Practice Areas & Industries: Holland & Hart LLP

Practice/Industry Group Overview

Recognizing the unique and often complex nature of Indian Law, Holland & Hart established an Indian Law Practice Group in 1999. The purpose and mission of this practice group is to provide the highest quality of legal services to Indian tribes, organizations and individuals in the form of advice and representation in litigation, business, natural resources and environmental law.  Representing tribes, as well as industry and government, group attorneys are prepared to advise tribal and non-tribal parties in transactions, litigation and government affairs.

Services Available

Indian Law Litigation

Holland & Hart has a long-standing reputation for representing clients in a wide range of litigation, and the firm's litigation and appellate specialists are available to represent Indian tribes, organizations, and individuals in every aspect and phase of Indian Law litigation.  Backed by a full-service litigation department, attorneys in the Indian Law Practice Group have experience in matters involving the protection of treaty reserved rights, damage claims subject to treaty reserved fishing rights, gaming, FERC licensing, criminal and civil jurisdiction of Indian tribes, federal and state jurisdiction, reservation diminishment, and civil rights, among other areas unique to the group's clients.

Complementing our experienced trial and appellate counsel, Holland & Hart remains on the cutting edge of the use of technology to enhance litigation, developing exhibits, computerized litigation support, and visual displays.  Our in-house graphics department, communication consultants, and document management group help ensure only the most effective case presentation for our clients.

Indian Law also necessitates a wide range of experience in other matters unique to Indian Law, outside of litigation.  Attorneys in the Indian Law Practice Group have extensive experience in drafting tribal code provisions, regulations, policy and procedure manuals, legislation and other documents critical to the effective operation of tribal governments.  We can also advise and assist with many aspects of modern tribal governance, including tribal sovereignty, business enterprises and transactions, gaming operations, law enforcement, jurisdiction, energy projects, land acquisition, Endangered Species Act issues, reservation diminishment, and taxation.

Holland & Hart has represented, and is currently representing, Indian tribes, organizations, and individuals throughout the United States.  Representative matters include:

• assisted tribe in placing acreage into trust to become a part of its reservation and eventually be developed as a gaming site
• advised tribe on provisions of the Indian Giving Regulatory Act in connection with casino construction, financing and operation
• represented tribe in lawsuit to reclaim acreage
• advised tribe in working with the United States Department of the Interior to secure acreage for development
• advised state government entity on litigation filed by a tribe seeking reclamation of state land
• advised non-tribe party on tax aspects of engaging in various types of transactions with Indian tribes and their entities