The Washington, D.C.-based team at Dentons is equipped to handle advisory and contentious mandates alike on behalf of tribes in Washington, Arizona and Hawai’i. The group’s expertise takes in matters of tribal sovereignty and land use, commercial ventures including gaming and energy projects, and assisting tribes in obtaining federal funding. Heather Sibbison coordinates the group and specializes in trust acquisitions, land claim settlement issues, and compliance with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and the Natural Environmental Policy Act. Also noted are Suzanne Schaeffer, recommended for Indian lands and environmental compliance issues; Samuel Daughety, a go-to for tribal-state compacts, the fee-to-trust process and regulatory compliance matters; and San Francisco-based litigator Jeffry Butler.

WilmerHale's Native American law practice group is well-placed to represent Indian tribes at every stage of dispute resolution and draws on notable experience litigating before the Supreme Court, appellate, and trial courts. Core areas of focus include cases involving energy and natural resources, land acquisition, water rights, gaming and tribal sovereignty. In addition, the team routinely handles a range of advisory and transactional mandates that includes leading on internal investigations on behalf of tribes. Leadership of the practice is shared between Washington, D.C.-based lawyers Seth Waxman and Tommy Beaudreau. Waxman is well-versed in Supreme Court and appellate litigation and has particular focus on challenges involving public policy, IP, regulatory, criminal and commercial issues. Beaudreau, for his part, has noted experience of regulatory, government relations, and contentious matters faced by Indian tribal governments and Alaska Native Corporations. Additional names to note include litigator Daniel Volchok; and Christopher Babbitt, who deals with regulatory matters and litigation involving the federal government and rival tribes.

The Native American law practice group at Akin is regularly instructed by tribal governments and their commercial enterprises on a range of mandates that includes securing capital to expand businesses and educational facilities and advising on non-gaming business opportunities, governmental contracting and renewable energy projects. Additional areas of expertise include advocating for favorable legislative and regulatory environments and litigation involving rights of way issues. The practice is directed by Donald R Pongrace, who specializes in private and government-to-government negotiations involving land and water rights, energy projects and development projects. Also of note are Jason Hauter, whose expertise encompasses federal policy, Indian water rights and environmental regulation; Katie Brossy, who handles both advisory and contentious matters, including representing tribes in litigation relating to water rights and land use; and litigator Merrill Godfrey. All mentioned practitioners are based in Washington, D.C.

The group at Dykema Gossett PLLC is well-versed in advising Native American tribes and businesses on advisory and contentious mandates involving gaming and commerce. Core areas of expertise include advising on land-to-trust and gaming eligibility applications, petitions for federal acknowledgement, and the negotiation and approval of development and management agreements, tribal-state gaming compacts and financing agreements. Leadership of the practice is shared between Lance Boldrey and Jason Hanselman, both of whom are based in Lansing, Michigan. Boldrey specialises in advising tribes, developers, banks and other non-tribal businesses on transactional work, financings and administrative law matters. Hanselman, for his part, majors on obtaining licenses and negotiating agreements between consultants, developers, management companies and tribes. Also noted are Courtney Kissel, who is a key contact for tribal trust and reservation land issues; and litigator Erin Sedmak, who handles federal disputes involving tribes.

Van Ness Feldman LLP‘s practice group specializes in assisting Alaskan tribal governments and businesses alike with a range of federal and local issues, including subsistence, energy development, and federal funding matters. Leadership is shared between a Washington, D.C.-based duo comprising Andrew VanderJack and Laura Jones. VanderJack routinely supports clients with advice on energy and environmental law, federal grants and appropriations, and American Indian and Alaska Native law and policy. Jones, for her part, deals with economic development work, federal regulatory issues, environmental compliance, federal-tribal consultation, and civil litigation. Patrick Daugherty is an additional key contact. Seattle-based Jaeleen Kookesh joined the firm in March 2024.