ERIC D. EBERHARD, NEW CHAIR OF THE
UDALL FOUNDATION
Eric Eberhard has been elected as the chair of the board of trustees of the Udall Foundation. In October
2011, Eberhard, a member of the board since 2000, succeeded Terrence L. Bracy, who chaired the board for the last 17 years.
"Eric has made enormous contributions to the Udall Foundation since he joined the board," said Ellen Wheeler, executive
director of the Foundation. "As the Udall Foundation matures and develops, the experience and leadership Eric brings
will ensure that we continue to expand our impact around the country."
"Eric is an old friend and a great advocate for Native Americans," said Senator John McCain. "I look forward to working
with him as he continues the great legacy of Morris Udall."
In December 2000, the U.S. Senate confirmed President Clinton's appointment of Eberhard to the board of trustees of
the Udall Foundation. President Bush nominated him for a second term on the board in 2005, and he was confirmed by the
Senate in 2006. During his time on the board, Eberhard has played a leading role in furthering the mission of the
Foundation. From 2001 to 2011, he chaired the Udall Foundation’s board committee on the Native Nations Institute.
Eberhard is a Distinguished Indian Law Practitioner in Residence at the Law School at Seattle University. From 1995 to
2009, he was a partner in the Seattle office of Dorsey and Whitney LLP. He received his B.A. degree from Western Reserve
University in 1967, a J.D. degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1970, and an LL.M. from George Washington
University in 1972.
Eberhard has been actively engaged in the practice of American Indian law since 1973 and is highly regarded throughout
Indian country. He has worked in legal services, private practice, and as the Deputy Attorney General of the Navajo
Nation and Executive Director of the Navajo Nation's Washington, D.C., office. His practice has involved all aspects of
the representation of Indian tribes, organizations, individuals, and entities doing business with Indian tribes in
federal, state, and tribal judicial, legislative, and administrative forums.
From 1989 to 1995, Eberhard served as the General Counsel and Staff Director on the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
for Senator John McCain of Arizona. In that capacity, he had direct responsibility for legislation relating to the
protection of the environment on Indian lands, Indian cultural resources protection, gaming, water rights,
self-determination and self-governance, tribal courts, and economic development.
In recent years, Eberhard has devoted his time to expanding Indian law opportunities in the state of Washington. Under
his guidance, Seattle University School of Law significantly expanded its curriculum and programming in Indian law. He
has also helped to recruit Native American law students to Seattle University.
Eberhard serves as the Vice-Chairman of the Native American Concerns Committee of the American Bar Association's Committee
on Individual Rights and Responsibilities and is a Life Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. He has been recognized
by Best Lawyers in America and Chambers. At Dorsey & Whitney, he was recognized as the Partner of the Year, the
Diversity Partner of the Year, and the Pro Bono Partner of the Year. He has been honored by the United South and
Eastern Tribes, Navajo Nation and its courts, the National Indian Gaming Association, the National Association of
Indian Legal Services Programs, the Intertribal Timber Council, and the American Indian Religious Freedom Coalition
for outstanding service and contributions.