J.D. Williams is the Chief Judge for the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua & Siuslaw Indians on Oregon’s central coast, including their Peacegiving Court which focuses on restorative justice using Tribal traditions and values. He also acts as an appellate and pro tem judge for a number of other tribes in Oregon and Washington and teaches Federal Indian Law at the Lewis & Clark Northwestern School of Law in Portland.

Mr. Williams is a partner in Williams Johnson LLP, a Portland law firm that specializes in Indian, environmental and energy law.  They represent tribal governments, tribal businesses, utilities, and charter schools as well as those doing business in Indian country.  An attorney for 18 years, Mr. Williams is licensed in Oregon and Washington. His practice focuses on economic development in Indian country especially in telecommunications and energy as well as the protection of Tribal natural and cultural resources, sovereignty and jurisdiction. 

Carolyn Slyter is a Tribal Elder with Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians.  Carolyn was one of the persons instrumental in getting the Tribes restored to Federal recognition.  She served many years on Tribal Council after the Restoration, guiding the Tribes through its developmental stages.  She has served on the Education, Elders, Culture, Child Protective Services and Heath Committees.  Currently, Carolyn serves on the enrollment committee for the Tribes.  She was one of the first persons to be sworn in as a Peacegiver for Peacegiving Court in 2005, and still serves the Peacegiving Court as a Peacegiver and mentor for Tribal families.