CHSS Distinguished Alumni - Philosophy

Steve Bodmer

BA Philosophy '03

Steve Bodmer is a distinguished legal professional with a rich background in federal Indian law and dedication to Native communities. An enrolled member of the Edisto Natchez-Kusso Tribe of South Carolina and a veteran of the U.S. Navy, Bodmer’s commitment to serving indigenous communities and upholding tribal sovereignty is evident throughout his career. Bodmer earned his Juris Doctor from Arizona State University College of Law, where he also received the Indian Legal Program Certificate, signifying study and expertise in federal Indian law. Bodmer’s tribal advocacy at the federal level includes working in Washington, D.C. for Senator Tim Johnson of South Dakota on the senator’s Indian Affairs team working briefly within Department of Justice’s Office of Tribal Justice.

Bodmer serves as general counsel for the Pechanga Band of Indians in Temecula, California. In this role, he provides comprehensive legal counsel to the Tribal Council and the Pechanga Development Corporation, overseeing the legal affairs of the Tribe along with other economic diversification projects. His practice areas include federal Indian law, gaming law, tribal governance, and tribal economic development. In addition to his legal practice, Bodmer has served as an adjunct professor at Arizona State University Law, and is currently an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California, Gould College of Law where he teaches federal Indian Law. His career is marked by a steadfast dedication to advancing the legal and economic interests of tribal nations and ensuring their sovereignty and prosperity for future generations.