1420 Fifth Avenue Suite 3700, Seattle, WA USA 98101
Bree Black Horse is an enrolled member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, focusing her practice on Native American affairs and litigation. Bree 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.
Bree joined Kilpatrick in 2020 as an associate and later became a senior associate in its Seattle, Washington office. In 2024, she left the firm to become the first Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Assistant United States Attorney for the Northwest Region. In this role, Bree was dedicated to investigating and prosecuting MMIP cases as part of the United States Department of Justice's MMIP Regional Outreach Program, which aids 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, 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.
Bree is a 2013 graduate of Seattle University Law School, where she was the Douglas R. Nash Native American Scholar, Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief of the American Indian Law Journal, and President of the Native American Law Student Association. Bree is a Co-Founder of the WWL Yakima Legal Education Fund. Bree also serves on the Legal Foundation of Washington Board of Trustees, and as Treasurer of the Eastern District of Washington Federal Bar Association.
Seattle University School of Law named Bree the Woman of the Year for 2024. The Puget Sound Business Journal recognized Bree as one of its 40 Under 40 in 2024, and as the “Next Gen in Law” in 2023. Kilpatrick Townsend awarded Bree the Pro Bono Associate of the Year in 2022. Washington Women Lawyers recognized her as Chapter Member of the Year in 2022. The Yakima Herald featured Bree as one of its “39 Under 39” in 2022. Bree is a 2019 recipient of the Public Service and Leadership Award from the WSBA Young Lawyers Committee. The National Center for American Indian Economic Development recognized Bree with its “40 Under 40” Award in 2016.
Experience
Represented Indian tribe in Washington State in ongoing treaty fishing rights litigation (United States v. Washington).
Represented Indian tribe in Washington State in ongoing federal treaty hunting and gathering rights litigation.
Served 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 Indian tribes in Washington State and Oklahoma.
Insights View All
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
Washington (2014)
Chehalis Tribal Court
Cowlitz Tribal Court
Hoopa Valley Tribal Court
Hualapai Tribal Court
Muckleshoot Tribal Court
Nisqually Tribal Court
Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribal Court
Quinault Tribal Court
Shawnee 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
U.S. District Court for the District of Montana - Honorable Brian M. Morris (Aug 2014-Jul 2015)
Legal Foundation of Washington Board of Trustees, Member
Eastern District of Washington Federal Bar Association, Treasurer
Washington Women Lawyers, Yakima Chapter, Vice President of Events
Seattle University School of Law Central Washington Hybrid Hub, Director and Adjunct Professor of Law
Central Washington Hybrid Hub Pipeline Initiative, Program Manager (2026)
Exploring Law and Justice: Central Washington Pre-Law Pipeline Day (2025)
WSBA Indian Law Section, Immediate Past Chair (2023-2024)
LSAC Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholars Program, Program Director (2023)
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