Stacy Leeds facts for kids

Stacy L. Leeds, born in 1971, is a smart American professor and a former judge for the Cherokee Nation. She is known for her work in law and education. Since 2022, she has been the leader (called the Dean) of the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law.

Before that, from 2011 to 2018, she was the Dean of the University of Arkansas School of Law. She was the very first Indigenous woman to lead a law school, which was a big achievement! In 2007, she even ran to be the main leader (Principal Chief) of the Cherokee Nation. In 2024, she joined a special group called the American Philosophical Society, which recognizes important thinkers.

Learning and Degrees

Stacy Leeds worked hard to get many degrees. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington University in St. Louis. This was her first step in higher education.

She then went on to get a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Tulsa. This degree is needed to become a lawyer. She also earned a MBA from the University of Tennessee. Later, she received a Master of Laws degree from the University of Wisconsin.

Career in Law and Education

Stacy Leeds is a skilled leader in both law and education. She knows a lot about American Indian Law, which covers the laws and rights of Native American tribes. She also understands how tribal governments work and how to help communities grow economically.

Serving as a Judge

Leeds has served as a judge for several Native American nations. She is currently the main judge for the Prairie Band of Potawatomi Nation's District Court. She also works as an associate judge for the Kaw Nation's Supreme Court. In addition, she is the chief justice for the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma's Supreme Court.

She helps guide other judges too. She is on the board of the National American Indian Court Judge's Association. She also advises the National Judicial College on tribal matters.

In 2002, Stacy Leeds made history by becoming the first woman to serve as a Supreme Court justice for the Cherokee Nation. She held this important position until 2006. In the past, she also served as a special judge for the Muscogee Creek Nation's District Court. She was also an associate judge for the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians's Court of Appeals.

Leading Law Schools

From 2011 to 2018, Leeds was the 12th Dean of the University of Arkansas School of Law. Before that, she was a professor at the University of Kansas. There, she also helped lead the Tribal Law and Government Center. Earlier in her career, she taught law at the University of North Dakota. She also directed the Northern Plains Indian Law Center.

From 2017 to 2020, she served as the first Vice Chancellor for Economic Development at the University of Arkansas. In this role, she helped the university work with businesses and communities. Her goal was to boost the economy and social impact in Arkansas and beyond.

In 2018, Leeds became a professor at the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University (ASU Law). She was part of their Indian Legal Program. In November 2022, she was announced as the new Dean of ASU Law. She is the second woman to hold this top leadership role at the college.

Awards and Recognition

Stacy Leeds has received many honors for her excellent work. In 2008, she was given the Fletcher Fellowship. She was also named a special fellow at the W. E. B. Du Bois Institute at Harvard University that same year. When she taught at the University of Wisconsin, she was a William H. Hastie Fellow.

In 2006, she received the AALS Clyde Ferguson Award. This award recognizes excellence in teaching, service, and scholarship. At the University of Kansas, she won the Immel Award for Teaching Excellence. She has also been named Alumni of the Year by the National Native American Law Students Association.

About Her Life

Stacy Leeds grew up in Muskogee, Oklahoma. She is a proud citizen of the Cherokee Nation.

Published Works

Stacy Leeds has written several books and papers about law. These works help others learn about American Indian Law and related topics.

• Leeds, Stacy L. and Angelique Townsend Eaglewoman. Mastering American Indian Law. 2013.
• Leeds, Stacy L. American Indian Property. Durham, NC: Carolina Academic Press, 2008. ISBN: 978-1-59460-262-7
• Leeds, Stacy L., Darrell Dowty, Darell Matlock, and the Cherokee Nation. In the Judicial Appeals Tribunal of the Cherokee Nation: Lucy Allen, petitioner, v. Cherokee Nation Tribal Council, Lela Ummerteskee, registrar, and registration committee, respondents. Tahlequah, OK: Cherokee Nation, 2006.
• Leeds, Stacy L. Cross Jurisdictional Recognition and Enforcement of Judgments. Madison: University of Wisconsin, 2009.

See also

• List of Native American jurists