Northern Michigan University alumna and attorney Jana Simmons will give a presentation titled "Tribal Law and Economic Development" on Wednesday, Sept. 21. Her talk begins at 7 p.m. in the Whitman Hall commons, with a reception to follow. It is free and open to the public. 

Simmons will explore how Native entrepreneurs can spark new ideas and markets, attract business partners and build better reservation economies. She serves as Of Counsel in the Michigan office of national law firm Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP, where she focuses on American Indian law and complex civil litigation.

A 1993 NMU graduate, Simmons earned a bachelor's degree in political science and pre-law. She is also being honored during Homecoming with a Distinguished Alumni Award.