Media Coverage
Source: Daily Journal
Media Coverage
Press Contacts: Erik Cummins, Matt Hyams, Olivia Thomas
12.29.16
In partnership with the nonprofit organization Four Directions, a group of Pillsbury lawyers observed voting on South Dakota Native American reservations for the third presidential election in a row. Four Directions partnered with the non-partisan, voter protection program Native Vote. The goal of both organizations is to educate the Native American community about the registration and voting process while also encouraging and advancing equality for Native American voters during elections.
The 12 attorneys came from the firm’s offices in Los Angeles, Northern Virginia, San Diego, San Francisco, Silicon Valley and Washington, DC in order to help combat the discrimination and marginalization that the Native American communities face.
“It’s not just history; It’s very real, in the present,” said Blaine Green, a Native American Law partner from Pillsbury’s San Francisco office.
The lawyers were split into two groups. One went to the Pine Ridge Reservation and the other to the Cheyenne River Reservation.
“I would say the most memorable experience wasn’t at the polling place, it was the process of immersing myself in the community,” said Los Angeles senior associate Rebecca Tierney. “I had numerous, commonplace interactions day-to-day with people living on the reservation. There were moments of connection that I was really grateful to have.”
Traveling to Pine Ridge were Rebecca Tierney, Pillsbury alumnus Greg Lembrich (Four Directions' counsel), Robert Perez, Glenn Sweatt, Blaine Green, Philip Shecter, Jessica Bogo, Jeff Jacobi and Allen Brandt. Traveling to Cheyenne River were Matt Stephens, Kirsten Gallacher, Kelly Bledsoe and Mike Wallenstein.