Candace D. French, an accomplished attorney in the practice of Native American law, brings over 20 years of experience working for tribal communities and is committed to advancing sovereignty, economic development, and the protection of natural resources in Indian Country. Hailing from Anadarko, Oklahoma, she is an enrolled member of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes with a heritage rooted in the Navajo, Comanche, and Blackfeet Nations.

Education

  • J.D., Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University,: Willard H. Pedrick Scholar; President, Native American Law Students Association; CALI Award, Fall 2015; Highest Pro Bono Distinction; Law Society on Human Rights; National Native American Law Students Association (2017)
  • Certificate of Completion, Pre-Law Summer Institute, Albuquerque, New Mexico (2014)
  • M.A., Criminal Justice, Arizona State University (2013)
  • B.A., cum laude, Political Science, Arizona State University (2008)
  • B.S., cum laude, American Indian Studies, Arizona State University (2008)

Internships

  • Legal Intern, Office of the Prosecutor, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (2016 – 2017)
  • Legal Intern, Southwest Center for Law and Policy (2015)

Bar & Court Admissions

  • Arizona (2017)
  • Navajo Nation (2018)
  • Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (2018)
  • Gila River Indian Community (2019)

Honors & Awards

  • National Center for American Indian Economic Development “40 Under 40” (2025)
  • Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America: Government Relations Practice, Municipal Law (2021 – 2005); Native American Law (2023 – 2025)
  • AzBusiness Magazine, Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona (2021)

Professional & Industry Memberships

  • State Bar of Arizona
  • Navajo Nation Bar Association
  • President-Elect of the Native American Bar Association of Arizona 
  • Board of Bar Commissioners Navajo Nation Bar Association

Language Fluency

  • Spanish