Jenner & Block Receives Daily Journal California Lawyer Attorneys of the Year Award for Landmark Settlement Protecting Native American Foster Youth
Recognition
May 6, 2026
The Daily Journal has honored a Jenner & Block team with a 2026 California Lawyer Attorneys of the Year (CLAY) Award for their work in Bear River Band of Rohnerville Rancheria v. California Department of Social Services —a pro bono matter that secured both individual justice and statewide policy change for Native American foster youth.
CLAY Awards recognize the legal teams behind cases that move the needle—settlements that reshape industries and rulings that echo through courtrooms for decades.
The team was led by Partners Kate Spelman and Todd Toral, with support from Partner Keith Harper, Special Counsel Krystalyn Kinsel and Allison Tjemsland, Associates Alex Ramsey, Sriya Chadalavada, Ben Seelig, and Effiong Dampha, Paralegal Supervisor Christopher Ward, Junior Paralegal Christal May, Assistant Shoeba Hassan, and former Associates Julia Hirata and Benjamin Malings. The firm worked alongside Kimberly Cluff of the California Tribal Families Coalition.
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© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.
Recognition
May 6, 2026
The Daily Journal has honored a Jenner & Block team with a 2026 California Lawyer Attorneys of the Year (CLAY) Award for their work in Bear River Band of Rohnerville Rancheria v. California Department of Social Services —a pro bono matter that secured both individual justice and statewide policy change for Native American foster youth.
CLAY Awards recognize the legal teams behind cases that move the needle—settlements that reshape industries and rulings that echo through courtrooms for decades.
The team was led by Partners Kate Spelman and Todd Toral, with support from Partner Keith Harper, Special Counsel Krystalyn Kinsel and Allison Tjemsland, Associates Alex Ramsey, Sriya Chadalavada, Ben Seelig, and Effiong Dampha, Paralegal Supervisor Christopher Ward, Junior Paralegal Christal May, Assistant Shoeba Hassan, and former Associates Julia Hirata and Benjamin Malings. The firm worked alongside Kimberly Cluff of the California Tribal Families Coalition.
Related Attorneys
Related Locations
© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.
News and Insights
Event
Jenner & Block Partners to Speak at Council on Governmental Relations Conference
On June 11, Partners Mike Vernick, Katie Wynbrandt, and Betsy Henthorne will speak on a panel at the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) meeting.
June 11, 2026
Recognition
Jenner & Block's Law Firm Defense Practice Receives Band 1 Nationwide Ranking in 2026 Chambers USA
For the third consecutive year, Jenner & Block's Law Firm and Professional Services Defense Practice has achieved a Nationwide Band 1 ranking in the 2026 edition of Chambers USA.
June 10, 2026
Publications
Partner Emily Loeb Quoted in Semafor on Corporate Risk Ahead of Midterm Elections
Partner Emily Loeb was quoted in Semafor in an article examining how House Democrats plan to leverage a potential midterm election majority to pursue oversight investigations into corporations with ties to the Trump administration.
June 9, 2026