Doreen Nánibaa McPaul has been elected president of the State Bar of Arizona, becoming the first Native American to lead the organization in its 93-year history.
McPaul brings more than 25 years of legal experience to the role, with a career centered on serving Tribal Nations and advancing the legal profession. She previously served as attorney general of the Navajo Nation and currently serves as executive director of the Tribal In-House Counsel Association. She has also served on the State Bar of Arizona Board of Governors since 2018.
As State Bar president, McPaul has identified several priorities, including strengthening preparation for new lawyers entering practice, expanding access to justice in rural Arizona, and raising awareness of the work of legal aid organizations. She also hopes to increase attorneys’ understanding of Indian law and Tribal legal systems in a state that is home to 22 federally recognized Tribal Nations.
McPaul’s election represents a historic milestone for Arizona’s legal community and reflects her longstanding commitment to Tribal communities, access to justice, and service to the profession.