By Morgan Taylor, Reporter
OKMULGEE, Oklahoma – Muscogee (Creek) Nation Supreme Court Justice Andrew Adams III was awarded the National Native American Law Student Association’s (NALSA) Alumnus of the year award for 2021.
Justice Adams was nominated and confirmed in 2012 to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Supreme Court. He is currently serving his second six-year term as a Justice for the MCN Supreme Court. Justice Adams has also served as Chief Justice during 2014-2019 term and Vice Chief Justice during his 2013 term.
According to Justice Adams the award honors Indigenous lawyers who work to give back to the organization.
“They bestow the award on Indian lawyers who have had some type of connections with the NALSA,” Justice Adams explained. “Back in 2005 to 2006, I served as the treasurer for NALSA and over the years I have individually supported NALSA by volunteering or other ways.
“My law firm has also been a sponsor of the organization for the last six or seven years.”
Every year NALSA has a Moot Court Competition where teams from across the country from different law schools will compete in a legal argument that a federal Indian law professor puts together and search for attorneys to judge the competition.
“NALSA had asked me to be a final round judge along with five others,” Justice Adams said. “They didn’t tell me exactly why they picked me for the award but I think it has something to do with volunteering.” to be a final round judge for the competition,
Justice Adams has a demonstrated dedication to mentorship and giving back.
“I mentor American Indian law students and my firm has been a financial contributor to NALSA,” Adams said. “I do my best to support the organization any way that I can.”
As Justice Adams is one of four recipients of the award, he was the only Muscogee (Creek) recipient for this year.
“I think it’s important when Muscogee citizens are doing positive things,” Justice Adams said. “I think it’s important for citizens to know that, especially the youth.”
. “If I can be a positive role model to Muscogee youth I definitely want to do that.”
Justice Abrams said and he wants to encourage other young citizens who have dreams of going into law to keep working hard toward their dreams and goals.”
Justice Adams is a founding partner of Hogen Adams PLLC in St. Paul, MN, which focuses on Indian Law.
“The McGirt decision has definitely positively impacted my practice,” Justice Adams confirms. “I just think it’s awesome that the Supreme Court actually got it right in the case and reaffirmed the Muscogee Nation reservation boundaries pursuant to the Treaty of 1866.”
You can find more information about Justice Andrew Adams III at http://www.creeksupremecourt.com/justices/justice-andrew-adams-iii/.
