Indian tribes enjoy immunity from lawsuits as dependent sovereign nations. As a result, they cannot be sued in tribal, state or federal court in disputes over tribally owned businesses and businesses formed under tribal law absent an effective waiver of immunity. This immunity is typically waived only under extraordinary circumstances. Our attorneys have become skilled at consummating transactions by finding middle ground and reaching compromise.
We help investors in energy and other development projects located on Indian lands to negotiate and resolve private/tribal development disputes through arbitration or other means before they come to trial. We also advise on federal law related to development disputes, as well as administrative proceedings and litigation arising from decisions of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
We also represent clients' interests in disputes involving federal Indian law as well as administrative proceedings.