Samantha Skenandore
Partner
EMAIL: sskenandore@nativelawgroup.com
Phone: 608-630-1083
EDUCATION
B.A., Behavioral Sciences & Law, Certificate in American Indian Studies, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison, WI (2001)
University of New Mexico, American Indian Pre-law Summer Institute, Albuquerque, NM (2002)
University of Tulsa, Comparative and International Law Center, Geneva Institute on Indigenous Peoples Law, Geneva, Switzerland. Completed international law coursework abroad on Indigenous People law, including observation of United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Peoples (2003)
J.D., University of Denver Sturm College of Law, Denver, CO (2005)
ADMISSIONS
State Bar of Wisconsin (2006-Present, Board of Directors for Indian Law Section 2008-2011)
State Bar of Arizona (2012-Present)
Ho-Chunk Nation (WI)
Oneida Nation (WI)
Menominee Nation (WI)
Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (WI)
Tohono O’odham Nation (AZ)
McDowell Yavapai Nation (AZ) (*inactive)
Hualapai Tribe (AZ) (*inactive)
PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
Chambers USA® (2021-present: Native American Law)
Best Lawyers in America® (2024: Native American Law)
Wisconsin Law Foundation, Fellow (2019-present)
Madison365 “Wisconsin’s 38 Most Influential Native Americans” (2020)
Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Tribal Excellence Award (2012)
Wisconsin Law Journal’s Up and Coming Lawyers (2011)
Business Watch Magazine, Dane County (WI) Forward Focus, “Amazing Women in Business” (2008)
Josephine P. White Eagle Fellow, Ho-Chunk Nation Department of Education (2002-2005)
PROFESSIONAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES
Wisconsin Law Foundation, Board of Directors (2020-present)
American Bar Association, Member
Federal Bar Association, Member
Federal Circuit Bar Association, Chair, Federal Circuit Bar Association, Chair of Indian Law Committee, 2009-2012
Indian Land Tenure Foundation, Board of Directors (2017-Present, Chair of Board 2018-2023)
Boys and Girls Club of the East Valley serving the Gila River Indian Community (2012-2019)
Ho-Chunk Nation Department of Historic Preservation, Board of Directors, Auxiliary Board of Directors (2006 – 2011)
Madison Children’s Museum, Board of Directors (2009 – 2011)
Dane County United Way, Account Executive (2008-2009)
Samantha Skenandore
Partner
EMAIL: sskenandore@nativelawgroup.com
Phone: 608-630-1083
Samantha has nearly 20 years of experience advising dozens of tribal and corporate clients on matters involving federal Indian law and tribal law. Samantha counsels clients on tribal governance, corporate governance, governmental affairs, corporate transactions, real estate, cultural resources, cannabis, Indian water rights settlements, labor issues and litigation. Her extensive multijurisdictional practice has resulted in successful outcomes for clients participating in the Small Business Administration 8(a) program, corporate retreats, corporate entity formation and reorganization, financing, mergers & acquisitions, tribal code development, minority or woman-owned certifications, labor relations, complex commercial real estate transactions and tribal economic development initiatives. Samantha also represents clients in federal-tribal consultations and represents clients before members of Congress, congressional committees and agencies through federal lobbying services.
As a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, Skenandore previously served as a Tribal Attorney for the Ho-Chunk Nation Department of Justice and clerked for the United States Department of Justice, Indian Resources Section, as well as the State of Colorado Division of Administrative Hearings in Denver, Colorado. Samantha served as an elected Associate Justice to the Ho-Chunk Nation Supreme Court from 2015-2019.
Samantha is a longtime community member of TeeJop (meaning “Four Lakes” in Ho-Chunk), Madison, Wisconsin, where she enjoys family time, local events, non-profit service, visiting parks, gardening and riding horse.