Over 100 Tribes File Amicus Briefs in Supreme Court Case Challenging Tribal Water Rights
On Monday, March 20, 2023, the United States Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case threatening the ability of Indian tribes to protect and enforce their water rights. Last year, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Navajo Nation can pursue its water...
Indian Affairs Congressional Committees Organize for 118th Congress
Committees in the United States Congress, both the Senate and the House of Representatives, convened recently to hold organizational meetings, welcome new members, and vote on their rules for the 118th Congress. The committees involved include the Senate Committee on...
House Subcommittee on Interior Appropriations Taking Testimony
The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies announced it will take in-person testimony from Indian tribes and Alaska Natives on March 8 and 9, 2023. This is the first time since the...
Native Law Group Welcomes New Associate Attorney Maurisa Bell
Patterson Earnhart Real Bird & Wilson LLP is pleased to announce Maurisa Bell as a new associate attorney in its Washington, DC office. Ms. Bell brings valuable experience advocating and representing tribal clients in the nation’s capital. "We are pleased to have...
Native Law Group Delivers Christmas Gifts for Toy Drive
Right before Christmas, Native Law Group attorneys and staff helped spread joy through their effort to deliver hundreds of toys for the Cheyenne River Youth Project (CRYP) Wo Otúh’an Wi Toy Drive on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation. Native Law Group helped...
Supreme Court Maintains Crow Tribe’s Control Over Electric Cooperative
By Barry C. Bartel, Contributing Attorney On December 12, 2022, the U.S Supreme Court refused an electric utility’s request to hear a long-disputed case about tribal jurisdiction. The Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the case leaves in place a Ninth Circuit Court of...
Interior Proposes Rule to Improve Fee-to-Trust Process
On December 5, 2022, the Department of the Interior (Interior) published in the federal register a notice of proposed rulemaking to revise the fee-to-trust regulations at 25 C.F.R. Part 151. The federal register notice is available here. Interior is proposing the...
Energy Efficiency Funding Available for Tribes
The Department of Energy announced the availability of Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funding for Indian tribes. Congress authorized a total of $550 million for states and tribes. Of this amount, 2 percent or $8 million was allocated to tribes....
Native Law Group Recognized in “Denver’s Top Lawyers 2023”
Patterson Earnhart Real Bird & Wilson LLP – also known as the Native Law Group – is honored to be recognized in “Denver’s Top Lawyers 2023” by 5280 Magazine. Five hundred of Denver Metro’s most skilled attorneys were selected through peer surveys and editorial...
Native Law Group Promotes JR Loera and Welcomes Logan Big Eagle
Native Law Group proudly announces JR Loera's promotion to Senior Associate, and Logan Big Eagle joins the firm as an Associate Attorney. Both attorneys bring unique experiences and perspectives to the firm to further support tribal governments and entities. "We are...