Artist, Advocate, and Judge – Victorio Shaw
The Center for Indigenous Law & Justice graphic reflects the balance of tradition, sovereignty, and justice at the heart of the Center’s mission. Designed by tribal attorney, tribal court judge, and artist Victorio Shaw, the artwork brings together Indigenous artistic traditions and the legal principles that guide the Center’s work.
When the Center for Indigenous Law & Justice (CILJ) at Berkeley Law began developing its visual identity, the goal was to create a graphic that reflects the Center’s vision of a legal system in which Tribal Law is integrated into the core of legal education and the sovereignty of Native Nations is widely understood and respected.
To bring that vision to life, the Center turned to Victorio Shaw—a tribal attorney, tribal court judge, and lifelong artist whose work bridges creative expression and legal advocacy in service of Native communities.
For Shaw, these identities are deeply connected. Both his art and his legal work are grounded in a shared purpose: strengthening Native communities and advancing justice rooted in tribal sovereignty.
Art as a Foundation
Shaw’s connection to art began in childhood. He is the son of famous Native artist Lyn Risling, and he grew up surrounded by creativity.
While his mother painted, Shaw sat nearby drawing in sketchbooks—often creating scenes inspired by science fiction and comics. Over time, drawing became more than a pastime. He shared that, “Drawing became almost a meditative state for me. It was something that brought me a lot of joy.”
As a student, Shaw quickly became known as the “class artist.” His family encouraged him to enter Native art shows, where he began receiving recognition and connecting with a community of Native artists. These early experiences helped shape his artistic voice and his understanding of Native art as something that lives in the present.
“Native people are modern people too. Our culture goes back thousands of years, but we continue to evolve and interact with the modern world,” said Shaw. That philosophy—honoring tradition while engaging contemporary life—would later shape both his artistic work and his legal career.
A Calling to Tribal Law
Although Shaw first earned a degree in art, he eventually felt called toward a different kind of work: advocating for Native communities through the law.
While working as a graphic designer and marketing manager for a tribal casino, Shaw saw that economic development alone could not address the deeper challenges facing many tribal communities. That realization pushed him toward law school.
After gaining experience working in a law firm in San Francisco, Shaw attended UC Davis School of Law with a clear goal: to become a tribal attorney. The path was demanding. Tribal law requires navigating federal, state, and tribal legal systems while advocating for Native Nations within institutions that historically were not designed to support them.
Still, Shaw remained committed to the work.
Carrying Forward a Legacy
A major influence in Shaw’s life was his grandfather, David Risling, Jr., often referred to as “The Father of Indian Education.” Mr. Risling was a respected California Indian leader whose work helped establish key institutions serving Native communities, including California Indian Legal Services and the Native American Studies program at UC Davis.
For Shaw, that legacy carries a deep sense of responsibility. He shared that, “There aren’t very many people who can take on certain roles for our communities. If you’re one of the few who can do it, it becomes your duty.” Today Shaw serves as a tribal court judge, where he describes his work simply as ““My job is solving people problems.”
When he sits behind the bench, Shaw says he tries to embody the perspective of a caring elder. “I try to think like a grandfather—someone who loves people, wants the best for them, but also holds them accountable,” says Shaw.
Designing the CILJ Center Graphic
When Shaw was invited to design the Center’s graphic, he immediately recognized the significance of the opportunity.
Berkeley Law has long been one of the nation’s leading law schools, and Shaw welcomed the Center’s commitment to strengthening the place of Indigenous law within legal education. He shared, “I felt honored to be asked. It felt like a meaningful opportunity to contribute.”
Through both his art and his legal work, Shaw continues to embody the same balance reflected in the mission of the Center for Indigenous Law & Justice—bridging cultures, strengthening Native communities, and advancing justice grounded in tribal sovereignty.
Understanding the CILJ Center Graphic
The CILJ graphic brings together Indigenous artistic traditions and key elements of the American legal system.
The Basket
The circular design represents a California Indian basket, reflecting the deep artistic traditions of Native communities in the region.
The patterns incorporate Ohlone and California-specific basketry designs, recognizing that Berkeley Law sits on the traditional lands of the Ohlone people.
The Scales of Justice
At the center of the design are the scales of justice, formed by a bow and two hanging baskets.
The bow symbolizes the flexibility required for justice—reminding us that justice must be responsive to the needs of communities.
The Three Arrows
Behind the scales stand three arrows, representing the three sovereigns of the American legal system: Tribal, Federal, and State governments.
The arrows feature feathers inspired by those used by Ishi, a Yahi man widely known as the last survivor of his people. After emerging from hiding in 1911, Ishi lived and worked with anthropologists at UC Berkeley, where his life and story became deeply connected to the university’s history.
The Four Birds
Along the outer edge of the basket are four birds, placed at the north, south, east, and west points of the design.
In many Native traditions, the Four Directions represent balance, guidance, and the interconnected nature of the world. The birds symbolize Berkeley Law students who carry the knowledge gained through CILJ into the world—traveling in all directions to serve Native and Indigenous communities.
Together, the elements of the graphic reflect the Center’s mission: advancing justice while honoring the sovereignty, traditions, and future of Native Nations.