Best Lawyers in America for Native American Law

Mr. Tobin joined the Firm in 1968 and became a partner in 1970. His involvement in a number of prominent cases at both the state and federal level during this time helped to expand the Firm’s litigation practice. Today, he practices extensively in the areas of corporate, commercial, gaming and Indian law, appellate, personal injury and wrongful death and general litigation. Mr. Tobin has lectured before the Connecticut Bar Association and is a Connecticut Superior Court Trial Referee.

Rebecca L. Kidder is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Native American Law. Rebecca L., who practices law in Rapid City, South Dakota, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Rebecca L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Rob has served as legal counsel and as business and financial advisor to Native American governments and their enterprises since 1983. His professional practice has included service as outside general counsel and advisor in business and financial transactions for federally recognized Indian tribes and businesses throughout the country. Current clients of Rob’s include Tribes such as the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and Four Winds Casino Resort, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Natio...

Steve D. Osborne is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Native American Law. Steve D., who practices law in Portland, Oregon, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Steve D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sarah Stevenson is a shareholder in the Natural Resources Department and a litigator representing public entities and private businesses. Her natural resources experience focuses on water law, including water adjudications and interstate water compacts, and Native American law, including natural resource development projects on Native American land. She has advised clients developing projects on Native American land on issues regarding indigenous rights, jurisdiction, and contract formation. ...

Philip Baker-Shenk is a partner in our firm's Indian Law Practice Group and our Entertainment Law Practice Group. He provides legal and policy representation to dozens of Native American Indian Tribal governments as well as Tribal organizations and companies doing business with Indian Tribes. Mr. Baker-Shenk began working on behalf of Indian Tribes in our Nation's capital in 1976. For half a decade, he served as staff in the U.S. Senate, including two years as Majority General Counsel to Indi...

Lauren works with Alaska Native corporations, private entities, and other businesses in managing their corporate affairs, real estate transactions, Alaska Native law issues, mergers and acquisitions, and other transactional work. Lauren also works with tribes, municipalities, and individuals on a regular basis to meet their business and transactional needs.

Edmund Clay Goodman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Native American Law. Edmund Clay, who practices law in Portland, Oregon, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Edmund Clay is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Deana Bennett’s practice is focused on natural resource development on public and tribal lands. Deana’s experience includes permitting and environmental compliance efforts under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Clean Air Act (CAA), and other related federal statutes. She has worked on a number of utility matters, and her experience includes working with renewable resource developers with siting issues on public, tribal, state, and...

Jerry C. Straus is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Gaming Law and Native American Law. Jerry C., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jerry C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Geoffrey D. Strommer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Native American Law. Geoffrey D., who practices law in Portland, Oregon, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Geoffrey D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Lisa M. McKnight is one of six founding lawyers of Salmon, Lewis & Weldon, P.L.C., specializing in natural resources law, environmental law, Indian law, and water rights litigation. Ms. McKnight’s practice focuses on environmental matters, particularly litigation and administrative agency proceedings under the Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and other federal laws affecting the use of land, water and other natural resources. From the inception of her l...

Daniel I.S.J. Rey-Bear is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Native American Law. Daniel I.S.J., who practices law in Spokane, Washington, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Daniel I.S.J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Nicole M. Elliott is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Native American Law and Tax Law. Nicole M., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nicole M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Universally considered to be among the country's premier Supreme Court and appellate advocates, Seth Waxman served as Solicitor General of the United States from 1997 through January 2001. In addition to leading the firm's appellate practice, Mr. Waxman engages in a broad litigation and counseling practice, with particular emphasis on complex challenges involving governments or public policy, intellectual property, regulatory, criminal and commercial issues.

Daniel Volchok's practice focuses on appellate litigation involving various areas of federal and state law, including arbitration, bankruptcy, civil rights, contracts, criminal law, due process, free speech, intellectual property, military law, Native American issues, preemption and tax. Mr. Volchok has filed numerous merits and amicus briefs in the US Supreme Court as well as state and federal appellate courts, and also participated in successful efforts to obtain or oppose certiorari.