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Chadwick "Corntassel" Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, selected
as elected member of The American Law Institute (ALI).

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, was recently elected to become a member of the prestigious American Law Institute (ALI).

"Historically, Cherokees have been at the forefront of legal issues," Smith said. "Back to Cherokee Nation vs. Georgia, Cherokees have used the court system to preserve our sovereignty. I am honored to carry on that tradition."

Members of ALI consist of federal and state judges, distinguished lawyers and respected law professors. Members of notable legal groups are selected on the basis of professional achievement and demonstrated interest in the improvement of law.

Smith was nominated to membership by Oklahoma Supreme Count Vice-chief Justice, Marian P. Opala.

"He (Smith) is one of those political figures who can lead, express themselves, think critically about issues and also integrate the law into practice," wrote Martin H. Belsky, law professor at the University of Tulsa, in a letter to endorse Smith’s nomination.

Smith has served as the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation since his election in 1999 and earned the vote of the Cherokee people for re-election in 2003. He holds a Bachelors of Arts in Education from the University of Georgia, Masters of Business Administration degree in Public Administration from the University of Wisconsin, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Tulsa. Prior to his service as Principal Chief, Smith taught Indian law at Dartmouth College, Northeastern State University and Rogers State University. He worked as a Cherokee Nation prosecutor and an administrator of the Cherokee Nation Tax Commission. He has also served the Cherokee Nation as a director of planning, legal historian, attorney, and director of justice. He is a former prosecutor in Creek County, a public defender in Tulsa County, and has operated his own law practice.

"Chief Smith’s experience will, in my view, enhance and enrich the institute," said Robert Henry, judge with the United States Court of Appeals, in a letter of support.

Related Cherokee Nation contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org