EMAIL: joannkintz@nativelawgroup.com

PHONE: 303-926-5292

JoAnn Kintz

Partner

EMAIL: jkintz@nativelawgroup.com

JoAnn Kintz is an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. JoAnn received her Juris Doctorate from Columbia Law School as well as her undergraduate degree from Columbia University.

JoAnn joined the firm as a partner in January 2026. With more than a decade of experience working in Washington, D.C., JoAnn brings substantial litigation and policy experience advancing tribal interests within the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). She also has extensive experience navigating federal processes, advising on legislation and regulations affecting tribal nations, and working collaboratively with tribal leaders, federal officials, and stakeholders to address complex legal and governmental challenges. Most recently, she served as Deputy Director of DOJ’s Office of Tribal Justice, where she advised senior DOJ leadership on litigation and legal strategy affecting tribes and coordinated closely with DOJ components, other federal agencies, and tribal governments on a wide range of legal and policy matters that impact tribes’ sovereignty, self-governance, and resources.

JoAnn started her legal career through DOJ’s Honor Graduate program, serving as a trial attorney for seven years in the Tribal Resources Section of the Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). There, she represented the United States in both federal and state district courts to protect and advance tribal interests and the treaty and trust responsibilities. Her litigation experience includes tribal jurisdiction, taxation in Indian country, Indian child welfare, treaty and reserved rights, Indian water rights, fee-to-trust, Indian gaming, reservation boundaries, and administrative law. Her expertise extends to the Indian Child Welfare Act, Indian Reorganization Act, Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, Tribal Law and Order Act, Indian Civil Rights Act, and Administrative Procedure Act. JoAnn has also been an adjunct professor of legal writing at Columbia Law School.

JoAnn is a past recipient of the Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award (2023), ENRD’s Assistant Attorney General Award for Excellence (2015 and 2023), and the Native American Bar Association of D.C.’s Significant Contribution in Indian Law Award (2024) and Excellence in Government Service Award (2018). She is licensed to practice law in Colorado and Washington, D.C. and currently lives in Arlington, Virginia.