N. Cheryl Hamby, third from right, was sworn in as Attorney General of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians following her confirmation to the post on January 8, 2019. Secretary/Treasurer Richard Isaac, seated, administered the oath of office while Chief Phyliss J. Anderson holds the Bible for Hamby. Also pictured are Representatives Deborah Martin and Hilda Nickey on the far left and Representatives Berdie Steve and Richard Sockey on the right. Photo courtesy Mississippi Band

Law | National

Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians welcomes new attorney general

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians has a new attorney general and a tribal citizen is holding the job for the first time.

N. Cheryl Hamby was confirmed to the tribe's highest legal post at a council meeting on Tuesday. Chief Phyliss J. Anderson called it a milestone for the tribe.

“I am very proud of this accomplishment for our tribe and for Mrs. Hamby as we work together to educate and promote our tribal members into professional level positions,” Anderson said.

Hamby has been working in the tribe's attorney general office for the past three years as an assistant attorney general. She was then named acting attorney general by Chief Anderson until being confirmed for the job.

Hamby obtained her law degree from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, now known as Texas A & M School of Law. She has been admitted to practice law in a number of tribal, state and federal courts.