Native American Litigation Unrivaled Advocacy
Tribal governments face an increasingly complex and challenging social, economic, and political environment, requiring sophisticated legal services. We can help. At Kilpatrick, our Native American appellate and trial litigators successfully advocate for tribal governments before tribal, state, and federal courts — including the U.S. Supreme Court. Our nationwide practice provides tribal clients with sophisticated legal analysis and strong advocacy throughout the litigation lifecycle — from case development through U.S. Supreme Court review. We have represented tribal leaders, governments, and businesses in numerous high-stakes case, frequently establishing new precedents and/or triggering headline news.
Focus Areas
- Sovereign Immunity
- Water Rights
- Taxation Natural Resources & Sacred Sites Protection
- Tribal Asset Protection
- Treaty & Statutory-Based Rights
- Reservation Land Status
- Tribal Governance, Employment & Gaming
- Racketeer Influenced & Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) Charges
Law Firm of the Year
Native American Law
U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” (2020)
National
Tier 1
Native American Law
U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” (2023)
Law Firm of the Year
Native American Law
U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” (2020)
Experience
Protected tribal land by obtaining permanent injunction for trespass and oil pipeline removal from trust lands in Oklahoma.
Advanced treaty rights when representing Washington State tribe in ongoing treaty fishing rights litigation (U.S. v. Washington).
Successfully affirmed court rulings for Indian tribes in Indian Child Welfare Act litigation.
Successfully confirmed tribal government jurisdiction over Indian lands and waters and over non-Indian interests for tribes in Washington State and Arizona.
Strengthened tribal governments through successful representation of tribal leaders and key tribal employees in litigation threating tribal sovereign immunity and tribal governance decision making.
Represented tribes in litigation to preempt state and local taxation of Indian lands that will help build strong tribal economies.
Protected federally reserved groundwater rights for a California tribe against two state water agencies, delivering a game-changing decision for Indian Country.
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Disclaimer
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