American Indian Law & Policy

Trusted tribal business legal and policy counsel

Decades of experience working on American Indian law and policy in Congress, the executive branch and private practice, along with our bipartisan approach, gives us a unique insight into the political, economic and social ramifications of federal and state governmental actions relating to Indian tribes.

Attorneys and advisors in Brownstein’s American Indian Law & Policy Group represent tribes and those doing business with tribes. Effectively engaging the spectrum of parties involved in tribal matters, we serve as a conduit between tribes, Congress, federal agencies and businesses investing in Indian country, working to facilitate mutually beneficial relationships and move projects forward. We understand and appreciate tribal sovereignty and the complex legal, legislative and regulatory issues that arise as part of the relationship between tribes and the United States. From navigating natural resource and tribal water rights challenges to issues related to tribal gaming and tribal self-determination, our team provides trusted counsel.

Safe Water Resources for the Blackfeet Nation

Strong, lasting relationships are a cornerstone of our firm. For example, for nearly a decade, we’ve worked with the Blackfeet Nation providing federal government relations advocacy with a focus on securing and maintaining safe water resources for the tribe. Our successful representation in the Blackfeet Water Rights Settlement Act in 2016 authorized over $420 million in federal funding for the tribe's water-related infrastructure projects. We continue to advocate on behalf of Blackfeet Nation in connection with the implementation of its water settlement with the United States and state of Montana. Our work also includes providing counsel on the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act for its public water system infrastructure.

Securing Safe Drinking Water for the Navajo Nation in Utah

Nearly 40 percent of the Navajo Nation lacks running water or adequate sanitation in their homes. For years, the Navajo Nation fought for their water rights claims and for clean drinking water infrastructure, to advance public health for the Navajo Nation and ensure its members are not more susceptible to severe illnesses such as COVID-19. To begin to address this issue, our Government Relations and Natural Resources teams worked on behalf of the Navajo Nation and alongside the State of Utah for several years to secure passage of the Navajo Utah Water Rights Settlement act, which Congress passed in 2020. The federal legislation provides over $220 million in federal and state funding for drinking water projects on the Navajo Reservation in Utah and resolves the Nation’s water rights claims against the United States and State of Utah.

The First Tribal Sports Book on Indian Land

Paving the way for new business ventures is where we thrive. This made our team the natural choice when one of the largest gaming companies in the world wanted to explore race and mobile sports betting opportunities on Indian land. Our interdisciplinary team of American Indian, corporate and gaming law attorneys conceptualized a completely novel idea at the time—negotiating a contract for the first tribal sports book on Indian lands. It turned into a framework for navigating the federal and state jurisdiction over gaming in the mobile context that has been replicated dozens of times across partnerships with tribes. Our efforts also enable tribes to strategically engage in the sports betting marketplace and pursue new economic development opportunities and commercial enterprises.