ALVINA L. EARNHART - OWNER & MANAGING PARTNER
Alvina, originally from Coyote Canyon (Brimhall), New Mexico, is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation. She is born for the Kin Łichii’nii (Red House People) clan and born for the Bit’ahnii (Folded Arms People) clan. Her maternal grandfather’s clan is Haltsooi (Meadow People), and her paternal grandfather’s clan is Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People).
As the founder and owner of RED HOUSE LAW, Alvina brings over 15 years of legal experience with a focused practice in Federal Indian Law. Her firm offers trusted counsel in Tribal Law, Business Law, Family Law, Probate, Wills, and Estate Planning, with a strong commitment to serving tribal nations and communities with respect and cultural awareness.
Alvina has an extensive background in advising tribal governments and tribally owned enterprises across a wide range of legal and policy areas. Her work includes administrative law, tribal governance and reorganization, code development, human resources, social services, probate, land and water rights, taxation (federal, tribal, and state), economic development, housing, natural resources, agriculture, oil and gas development, and environmental compliance. She also has significant litigation experience in federal, state, and tribal courts.
Throughout her career, Alvina has served as General Counsel and Special Counsel to multiple tribes and tribally owned businesses, providing daily legal guidance to tribal leadership, department heads, boards, and commissions.
In addition to her work with tribal governments, Alvina represents individual tribal members and non-Indians in matters involving business, employment, housing, social services, family law, probate, and estate planning.
Alvina’s approach is rooted in cultural respect, deep legal knowledge, and a strong dedication to empowering Indigenous communities through meaningful legal advocacy.
Admissions
- Colorado
- New Mexico
- Navajo Nation Tribal Court
- Ute Indian Tribal Court
- Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal Court
- Yankton Sioux Tribal Court
- Crow Nation Tribal Court
- Pueblo of Acoma Tribal Court
- Fort Berthold District Court
- Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Court
- U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico
- Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals
Education
- University of Colorado, J.D. (2003)
- University of Denver, B.A., American History and Political Science (2000)
Publications
- Committee Chair, Citizenship Delayed: Civil Rights and Voting Rights Implications of the Backlog in Citizenship and Naturalization Applications, Report of the Colorado Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Sept. 2019)
- Committee Chair, The Colorado Constitution’s No Aid to Sectarian Institutions Clause and Its Impact on Civil Rights, Report of the Colorado Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Sept. 2018)
- A Practical Guide to Tribal Issues Associated with Planning and Permitting a Pipeline, Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation – Midstream Oil & Gas from the Upstream Perspective (April 24-25, 2018)
- Regulation of Employment: Tribal Employment Rights Ordinances and the NLRB, Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation – Special Institute on Indian Law and Natural Resources: The Basics and Beyond (Sept. 26-27, 2017)
Professional Affiliations and Roles
- Committee Chair, Colorado State Advisory Committee for U.S. Commission on Civil Rights - Oct 2017 - Present
- President, Navajo Nation Bar Association - July 2022 - July 2024
- Chairperson, Rules Committee, Navajo Nation Bar Association - 2019 - 2022
- Board of Bar Commission Member, Navajo Nation Bar Association - 2018 - 2019
- Special Institutes Committee Member, Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation - Sep 2017 - Oct 2019
- Navajo Nation Bar Association Member
- Colorado Bar Association Member
- American Bar Association Member
Contact Information
JOSEPH FAZIO - Partner
Joseph brings a deep commitment to protecting families and advocating for vulnerable populations, with extensive experience in family law, juvenile matters, and social services. His career has been dedicated to ensuring justice for children and supporting clients navigating some of life’s most challenging legal issues.
Joseph began his legal career at the Florida Department of Children and Families, where he prosecuted juvenile dependency cases involving child abuse and neglect. His work focused on safeguarding children's well-being and supporting families through the court system.
Joseph later served for over seven years as an Assistant Regional Counsel with the Florida Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel in the 5th District. There, he represented indigent clients in a wide range of legal matters, including dependency, juvenile delinquency, criminal defense, family law, and probate. He also served as a supervising attorney for more than three years, mentoring junior attorneys and helping manage the office's caseload.
Joseph holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Virginia Tech (2009), a Juris Doctorate from Barry University School of Law (2012), and is admitted to practice in Florida, Colorado, the Ute Indian Tribal Court, and the Fort Berthold District Court. His diverse licensure allows him to serve clients across both state and tribal jurisdictions with a culturally informed and client-centered approach.
Originally from Roanoke, Virginia, Joseph now lives in Broomfield, Colorado, with his cat, Sammy. Outside of work, he is an avid hockey fan who enjoys cooking, traveling, reading, and staying active in the Colorado outdoors.
Admissions
- Colorado
- Florida
- Ute Indian Tribal Court
- Fort Berthold District Court
Education
- Barry University School of Law, J.D. (2012)
- Virginia Tech University, B.A., Political Science (2009)
Contact Information
ELISE ST. LOUIS - ASSOCIATE
Elise St. Louis brings a strong foundation in Federal Indian law and environmental policy to her work advocating for tribal nations. Her legal career is rooted in a deep commitment to advancing tribal sovereignty, supporting sustainable economic development, and upholding the cultural and legal traditions of American Indian communities.
Elise’s practice focuses on representing American Indian tribes and tribal entities in complex legal matters, including environmental compliance, treaty and water rights, and tribal jurisdiction. Her thoughtful, interdisciplinary approach allows her to navigate administrative and jurisdictional challenges with precision and care.
Prior to entering the legal profession, Elise conducted independent academic research in canine behavior during her undergraduate studies, reflecting her analytical rigor and scientific curiosity. This unique background complements her legal expertise, particularly in matters involving environmental and regulatory frameworks.
Elise earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Oregon School of Law in 2024, with a concentration in environmental and Indian law. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of Kansas (2018) and is licensed to practice law in the state of Colorado.
Admissions
- Colorado
Education
- University of Oregon School of Law, J.D. (2024)
- University of Kansas (2018)
Contact Information
DEBBIE FOULK - PARALEGAL/LEGAL ASSISTANT
Debbie brings over 20 years of legal experience with a strong focus in civil litigation, environmental law, corporate law, and water law. She has worked extensively in tribal, federal, and state courts, managing cases from initial filing through discovery, trial, post-trial motions, and appeals.
Her litigation background includes drafting pleadings, conducting legal research, analyzing documents for privilege, and preparing for mediations, arbitrations, and trials. Debbie has contributed to high-level case strategy and supported attorneys throughout all stages of litigation.
Debbie’s environmental law experience spans both federal and state regulatory frameworks, covering issues such as air and water quality, endangered species protection, land use, and public lands—including matters involving the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service. She has worked on projects related to river access, wetlands protection, hazardous waste disposal, and underground contamination, and has assisted clients in obtaining Section 404 permits. She also played a key role in assisting clients in coordinating the cleanup of two Superfund sites in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
In the area of corporate law, Debbie has supported attorneys on matters involving contracts, mergers and acquisitions, securities compliance, and corporate governance. She also has deep experience assisting with water law, including water rights litigation, regulatory compliance, and water supply planning for land development, energy, and industrial projects.
Beyond her professional life, Debbie enjoys spending quality time with her children, grandchildren, and caring for her dog and horses.