Illustrative of Sonnenschein’s success on behalf of Tribes, we have:

• Collaborated in a pro bono victory, representing members of the Cheyenne River Sioux tribe, that affirmed the sovereignty of American Indian tribal courts.  The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit ruled that prevailing federal law recognized the authority of tribal courts to rule in the matter.  The court also affirmed the role of tribal custom and common law in suits in tribal courts;
   
• Won dismissal of multi-million dollar contract litigation brought against one Tribe in both state and federal courts in California by a Las Vegas gaming contractor.  We secured dismissal on the basis of the Tribe’s sovereign immunity even though the subject contracts contained provisions purporting to waive the Tribe’s immunity to suit, and successfully defended those dismissals on appeal;
   
• Successfully lobbied two federal agencies to reverse previously-taken positions that threatened the viability of one Tribe’s gaming project;
   
• Assisted several Tribes and their investors to prepare the environmental documents necessary to secure government approvals for gaming ventures and related development projects;
   
• Defeated state and federal lawsuits challenging planned Tribal gaming projects;
   
• Beat back legal challenges to the federally-recognized status of several Tribes and the land on which they sought to game;
   
• Advised and counseled a Tribe concerning tax-related issues raised by an agreement between the Tribe and state authorities;
   
• Secured dismissal of a Tribal membership dispute filed in federal court against one Tribe; and
   
• Advised and counseled Tribes on the law and procedure governing "Indian lands" determinations under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

As a full-service firm, Sonnenschein’s lawyers and policy professionals work collaboratively to ensure our clients’ needs are met effectively and efficiently, and to provide our Tribal clients access to the members of our national team with the most appropriate expertise – from core legal disciplines to political counsel and legislative advocacy.   We have profound respect for our Tribal clients and their unique interests, and are dedicated to effectively and cost-efficiently addressing any and all of their needs.