Georgene Louis is a member of the Pueblo of Acoma, a federally-recognized Indian tribe located in New Mexico. She grew up on the Acoma Reservation and lived there until she went to law school in August 2001. Georgene was the first person in her family to attend law school and she is one of only four attorneys from her tribe of over six thousand enrolled members.

Georgene reports that when she was growing up, she often complained about tribal politics and how tribes were treated. Her father told her that she could complain all she wants to, but if she didn’t know how to change things, such as being an attorney, she wouldn’t make a difference. That is one of the main reasons Georgene decided to become an attorney.

Georgene obtained her Juris Doctor from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 2004. She is an associate attorney at Chestnut Law Offices, an Albuquerque law firm that practices general civil law, emphasizing on Indian Affairs and Water Resources. In addition to serving on the ABA YLD Special Project “Choose Law” Committee, Georgene also serves on the Acoma Business Board, the Acoma Boys & Girls Club Board, and on the Board of the Indian Law Section of the State Bar of New Mexico. Georgene currently lives in Albuquerque, with her daughter Jonisha, and frequently visits Acoma.

Georgene believes that individuals interested in becoming attorneys should not let obstacles, such as having little money, keep them for journeying down their path. Obstacles can be overcome.