FEDERAL INDIAN LAW

Chestnut Law Offices has considerable experience in Federal Indian Law and intergovernmental relations. Our firm includes both Native and non-Native attorneys who are dedicated to serving the needs of our tribal clients.  Two senior attorneys each have over 20 years experience in Federal Indian Law.  We continue to work with tribal, state, local and federal agencies to encourage positive government-to-government relations.  Our attorneys have represented our tribal clients at the state and federal level on matters involving the judicial, legislative and administrative branches of those governments.

Our firm is aware of the challenges that both Indian and non-Indian clients face when they deal with the uncertainty of tribal, state, and federal regulatory and jurisdiction issues concerning Indian Country and Indian transactions.

SOVEREIGNTY:  Chestnut Law Offices represented the San Juan Pueblo Gaming Commision in a successful defense of the limited waiver of sovereign immunity in the 2001 Gaming Compact.  See Kosiba v. San Juan Pueblo, 2006-NMCA-057.  We participate in the Tribal Supreme Court Project as counsel for Tribal Amici in state and federal cases to protect Indian tribal sovereignty issues.

TRIBAL SELF-DETERMINATION:  Chestnut Law Offices works with tribal clients to assist them in drafting tribal laws and policies consistent with individual Pueblo customs and beliefs.  Attorneys also help tribal clients understand and comment on federal laws, regulations, and policies that may affect the ability of tribal governments to direct the future of their lands and people.