Lawrence M. Kasen

Lawrence M. Kasen grew up in Newark, New Jersey, where he observed the unequal treatment of individuals based on origin, race, and social status. This experience inspired him to advocate for the equal application of civil rights under the United States Constitution. He pursued his undergraduate studies at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ, focusing on Native American history, religion, languages, and cultural anthropology.

In 1976, Lawrence enrolled at Howard University School of Law in Washington, D.C. His education included a significant constitutional law course taught by Herbert Reid, a renowned professor involved in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case. This course, along with others centered on civil rights, led to a 1978 summer clerkship with the Solicitor's Office - Division of Indian Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Following a recommendation from the Deputy Solicitor for Indian Affairs, Lawrence undertook a special fellowship in Indian Law and Natural Resources Law at the University of New Mexico's National Indian Law Center and Natural Resources Law Center. This advanced training enabled him to work for two and a half years representing Indian tribes and individual Native Americans in Nebraska and Arizona.