Diana Lopez Jones’ devotion to public service started early when she was an
AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer in rural South Dakota. In fact, she was nationally
recognized for her efforts in adolescent substance abuse prevention and named to the
Presidential Advisory Committee for the 25th anniversary of VISTA. Before becoming
a lawyer, Diana was a journalist and continues to use her writing skills in the legal
field, having authored and co-authored tribal legislation and policies on topics ranging
from crime to child welfare.

Diana serves at the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Legal Services Office,
where she handles family law, probate, and benefits cases. Her legal career is deeply
rooted in public service, including an extended period managing SALA’s Pinal County
offices and teaching legal research and writing at the law school level. She has
significant expertise in federal Indian law, having served as legal counsel for several
tribal communities, including the Gila River Indian Community, Ft. McDowell Yavapai
Nation, and the San Carlos Apache Tribe. Diana appreciates the personal fulfillment
and intellectual challenge of being a lawyer, especially the satisfaction of helping
people on a one-to-one basis. She particularly enjoys unraveling tangled legal issues so
justice can be served.

A recent achievement for Diana was earning a master’s degree in creative writing with
a focus on poetry and small-press publishing. Somehow, Diana manages to find time to
have a few diversions outside of work and enjoys folk-rock music from the 1970s for
its authenticity and modern Korean cinema for its depth and nuanced performances.
She finds joy in any destination where there’s water, as long as her husband, daughter,
and dog are along for the fun.

Diana exemplifies the dedication and spirit of legal professionals who give back to the
community through pro bono work. SALA is proud to honor Diana, who encourages
others to join her in providing no-cost legal support to those who need it most.