26th Annual California Indian Law Conference
About this Event
Please join CILA for the 26th Annual California Indian Law Conference & Awards Dinner, October 7–9, 2026, at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage, California. Up to 9.0 MCLE (CA) credits are anticipated (8.0 General and 1.0 Ethics – Participatory), subject to final agenda approval.
Conference registration includes the Welcome Reception on Wednesday evening, buffet breakfast on Thursday and Friday mornings, a plated lunch on Thursday, the Awards Dinner on Thursday evening, and a grab-and-go lunch on Friday. Please provide your entrée selections during the registration process. Coffee, tea, and refreshments will be available throughout the conference.
The CILA Board thanks our 2026 Conference Sponsors for their generosity and support of our mission.
GOLDEN BEAR Level Sponsor: Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians
DEER Level Sponsor: Colorado River Indian Tribes
OTTER Level Sponsors: Pechanga Band of Indians - Procopio - Lieff Cabraser Heimann and Bernstein
BREAK Sponsor: Kronick Moskovitz Tiedemann & Girard
ABALONE Sponsor: Jill Grant & Associates, LLC
To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please email [email protected].
Hotel Accommodations. CILA has secured a discounted guest room block at Agua Caliente Casino Rancho Mirage, the host venue for the Conference.
Agua Caliente Casino Rancho Mirage
32-250 Bob Hope Drive
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
Group Room Rate: $199 per night (single occupancy), plus applicable taxes and fees.
To receive the CILA group rate, please make your reservation by September 15, 2026. After this date, rooms and the group rate are subject to availability.
To reserve your room, call (800) 854-1279 and reference the CILA Guestroom Block.
Learn more about the resort at: https://aguacalientecasinos.com/resort-casino-spa-rancho-mirage/
CILA Membership & 2026 Annual Board Elections. The price of 2026-2027 annual CILA membership dues is included in your full conference registation. Please complete your membership registration form here. More information will be provided in the check-out process. To express your interest in running for one of three (3) open Board of Director positions, please fill out this interest form.
Refund Policy. Full registration refunds (less Eventbrite fee, which is nonrefundable) will be processed for cancellations received by 5:00PM Pacific Friday, September 11, 2026, sent via email to [email protected]. After the posted cancellation date, registrations may be transferred to another attendee but not refunded (a change in entree selection may not be possible). No-shows will be billed. Please email [email protected] with questions and written cancellation/substitution requests.
Entree Selections. The awards dinner on Thursday offers your choice of entree selection. Entree selections made after Friday, September 25, 2026, may not be accommodated. Vegan options will be available at every meal.
Questions? Contact CILA at [email protected] Thank you!
Wednesday, October 7
🕑: 12:00 PM - 03:00 PM
CILA Board Meeting [Optional/Pre-Conference Activity]
Info: The CILA Board will be hosting a CILA Board Meeting ahead of the Conference. This is a working session to include Conference preparations. CILA Members are welcome to join. The meeting will be at the Star Salon. Please RSVP to [email protected] in advance, so we may arrange your access to the room.
🕑: 06:00 PM - 09:00 PM
CILA Welcome Dinner [Optional/Pre-Conference Activity]
Info: Included with your Conference registration, please plan to join our Welcome Dinner to take place at the Event Lawn. We'll have networking, dinner, and fun surprises. Please indicate your plans to attend during Conference Registration to help us with planning. Have your plans changed? Please email us at [email protected] at your first opportunity. Sorry, this event is for Conference attendees only.
Thursday, October 8
🕑: 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM
Registration & Breakfast
Info: CILA Registration and Breakfast will open at 8:00AM. Breakfast will be available until 9:00AM. Coffee, tea, and water will be available all day.
🕑: 08:30 AM - 08:45 AM
Welcome Remarks
Info: Please join us for welcome remarks from representatives from our host and 2026 Golden Bear Sponsor, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.
🕑: 08:45 AM - 10:15 AM
Litigation Update (1.5 MCLE (CA) - Participatory)
Info: This panel will provide an overview of recent litigation impacting tribes in California and across the nation, highlighting key cases and emerging legal trends. Attendees will gain insights into how these developments may shape tribal sovereignty, jurisdiction, and governance in the years ahead.
🕑: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Legislative Update (1.5 MCLE (CA) - Participatory)
Info: This panel will review significant legislative developments from the past year at both the California and federal levels, with a focus on laws affecting tribal governments and communities. Presenters will highlight key changes, emerging policy priorities, and potential impacts on tribal sovereignty and self-determination.
🕑: 12:15 PM - 01:45 PM
Keynote Address & Luncheon (0.5 MCLE (CA) - Participatory)
Info: Join us for a keynote address.
🕑: 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
TBD (1.0 MCLE (CA) - Part.)
Info: This panel...
🕑: 03:15 PM - 04:15 PM
TBD (1.0 MCLE (CA) - Part.)
Info: This panel...
🕑: 04:15 PM - 05:15 PM
CILA Annual Membership Meeting & Board Elections
Info: A reminder that CILA Members must confirm their 2026-2027 Membership status ahead of the Annual Membership Meeting by submitting the form found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CILA2026. Membership fees are INCLUDED for all Conference attendees.
🕑: 06:00 PM - 09:00 PM
Keynote Address & Awards Dinner (0.5 MCLE (CA) - Participatory)
Friday, October 9
🕑: 08:00 AM - 08:30 AM
Breakfast
🕑: 08:30 AM - 08:45 AM
Welcome Remarks & CILA Board Election Results
🕑: 08:45 AM - 10:15 AM
TBD (1.5 MCLE - Participatory)
Info: This panel...
🕑: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Ethics(1.5 MCLE - Ethics)
Info: This panel...
🕑: 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Closing Remarks and Grab-n-Go Lunch
Where is it happening?
USD 161.90 to USD 402.00
