Bree R. Black Horse
Senior Associate

1420 Fifth Avenue Suite 3700, Seattle, WA USA 98101

Overview

Bree Black Horse is an enrolled member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, and she focuses her practice on Native American affairs and litigation. Bree advises Tribal governments on all aspects of federal, state and tribal law, including tribal sovereignty, economic development, treaty rights, and complex Indian country litigation.

Prior to joining the firm, Bree represented individual, governmental, and corporate clients in tribal, state, and federal trial and appellate courts. She gained experience in a wide range of cases including criminal and civil proceedings involving civil rights, personal injury, property, employment, environmental, family and business law. Previously, Bree served as a law clerk to the Honorable Brian M. Morris in the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana in Great Falls, Montana.

While attending law school, Bree was a Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief of the American Indian Law Journal and President of the Native American Law Students Association. She worked as a Youth Advocate and Case Manager for United Indians of All Tribes Foundation where she worked with formerly homeless young adults in transitional housing to achieve their professional and educational goals. Bree also served as a judicial extern to Chief Judge Theresa M. Pouley in the Tulalip Tribal Court and as a legal clerk in of the Office of Tribal Justice at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.

The Yakima Herald featured Bree as one of its “39 Under 39” for 2022 based on her advocacy work in the Indigenous community. She was also recognized in 2022, 2023 and 2024 as one of the "Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch" for Native American Law by The Best Lawyers in America®. Bree was recognized as a Washington “Rising Star” in 2023 and the five years immediately preceding for Native American Law by Super Lawyers magazine. In 2023, the Puget Sound Business Journal named Bree in its "Next Generation in Law" spotlight as a next generation leader in her field. Bree was named as Chapter Member of the Year in 2022 by Washington Women Lawyers. She is a 2019 recipient of the Public Service and Leadership Award from the Washington Young Lawyers Committee of the Washington State Bar Association. The National Center for American Indian Economic Development recognized Bree with its “40 Under 40” Award in 2016.

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Experience

Represents Indian tribe in Washington State in ongoing treaty fishing rights litigation (United States v. Washington).

Represents Indian tribe in Washington State in ongoing federal treaty hunting and gathering rights litigation.

Serves as attorney for tribal IV-D child support program in Washington State assisting with all aspects of tribal court litigation, program administration, as well as matters regarding federal and state policy issues.

Provides on-going general counsel services to an Indian tribe in Washington State.

Insights
Education

Seattle University School of Law J.D. (2013) Douglas R. Nash Native American Law Scholar

Seattle Pacific University B.A. (2010) Political Science and Government

Admissions

Washington (2014)

Court Admissions

Chehalis Tribal Court

Hoopa Valley Tribal Court

Hualapai Tribal Court

Muckleshoot Tribal Court

Nisqually Tribal Court

Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribal Court

Quinault Tribal Court

Spirit Lake Tribal Court

Tulalip Tribal Court

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

U.S. Supreme Court

Yakama Nation Tribal Court

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Clerkships

U.S. District Court for the District of Montana - Honorable Brian M. Morris (Aug 2014-Jul 2015)

Professional & Community Activities

ACLU-WA Board of Directors, Member

Eastern District of Washington Federal Bar Association Board, Officer

LSAC Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholars, Program Director (2023)

Washington State Bar Association, Indian Law Section, Chair

Washington Women Lawyers, Yakima Chapter, President

Northwest Harvest Board of Directors, Member

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