California Indian Legal Services (CILS) is the first Indian-controlled law firm organized to provide specialized legal representation to Indians and Indian tribes. CILS provides free or low-cost representation on those matters that fall within the priorities (see below) set by our Board of Trustees.



Created by California Indian leaders and public interest attorneys, CILS has been one of the preeminent advocates for the rights of Native Americans and Indian Tribes for over thirty years.



CILS maintains six offices, five throughout California and one in Washington D.C. CILS is supported by grants and contracts from a majority of California's 109 federally recognized Indian Tribes, the Federal Legal Services Corporation, the State Bar of California, private foundations, and individual and corporate contributors.