Rothstein Donatelli LLP

03/12/2025

The United Way of Tucson’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) volunteers will once again be visiting Supai for their second visit this year. They will be onsite Monday, 3/24 through Sunday, 3/30 at the Learning Center each day from 9am-6pm. The VITA volunteers provide Free Income Tax preparation services. If you desire to have them prepare your income tax returns for you, please stop by and see them.

The VITA volunteers have also teamed up with Red Rock Free Tax Assistance (RRFTA), a small non-profit setup by highly experienced volunteer CPAs who can prepare income tax returns that are more complicated than what VITA typically prepares. And like VITA, RRFTA provides the tax preparation services for free to members of the Havasupai Tribe or those living on Havasupai tribal lands. So, if you’ve been told your tax return falls outside the scope of the returns VITA can prepare, stop by and talk to the volunteers.

In addition, the VITA volunteers have also teamed up with the DNA People’s Legal Services, Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC). LITC provides free legal services for people who have received any type of correspondence from the IRS regarding their taxes. The attorneys at LITC can represent you before the IRS for any tax related issues you may have. If this is a service you need, please stop by and talk to the volunteers.

10/21/2024

Rothstein Donatelli LLP was proud to sponsor the annual Tribal In-House Council Association (TICA) Conference being held in Santa Barbara, California October 16-18, 2024. TICA's annual conference brings together tribal attorneys and attorneys representing tribes and tribal members for three days of practical information sharing and updates on the law and legal practice in Indian Country.

Partner April Olson shared her expertise on the Indian Child Welfare Act panel along with other leading practitioners in the field, while Associate Allison Athens moderated a panel on sacred sites and cultural resources. Associates Jordan Hale and Roshanna attended the conference as well.

Rothstein Donatelli LLP was proud to sponsor the annual Tribal In-House Council Association (TICA) Conference being held in Santa Barbara, California October 16-18, 2024. TICA's annual conference brings together tribal attorneys and attorneys representing tribes and tribal members for three days ...

09/26/2024

Attorney Chase Velasquez will be one of the presenters at the 2024 Martz Symposium, taking a a deep dive into the rapid changes that are unfolding in real time and how they impact our relationship to the land.

Public lands across the United States provide us with clean water, energy and food production, world-class recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat, and many other important values. Indigenous peoples have deep ties to the land informed by their traditional ecological knowledge. And public lands drive economic opportunities and job creation for rural communities. For all these reasons, the American public broadly supports the protection and sustainable use of public lands, yet they are facing unprecedented threats from resource degradation, climate change, the demands of multiple uses, and challenges in agency funding levels.

For more information: https://bit.ly/3Myqgz4

09/10/2024

Public lands across the United States provide us with clean water, energy and food production, world-class recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat, and many other important values. Indigenous peoples have deep ties to the land informed by their traditional ecological knowledge. And public lands drive economic opportunities and job creation for rural communities. For all these reasons, the American public broadly supports the protection and sustainable use of public lands, yet they are facing unprecedented threats from resource degradation, climate change, the demands of multiple uses, and challenges in agency funding levels.

Attorney Chase Velasquez will be one of the presenters at the 2024 Martz Symposium, taking a a deep dive into the rapid changes that are unfolding in real time and how they impact our relationship to the land.

For more information: https://bit.ly/3Myqgz4

09/06/2024

If you were taken into custody and a police officer advised you that you have, “a right to an attorney,” would you know that applies both before and during questioning? The New Mexico Supreme Court ruled last week that you should.

In light of that opinion, KUNM spoke with Megan Dorsey, Santa Fe attorney with Rothstein Donatelli, to break down common misunderstandings of Miranda rights.

Listen in: https://bit.ly/3ZlAk66

Santa Fe attorney Megan Dorsey breaks down common misunderstandings of Miranda rights in light of a recent state Supreme Court decision.

07/25/2024

Congratulations to the Gila River Indian Community, a long-time Rothstein Donatelli client, for once again demonstrating their visionary leadership in the development and construction of a truly unique Police Department. Sustainably designed, showcasing the Community’s culture and history, the building incorporates numerous innovative features such as the traditional healing garden and quiet spaces to provide for its officers’ wellness.

Recently, the Community held a Grand Opening Ceremony for its new Police Department with a large turnout of Community members, and a number of Tribal, State and Federal dignitaries in attendance.

07/24/2024

April Olson an attorney at Rothstein Donatelli LLP, represented the Gila River Indian Community during the oral arguments held on July 18 at the Arizona Court of Appeals.

On June 17, the Indian Legal Clinic filed an amicus curiae brief with the Arizona Court of Appeals in a case regarding guardianship and ICWA. Written by Director Patty Ferguson-Bohnee, Jordan Garcia (’23) and Honore Callingham (’18), on behalf of … Continue reading →

07/22/2024

The Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee within the New Mexico Legislature have discussed possible changes to mental health law. Rothstein Donatelli attorney Megan Dorsey provided feedback on how assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) can be used to curb low-level, non-violent crime. AOT is a civil court procedure that makes sure a person with mental illness receives the right treatment and is monitored.

NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – It’s a problem that New Mexico has been dealing with for years: people committing crimes and then being found incompetent to stand trial over and over again. To address the problem, the Courts, Corrections and Justice Committee within the New Mexico Legislature discussed poss...

07/17/2024

Ahead of a special legislative session focused on public safety later this week, local and state lawmakers have their eyes on the impacts of a recent US Supreme Court ruling that allows cities to criminalize sleeping or camping in public areas.

When asked to provide comment, Rothstein Donatelli attorney Megan Dorsey referenced the majority and dissenting opinions, which offered suggestions including expanding housing opportunities, investing in mental health and developing outreach programs.

Santa Fe mayor disagrees with decision

07/12/2024

A tribute to Robert Rothstein, who was a founding partner of the firm. His practice focused on complex civil and criminal litigation, with an emphasis on civil rights, catastrophic injury, commercial and business torts, and white-collar criminal law. He was a frequent speaker and instructor on topics of trial practice and substantive law. All of us at Rothstein Donatelli will forever miss Bob's presence, but his spirit and his legacy live on.

06/28/2024

Meet Carey Bhalla, a Mississippi native, began her legal career at the Public Defender's Office. Carey opened her own law practice in 2009, witnessing first-hand the disenfranchisement in the education system, fueling her dedication to civil rights. Her civil rights practice takes aim at sexual abuse perpetrated by predators posing as teachers, protected by ineffective administrators, as well as police abuse including egregious failures to protect the public.

Carey is admitted to the federal criminal panel in New Mexico, focusing on complex cases, including RICO, VICAR, Hobbs Act Robberies, organized drug trafficking, and homicides. Inspired by her father's journalistic and legal pursuits, Carey approaches her work like investigative journalism, uncovering truths and holding governmental agencies accountable for constitutional rights violations in both criminal and civil cases.

https://bit.ly/4drODuT

06/21/2024

Meet April Olson, a passionate advocate for tribal sovereignty and indigenous rights. A first-generation college student, April's multicultural roots drive her commitment to making a difference in the field of law. Prior to law school, she worked in social services, particularly with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), inspiring her journey to law school.

April graduated from the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, choosing it for its renowned Indian Legal Program (ILP). She holds a certificate in Indian law and the National Association of Women's Lawyers Outstanding Graduate Award. After law school, April served the Gila River Indian Community as a Prosecutor and Assistant General Counsel before joining Rothstein Donatelli LLP, where she is now a partner.

Her practice in Indian law spans criminal law, labor and employment, civil litigation, dependency law, ICWA, and guardianships and adoptions. She also serves as a Tribal Court judge for three tribes. April is dedicated to pro bono work, serving on the ASU Indian Legal Program Advisory Committee, and is an active member of various legal associations, including the Native American Bar Association of Arizona, the Tribal In-House Counsel Association, and the Indian Law Section of the State Bar.

https://bit.ly/3UMCBEK