College of Law

Cutting Sign’s Impact

Our 2022-23 and 2023-24 Cutting Sign workshops were incredibly successful, impactful events serving 96 law students from across North America. We believe this to be the largest gathering of Native law students for a program devoted specifically to developing their key career skills and opportunities.

Through this program students of Native American, Alaska Native, First Nations, and other Indigenous North American heritage came together at the S.J. Quinney College of Law in Salt Lake City for two days of intense training, networking, and camaraderie. They were joined by leading members of the bench and bar, many of whom are Native themselves, as well as a faculty comprised of career experts form leading law schools, firms, and allied organizations.

Student expenses were fully underwritten by the Cutting Sign program through the support of generous donors and the host schools themselves, ensuring that all qualified applicants were able to attend without regard to means. Covered expenses included flights, train passes, hotel, meals, and more.

This financial support is essential. Without it most students would not have been in a position to attend the program, or would have had to take on a significant financial burden to do so. Importantly, by funding all the students we were able to avoid issues of class or privilege among students, and instead focus on forging a community among the students that they will carry forward throughout their careers.

Getting Involved

If you are interested in supporting this one-of-a-kind program, please contact Lexie Kite, senior director of development at the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. We will send you information about how to support this incredible opportunity, and how your donation can help change the lives of Cutting Sign students and those they will serve after graduation.

If you are a member of the faculty or administration at a U.S. law school, a member of the bench or bar, or someone with connections to Native law students, please share this opportunity, encourage students to apply, and encourage potential donors to help us underwrite student costs.

2023-24 Program

The fall 2023 program was made possible through the joint efforts of faculty and career services staff at the University of Utah, University of Idaho, University of Washington and University of Georgia, in addition to support from the National Association for Legal Placement, the Pre-Law Summer Institute, and Fox Rothchild. The fall program was attended by students from the following 25 law schools:

  • Alexander Blewett III School of Law at University of Montana
  • Ave Maria School of Law
  • Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law
  • McGeorge School of Law
  • Michigan State University College of Law
  • Mitchell Hamline School of Law
  • Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
  • Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University
  • St. Mary’s University School of Law
  • University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law
  • University of Arkansas School of Law
  • University of California, Davis School of Law
  • University of California, Los Angeles
  • University of Denver Sturm College of Law
  • University of Idaho College of Law
  • University of Miami School of Law
  • University of Michigan Law School
  • University of Minnesota Law School
  • University of New Mexico School of Law
  • University of North Dakota School of Law
  • University of Tulsa College of Law
  • University of Washington School of Law
  • University of Wyoming College of Law
  • Washburn University School of Law
  • William and Mary Law School

2022-23 Program

The spring 2023 program was made possible through the joint efforts of faculty and career services staff at the University of Utah, University of Idaho, and University of Washington, and was attended by students from the following 20 law schools:

  • University of Colorado Law School
  • Lewis and Clark Law School
  • Michigan State University College of Law
  • Mitchell Hamline School of Law
  • Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law
  • Southern University Law Center
  • St. Mary’s University School of Law
  • Tulane University School of Law
  • UCLA School of Law
  • University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law
  • University of Arkansas School of Law
  • University of Idaho College of Law
  • University of Minnesota Law School
  • University of Montana School of Law
  • University of New Mexico School of Law
  • University of North Dakota School of Law
  • University of St. Thomas School of Law-Minneapolis
  • University of Wyoming College of Law
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School
  • Washburn University School of Law