Margaret Brent 2012 Honoree Arlinda Locklear

Arlinda Locklear, of Arlinda Locklear Law Office in Washington, D.C., was the first Native American woman to argue before the U.S. Supreme Court, where she successfully challenged South Dakota’s authority to prosecute a Native American for on-reservation conduct. Since that time, five other Native American women have argued before the Supreme Court. During her 35-year career in federal Indian law, she has represented tribes throughout the country in federal and state courts on treaty claims to water and land, taxation disputes with states and local authorities, reservation boundary issues, and federal recognition of tribes. She dedicated her career to giving back to Native American communities. Locklear has received numerous awards for fostering the development of women, among them a 2008 honor for her contributions to the American Indian community by the Conference for American Indian Women of Proud Nations.