High-Profile Member of Kilpatrick’s Native American Affairs Team Returns

Bree Black Horse Rejoins Firm After Serving as Assistant U.S. Attorney

SEATTLE (February 5) – Kilpatrick announced today that Bree Black Horse, Counsel, is returning to the Firm’s nationally recognized Native American Affairs Team.  Ms. Black Horse rejoined the Seattle office on January 26 after serving for nearly two years as the first Assistant U.S. Attorney dedicated to prosecuting cases involving Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP), in connection with the U.S. Justice Department’s MMIP Regional Outreach Program.

“We welcome Bree back to Kilpatrick and our team,” said Rob Roy Smith, Co-Chair of the Native American Affairs Team. “We are proud of the invaluable and important work that Bree did at the U.S. Justice Department. The experience she gained will only enhance her deep understanding of the legal issues impacting Indian Country.”   

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

“It was an honor to serve MMIP survivors and their families. I look forward to seeing this critical role continue to have an impact on addressing the MMIP crisis,” said Ms. Black Horse. “Kilpatrick is home for me. I am excited to be back working with outstanding clients who are leaders making a difference in Tribal communities across the country.”

Ms. Black Horse joined Kilpatrick in 2020 as an associate and later became a senior associate in its Seattle office. In 2024, she left the Firm to join the U.S. Justice Department. In her role, she investigated and prosecuted MMIP cases as part of the Department’s MMIP Regional Outreach Program, which aided in the prevention and response to MMIP through the resolution of MMIP cases where federal jurisdiction exists, and through collaboration, coordination, and communication with Tribal, federal, state governmental and non-governmental partners.

Prior to joining the Firm in 2020, Ms. Black Horse 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, Ms. Black Horse 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.

Ms. Black Horse earned her J.D. from Seattle University School of Law where she co-founded and served as Editor-in-Chief of the American Indian Law Journal.

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