Trish LaCroix

I started my career working for a tribe in Nebraska as an ICWA caseworker, where I received extensive training in children and families. That experience made me want to go into law school, but I pursued a paralegal degree instead. I was working toward my bachelor's in paralegal but unfortunately ran out of money to borrow. I worked as a paralegal for a lawyer in Yankton, where I live, and when he got sick and couldn't represent the Rosewood Tribe in mental illness hearings anymore, I took over for him. I had taken training with the Southwest Center for Law and Policy in Arizona, where I got my tribal legal advocacy certification, which allows me to practice law in tribal courts. Now, as a public defender, I work with clients who are suicidal and coming to the hospital to receive treatment. They're on a 5-day involuntary hold, and I review their files to see how well they've been doing at the hospital. I advocate for what they want, but a lot of times that means speaking with them and helping them realize they need help and treatment. My most notable achievement is the low turnover rate - clients are getting the help they need and not returning to the system. I also take on abuse and neglect cases through my tribe and travel to different courthouses, which I really enjoy.