Former U.S. Attorney for Arizona Diane Humetewa has joined the Squire Sanders & Dempsey LLP law firm. Humetewa, a Hopi, was the first Native American appointed as a U.S. Attorney. She was appointed by former President George W. Bush in December 2007. She stepped down as a federal prosecutor earlier this year with the changeover in administrations. Humetewa will work out of Squire's Phoenix and Washington offices and will focus on Native American law, water, natural resources and real estate.

Humetewa had served as counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, then chaired by Senator John McCain, and counsel to the Deputy Attorney General. She helped analyze and draft federal legislation in the areas of Native American gaming, welfare reform, archeological and cultural protection, and fiscal appropriations. She also served as the Department of Justice's liaison to Arizona's 22 tribes.

Arizona's 22 federally recognized tribes occupy approximately 20 million acres of land and control a substantial portion of the state's water rights. The tribes are a significant driver of Arizona's economy. Northern Arizona University estimates that they provide some $300 million in annual tourism revenue. In 2007, the 15 Arizona tribes with gaming operations reported gross revenues approaching $2 billion.

Humetewa received her J.D. in 1993 and her bachelor's degree in 1987, both from Arizona State University. She is a board member of the Morris K. Udall Foundation and has served as Advisory Council member for the Indian Legal Programs at Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University. She also has served as a judge pro tem on the Hopi Tribal Appellate Court.

Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. was founded in 1890 and has lawyers in 32 offices and in 15 countries around the world. Squire, Sanders & Dempsey is also a sponsor of the Phoenix CEO-CFO Group.

John Laub is the Chairman of the Phoenix CEO-CFO Group.

1. "Former U.S. Attorney for Arizona Diane Humetewa Joins Squire Sanders." Phoenix Business Journal. September 14, 2009.

2. "Former U.S. Attorney for Arizona Joins Squire Sanders Native American Law Practice. " Company Press Release. PRNewswire. September 14, 2009.

3. www.ssd.com