Catelin Aiwohi is a managing associate in Dentons’ Regulatory, Public Policy and Government Affairs practice and the Native American Law and Policy practice, which serves clients on matters related to American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian issues.  Catelin brings valuable experience advocating and representing indigenous clients in Washington D.C.  She concentrates her practice on government affairs and advocacy and is licensed to practice law in Hawai‘i, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin.   

Prior to joining Dentons, Catelin served as a Legislative Assistant (115th Congress) for the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. There, she contributed to the team’s education and health portfolios and assisted with various aspects of the Committee’s legislative, oversight, and nominations activities. Catelin also served as the Native Hawaiian Federal Service Fellow (114th and 115th Congress) in the office of U.S. Senator Brian Schatz, engaging with representative organizations of the Native Hawaiian community to communicate the Senator’s agenda and gain knowledge of areas of constituent concern. Catelin’s prior experience in Washington D.C. also includes working for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), a semi-autonomous Native Hawaiian trust/state agency. During her time with OHA, she served as a personal and confidential aide to the Washington D.C. Bureau Chief, and provided research, analysis and technical support on federal policy issues as it relates to Native Hawaiians.  Ms. Aiwohi also created a database that includes a comprehensive inventory of Acts of Congress relating to Native Hawaiians. 

Catelin earned her JD from the University of Wisconsin Law School.  During law school, she interned with the Office of Tribal Justice at the U.S. Department of Justice and served as Co-President of the Indigenous Law Students Association.  Catelin is also an alumna of the Native American Political Leadership Program at George Washington University, the Washington Internships for Native Students Program at American University, and the Pre-Law Summer Institute (PLSI) program.  She was born and raised in Wailuku, Hawai‘i and is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools Maui.