Tribes are increasingly turning to big-name law firms to help them navigate state and federal laws and work with their business partners.
Historically, tribes relied on boutiques, or small firms that specialized in Indian law. But now, many of the top 100 law firms have developed their own Indian law practice groups, according to The Recorder.
"They need the same type of legal representation as any Fortune 500 company would need," one attorney said of his tribal clients.
Most of the big firms, though, don't have many tribal members on staff. And they often run into conflicts when they represent clients who are in disputes with tribes.
"Just because a case doesn't have your tribal client as a party, if it's anti-sovereignty it hurts all tribes," said Heather Dawn Thompson of the National Congress of American Indians.
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Indian Tribes Bet on Big Firms
(The Recorder 1/19)
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