Large - Lexie Holden

Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

Lexie Holden is a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. She currently works as an associate at Hobbs, Straus, Dean, & Walker, LLP. Lexie graduated from Yale Law School in 2025 and received the 2025-26 C. LaRue Munson Prize for her work on behalf of Native American tribes through Yale’s Environmental Protection Clinic (“EPC”). She served as Academic Chair for the Yale Native American Law Students’ Association (“NALSA”), a Lead Editor for the Yale Law and Policy Review (“YLPR”), and was a member of both Yale Law Women+ (“YLW+”) and First Generation Professionals (“FGP”).

Prior to law school, Lexie worked for a national Native American nonprofit dedicated to serving tribal farmers and ranchers and advancing tribal food sovereignty through policy advocacy. Lexie is an alum of the Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellowship’s 27th Class. She graduated from the University of Chicago with dual degrees in Political Science and Germanic Studies with a minor in human rights.