Indian Gaming & Other Economic Development Projects

Our lawyers are experienced in assisting Indian Tribes and the gaming management companies with whom they secure approvals for casino and other economic development projects.  We are experienced in dealing with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, other relevant Interior Department officials, and the National Indian Gaming Commission.  We were instrumental in establishing the first Indian casino in California, which was approved and then challenged in Federal Court on environmental grounds, succeeding in District Court, which was upheld in the Court of Appeals with the U.S. Supreme Court denying a hearing.  In 2005, we again prevailed on behalf of the second Indian Tribe in California whose casino project was attacked in federal court.  We are currently assisting Tribes from California to Michigan to New York.  Typically, challenges involve claims made under the National Environmental Policy Act and various other environmental laws.  We have also served as environmental and strategic counsel to Indian Tribes evaluating development of hydropower and other electric energy facilities.  In previous public sector roles, we represented Indian Tribes on treaty fishing rights matters and in efforts to secure recognition and compensation for water and other property rights.