Indian Law
Tribal governments and those seeking to do business with them or otherwise in Indian Country require experienced lawyers. Osborn Maledon attorneys have substantial expertise in assisting Indian tribes in complex business transactions, Indian law litigation, and tribal intergovernmental relationships, and in assisting non-Indian clients in their business dealings with Indian tribes and activities in Indian Country. We regularly counsel Indian tribes for both on-reservation and off-reservation concerns. This includes leasing, development, natural resources and other real estate related matters, employment issues such as discipline and termination, internal investigations and employment agreements, as well as the transactional and regulatory aspects of Indian gaming.
Through our relationships with tribes we have developed a unique understanding of Indian law litigation and laws applicable to on-reservation business transactions. Our attorneys regularly assist tribes on complex natural resources development projects, land and commercial real estate acquisition and development matters, the conversion of private land holdings into "trust lands", Indian water rights and other real estate related issues. We also have significant experience representing non-Indian companies and communities in connection with on-reservation real estate issues, including leasing and rights of way.
We were instrumental in the passing of Arizona Proposition 202, the 17 tribe initiative, by representing "Arizonans for Fair Gaming and Indian Self-Reliance", providing both litigation and appellate expertise. Other specific Indian Law experience includes:
- Representing the Hopi tribe in substantial off-reservation land and real estate matters, natural resource protection and economic development, and tribal intergovernmental relationships
- Representing the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community with on-reservation ground leasing and real estate development as well as litigating the landmark case establishing their right to engage in gaming and casino development
- Representing the Gila River Community in environmental litigation and commercial disputes
At Osborn Maledon, our attorneys merge state-of-the-art best practices and sophisticated transactional experience with a deep knowledge of Indian law.