Page 5 - Tribal Court Law and Justice Booklet

Meet our Chief Judge

Chief Judge Ron J. Whitener

Ron J. Whitener (Squaxin Island Tribe), who is the Chief Judge,
coordinates judicial administration of the Tribal Court with
Wendy Church, Court Director. Judge Whitener also dedicates
his time to the Wellness Court in addition to several judicial projects
and has been an attorney for 23 years. Previously, he taught Indian
law, mental health law and criminal law at University of Washington
in Seattle. He also formed an institutional relationship with the Tulalip
Tribes and the Tribal Court Public Defense Clinic to provide public
defender services to the community. In 2011, he was named the
“White House Champion of Change” by President Barack Obama for
his advocacy for Native American clients. Judge Whitener was appointed
as judge by the Board of Directors in 2014.

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