Derek Red Arrow is an enrolled member of the Nez Perce Tribe (the Nimiipuu) focusing his practice on Native American affairs and litigation. Derek represents and advises tribal governments, tribal enterprises, nonprofit tribal organizations, and Indian-owned businesses in all matters of federal, state, and tribal law, including litigation and commercial disputes involving land-back programs, treaty rights, tribal natural resources, taxation, inter-tribal trade, jurisdictional disputes, and other matters of Federal Indian Law.
Prior to joining the firm, Derek was an associate at a law firm based in Yakima, Washington where he co-founded and co-led its American Indian Law practice group and assisted clients with litigation and business disputes involving taxation, trade, contract, and issues of Federal Indian law. Previously, Derek worked as a staff attorney for the Yakama Nation Office of Legal Counsel where he represented the Yakama Nation in administrative, state, and federal trial and appellate courts on issues involving treaty rights, water rights, economic development, and tribal sovereignty. He is also a former federal law clerk to the Honorable Brian M. Morris in the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana.
While attending law school, Derek was the Editor-in-Chief of the American Indian Law Journal (2017-2018) and Co-Vice President of the Native American Law Student Association (2015-2017). He also served as a law clerk for the Nez Perce Tribe, Earthjustice, and the Civil Rights Unit at the Washington State Attorney General’s Office.
Derek was recognized as one of the "Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch" in 2023 and 2024 for Native American Law and again in 2025 for both Commercial Litigation and Native American Law by The Best Lawyers in America®. He was recognized as a Washington "Rising Star" in 2025 for Native American Law by Super Lawyers magazine. Derek received the National 40 Under 40 Award from the National Center for American Indian Economic Development (NCAIED). This award recognizes 40 emerging American Indians from across Indian Country who have demonstrated leadership, initiative, and dedication, and made significant contributions in business and/or in their community. Other 2024 NCAIED class members include groundbreaking Indigenous trailblazers like Golden Globe-winning actress Lily Gladstone. He was named to Puget Sound Business Journal's 2025 Class of 40 Under 40. Derek received Yakima’s “39 under 39” award for his leadership and impact throughout his community. Notably, in 2022, he was named a “Successful Indigenous Role Model” for Nez Perce Tribe's Lapwai School District. Derek was also named to the "Top 20 Restorative People Leaders Watchlist" in 2024 by Intersectional Innovations.
Experience
Successfully litigated the re-recognition of over 200,000 acres of reservation land for eastern Washington-based tribe.
Represents Indian tribe in Washington State in ongoing treaty fishing rights litigation (U.S. v. Washington).
Successfully defended the off-reservation Treaty Right to Travel on all public highways for the purpose of inter-tribal trade.
Provide on-going general counsel services to tribal marijuana enterprise regarding the production, distribution, and retail sales of marijuana product.
Represents coalition of four treaty tribes in the acquisition of a shared sacred site adjacent to the second largest waterfall in the continental United States.
Drafted USDA approved Tribal Hemp Program and Code to establish complete jurisdiction to tribal government over all hemp production activities within tribe’s territory.
Represented tribal-member enterprise’s interests as amici-curiae regarding the treatment and supremacy of treaty rights in the Supreme Court of the United States.
Represented tribe’s interest in development of treaty tax exemption policies for all tribal members within Washington state.
Insights View All
Seattle University School of Law J.D. (2018) Douglas R. Nash Native American Law Scholar Award
Seattle University B.A. (2015) Political Science and Business Administration
Washington (2019)
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
Yakama Nation Tribal Court
U.S. District Court for the District of Montana – Honorable Chief Judge Brian M. Morris (Aug 2018-Aug 2019)
Heritage University, Board of Directors (2024-Present)
Tribal Economic & Tax Reform Advocacy Alliance, Member (2022-Present)
Washington State Bar Association, Cannabis Law Section, Member (2022-Present)
Washington State Bar Association
Indian Law Section, Member (2021-Present)
At-Large Executive Board, Member
CLE Committee, Member
Mentorship Committee, Member
Nez Perce Tribe's Lapwai School District, Successful Indigenous Role Model (2022-Present)
Yakima County Bar Association, Member (2019-Present)
Washington State Department of Revenue, Tribal Tax Advisory Group Sub-Committee, Chair (2019-2021)
Western Environmental Law Center, Board of Directors (2022-2023)
Seattle University Law School, Contemporary Issues in Indian Law, Guest Speaker (2021)
Bellevue College, Environmental Justice Class (indigenous and environmental advocacy), Guest Lecturer
Nez Perce Culture Camp, Guest Lecturer
Seattle University, Indigenous People’s Day, Student Keynote Speaker (2017)
Seattle University’s transition from Columbus Day to Indigenous People’s Day, NALSA Advocate
Traditional Prairie Chicken Powwow Dancer
Division IV Ironman 140.6 World Championship Team, Coach (2013)
Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scout Award (2005)
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