EXPERIENCE
We have extensive experience providing wide ranges of legal services for tribal governments, businesses, organizations, and operations. This includes litigation at all levels of federal, state, and tribal courts, as well as work on economic development, land, resource management, compliance, governmental, and intergovernmental matters.
Lands, Resources, and Development
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Over 60,000 acres of federal trust-land acquisitions for tribes
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Casino and other development financing, leasing, and land assignments
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Development of natural resource and environmental regulations
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NEPA and CWA compliance for 1600-acre master planned community
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NEPA, CEQA, and CWA compliance, cooperative agreement negotiation, compensatory wetland establishment, and construction dispute mediation for hotel and commercial marina development
Intergovernmental Matters
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Intergovernmental agreement and legal opinions on jurisdiction, sovereign immunity, Non-Intercourse Act, and title issues for a federal/state loan to purchase over 22,000 acres of land for sustainable forestry, watershed restoration, nonpoint source pollution management, and carbon sequestration
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Negotiation of numerous intergovernmental agreements, including for marijuana regulation, CERCLA response action coordination, and keeping tribal bison on a federal wildlife preserve
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Negotiation of tribal/state hunting and fishing agreements
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Federal, state, and local lobbying
Litigation
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Commercial and governmental litigation at all levels of federal, tribal, and state courts, as well as administrative courts
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State supreme court decision precluding state jurisdiction over tribal casino tort claims
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Extensive breach-of-trust litigation against the United States in the Court of Federal Claims, resulting in over $600 million for tribes
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Tribal representation in local land use proceedings and federal court to challenge LNG pipeline and export facility.
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Litigation to stop development of offshore wind energy facilities to ensure protection of Tribal cultural resources and fisheries.
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Litigation of FOIA claim and federal/tribal/state gaming revenue dispute