Claire DeChambre focuses her practice on education law, employment matters and general representation of private and public entities. She began her legal career practicing employment and business law, but she quickly learned that her passion is in education law, primarily working with tribal clients. Claire values long-term client relationships, working mainly as general counsel for Tribally Controlled Grant Schools and Arizona public school districts. Claire advises clients from the Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, and across Arizona.
Claire appreciates the variety and complexity of issues confronted by schools and the ability to work closely with educators. She particularly enjoys advising clients in areas related to federal compliance, from employment-related issues to yearly audits, and everything in between. She often plays an advisory role, keeping clients informed of emerging trends in education, employment, and tribal issues, in an effort to avoid potential litigation or reduce liability exposure. Claire frequently provides both preventative advice and training on numerous topics and areas of law, including developing policies and procedures; tribal employment laws; special education law; Title VII discrimination law; Bureau of Indian Education requirements and procedures; background/fingerprint checks and adjudication; and Indian law/Indian land jurisdictional issues.
Claire graduated with her B.A. in Global Studies summa cum laude from the Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University. She obtained her juris doctor degree from Boston College Law School. While in law school, Claire focused her studies primarily on environmental law and Indian law.
Presentations & Publications
•“Social Media: What’s Enforceable and Best Practices,” HeinfeldMeech Grant School Conference, May 2023
•“Handling Hiring, Firing, Harassment and Discrimination Claims,” Native American Schools Insurance Programs Risk Management and Safety Conference, May 2023
•“What is a Grievance Policy and How Can It Keep You Out of Trouble? (A perspective from practicing on tribal lands),” ASBA Law Conference, September 2022
•“Employment Practices/HR Documentation/Wrongful Termination and Hiring Practices,” Native American Schools Insurance Programs, April 2022
•Ask the Expert-Q&A Panel, HeinfeldMeech Grant School Conference, April 2022
•“ARP Funds Legal Framework, Challenges and Considerations,” Native American Grant Schools Association ARP Conference, March 2022
•“Torn Between Three Jurisdictions: The Legal Complexities of the Arizona School District Serving Native American Students,” Arizona School Board Association Law Conference, September 2021
•“Signs of the Times in Contracts: Liability Waivers and Liquidated Damages,” Arizona School Board Association Law Conference, September 2020
•“Employment Practices (Harassment, Discrimination, Wrongful Terminations & Hiring Practices),” Native American Schools Insurance Programs, April 2018
•“Jurisdictional Issues for School Districts,” Arizona School Board Association Law Conference, September 2017
•“Transgender Student Rights,” Native American Grant School Association’s 21st Annual Winter Conference, December 2016
Community Involvement
•Arizona High School Mock Trial Volunteer Judge
•Law Day Volunteer
•Flagstaff High School Senior Exit Interviews Volunteer Interviewer
