About

Provided by Perkins Coie LLP

Focused on critical matters involving Native American lands and tribes, Perkins Coie represents government agencies, state governors, Indian tribes, commercial enterprises, financial institutions, trade associations and nonprofit organizations. Legal issues we resolve include:

  • Gaming law, tribal-state gaming compacts and off-reservation gaming
  • Tribal recognition by government authorities
  • Sovereign immunity
  • Taxation and tax exemptions
  • Internal tribal governance
  • Fishing, hunting and whaling rights
  • Aboriginal land claims and water claims
  • Mineral and energy extraction rights
  • Preservation of the environment
  • Treaty and subsistence rights 
  • Application of federal environmental laws in Indian country
  • Government contracts
  • Intergovernmental agreements
  • Alaska land selections and exchanges


Distinct for our representation of both Native American and non-tribal entities, our work on behalf of non-Indian entities results in our being one of the only national law firms capable of effectively handling Indian law issues from both the tribal and non-Indian entity perspective and we are particularly well known for crafting agreements on gaming between local governments and Indian tribes. Our representation runs the gamut from high-stakes litigation to strategic counseling, governmental affairs, regulatory review and business negotiations.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers
Native American Law: Non-Tribal Counsel - USA - Nationwide
1
Band 1
What the team is known for

Perkins Coie fields a strong team with significant experience advising local and state governments, as well as corporations, in treaty and subsistence rights, tribal acknowledgment, Indian gaming, trust acquisition and intergovernmental agreements. The firm's attorneys offer assistance with high-stakes litigation, strategic counseling and business negotiations. The team is particularly experienced in disputes involving oil and gas projects, as well as gaming operations. It also possesses significant experience representing clients in cases before the US Supreme Court.

Work Highlights

Provided by Perkins Coie LLP
  • Perkins Coie defended the Klickitat Public Utility District against claims asserted by the United States under the National Indian Forest Resources Management Act and state tort law for fire damage and suppression costs in relation to a fire on the Yakama Reservation in 2013.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers
Jena MacLean
1
Jena MacLean
1
Band 1

Jena MacLean has a broad practice covering matters such as environmental law, tribal sovereign immunity and treaty rights.

"Jena can do in a few minutes work that would take other lawyers weeks. She has so much knowledge."

"Jena has great strategic sense and always sees creative ways to solve problems."

"Jena's knowledge base is incredible and her availability is great too."

Charles G Curtis Jr
2
Charles G Curtis Jr
2
Band 2

Charles Curtis is particularly well known in the market for advising on a whole host of civil disputes.

"Charles Curtis is exceptionally bright."

Ranked Lawyers at
Perkins Coie LLP

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

USA - Nationwide

Native American Law: Non-Tribal Counsel

Jena MacLean
1
Jena MacLean
1
Band 1
Charles G Curtis Jr
2
Charles G Curtis Jr
2
Band 2

Members

Provided by Perkins Coie LLP