Native-led leadership and case analysis
ICWAExpert.com keeps the legal standard connected to tribal knowledge, cultural context, and the practical needs of dependency and TPR proceedings.
Native-Led ICWA QEW Practice
About ICWAExpert.com
ICWAExpert.com connects federal Qualified Expert Witness standards with culturally grounded analysis, tribal sovereignty, and practical support for the people carrying ICWA cases through court.
Mission
Protecting sovereignty, families, and the ICWA record.
Our work is built around the federal QEW standard in 25 C.F.R. § 23.122 and the lived reality that ICWA cases require more than generic child welfare expertise.
ICWAExpert.com supports tribes, families, attorneys, and child welfare agencies with culturally competent Qualified Expert Witness testimony, active efforts review, and ICWA consulting. The practice centers tribal sovereignty and family preservation while helping courts receive the specific, culturally informed testimony ICWA requires.
That means looking beyond procedural compliance. We help legal teams and agencies understand whether the record reflects meaningful active efforts, tribal participation, placement preference analysis, and testimony tied to the child's Tribe and community.
Founder
Led by Cody Hartt.
Cody Hartt brings tribal governance, public service, legal services leadership, and ICWA QEW practice into one focused resource for high-stakes child welfare cases.
Cody Hartt is an enrolled member of the Quechan Indian Tribe and the Founder and Executive Director of Indian Country Legal Services, Inc. He serves as a third-term Quechan Legislative Committee member and as a school board president in Imperial County, California.
As an ICWA Qualified Expert Witness practitioner, Cody works at the intersection of tribal sovereignty, child welfare, family preservation, and courtroom-ready ICWA analysis.
Enrolled Quechan Indian Tribe member
Founder and Executive Director of Indian Country Legal Services, Inc.
Third-term Quechan Legislative Committee member
Imperial County school board president
ICWA Qualified Expert Witness practitioner
What Sets Us Apart
Native-led, culturally grounded, and built for court.
Federally qualified under 25 C.F.R. § 23.122
ICWAExpert.com keeps the legal standard connected to tribal knowledge, cultural context, and the practical needs of dependency and TPR proceedings.
Culturally grounded active efforts review
ICWAExpert.com keeps the legal standard connected to tribal knowledge, cultural context, and the practical needs of dependency and TPR proceedings.
Tribal sovereignty and family preservation focus
ICWAExpert.com keeps the legal standard connected to tribal knowledge, cultural context, and the practical needs of dependency and TPR proceedings.
ICWA support available across all 50 states
ICWAExpert.com keeps the legal standard connected to tribal knowledge, cultural context, and the practical needs of dependency and TPR proceedings.
Practice Scope
Support for ICWA proceedings across the United States.
We serve ICWA matters in all 50 states, including urgent court deadlines and longer-term compliance planning.
- Foster care placement hearings
- Termination of parental rights proceedings
- Dependency and child welfare cases
- Delinquency crossover matters involving ICWA questions
- Related ICWA consultation, record review, and hearing preparation
Parent Organization
Connected to Indian Country Legal Services, Inc.
ICWAExpert.com is connected to Indian Country Legal Services, Inc., a Native-led organization focused on legal services, advocacy, and practical support for Indian Country.
Learn more at indiancountrylegal.com.
Need a culturally grounded ICWA Qualified Expert Witness?
Submit your case details and we will begin with a conflict check, timeline review, and the right next step for your proceeding.
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Best when you need QEW availability, testimony, or report support tied to a court deadline.
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Use this path for fit, scope, records, funding, or timing questions before submitting case details.
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