About

Provided by Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

Sheppard Mullin represents tribes, tribal agencies and businesses, financial institutions and other entities with respect to legal issues affecting tribes. We advise tribal clients on a broad range of tribal governance and economic development issues and represent non-tribal clients in all aspects of transacting business with Native American tribes and on Indian reservations. The firm handles an array of Native American issues, including Indian water rights; the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act; Tribal compacts; Tribal contracts and leases; Indian tax issues; Indian environmental, regulatory and compliance issues and labor and employment issues on tribal lands. We also offer tribal governments experience in commercial enterprises, finance and Indian gaming, environmental and natural resources, real estate and construction, intellectual property, labor and employment, litigation and tax along with specialized knowledge of the construction, renewable energy, entertainment, cannabis and finance industries. Our team is comprised of attorneys who have previously worked for the United States Department of the Interior and directly for tribal governments as in-house tribal attorneys. Additionally, our lawyers have arbitrated and litigated complex state, federal and tribal law issues in state, federal and tribal courts.


Chambers Review

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

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton has extensive experience handling financing transactions for tribal infrastructure and gaming projects, typically on behalf of lenders. The firm also provides governance, regulatory and litigation advice to tribes, tribal agencies and other tribal entities. The Sheppard Mullin team acts extensively in disputes arising from the Labor Relations Act and land-to-trust acquisitions.

Work Highlights

Provided by Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
  • Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton advised the Washoe Development Corporation in its purchase of the Wa She Shu Casino facility for PCI Gaming Authority.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers
Christine L Swanick
1
Christine L Swanick
1
Band 1

Christine Swanick holds a sterling reputation for her work advising tribes and tribal entities on financial matters including bond financings, syndicated credit facilities and commercial loans.

"Christine has an excellent reputation among lenders in Indian Country."

"Christine's consistent professionalism and ability to communicate at all levels make the attorney-client relationship more enjoyable and productive."

"Christine is very responsive and has considerable expertise in this practice area."

Wilda Wahpepah
1
Wilda Wahpepah
1
Band 1

Wilda Wahpepah is highly regarded for her Native American law practice and advises on finance matters, tribal jurisdiction issues and gaming, among many other legal concerns for Indian tribes.

"Wilda is very strong in the tribal finance area."

Ranked Lawyers at
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

USA - Nationwide

Native American Law: Finance

Christine L Swanick
1
Christine L Swanick
1
Band 1
Wilda Wahpepah
1
Wilda Wahpepah
1
Band 1

Members

Provided by Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

Brent Horstman

Charbel Lahoud

Christine L Swanick

Christine L Swanick

Head of Department

Richard Freeman

Head of Department

Shane Noworatzky

Clients

Provided by Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

Bank of America

Benefit Street Partners LLC

California Valley Miwok Tribe, Tribal Council

Greentube Internet Entertainment Solutions GmbH

KeyBank National Association

PNC Bank

Prudential Insurance Company

San Pasqual Economic Development Corporation

Te wá tha hón:ni Corporation

Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians

Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indian

Wells Fargo Bank

Industries

Provided by Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

Banks

Construction

Government

Leisure

Private Clients