Best Lawyers in America for Native American Law

Kenneth W. Parsons is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Native American Law. Kenneth W., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kenneth W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bill is a member of the Financial Services Practice Group and has significant experience in public financing, commercial and investment real estate lending and bankruptcy law. He represents financial institutions in a variety of commercial loans with Native American borrowers and has experience with related commercial lending issues such as waivers of sovereign immunity, submission to jurisdiction, governing law and trust lands.

Kaighn Smith Jr. has been fighting for Tribal Nations and their enterprises in the tribal, federal, and state courts and before federal administrative agencies across the country for over 30 years. He has garnered a national reputation for his committed advocacy for tribal sovereignty, winning cases in a wide range of areas, including jurisdiction disputes, gaming matters, labor and employment relations, and land-in-trust and environmental matters. He regularly teaches federal Indian law as a...

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

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

Walter brings more than thirty-five years of experience providing representation, advice and counsel to businesses and individuals in their dealings with Indian tribes and public land management agencies, like the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service and New Mexico State Land Office. Walter’s practice is focused on natural resources, energy and environmental law. Clients throughout the west and across the country seek Walter’s advice in matters involving transac...

Chair of the firm’s Natural Resources Department and the American Indian Law & Policy Group. Represents tribal nations, those doing business with tribes and western water districts. Proven ability to resolve natural resource and water disputes before Congress and the Department of the Interior. Ryan Smith represents tribes, water districts and corporations before Congress, the Department of the Interior and the courts on tribal issues and Western natural resource issues. He has sign...

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.

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...

Affie Ellis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Native American Law. Affie, who practices law in Cheyenne, Wyoming, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Affie is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Lynn Slade serves clients’ needs addressing Federal Indian law and Native American law, energy, natural resources, environmental law, project development, complex litigation and transactions for over 30 years. In his Indian law practice, Lynn advises and counsels natural resource and energy developers, financial institutions, utilities, and other businesses in transactions and project development, including extensive involvement with renewable energy projects. He also leads litigation t...

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

Rob Roy Edward Stuart Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Native American Law. Rob Roy Edward Stuart, who practices law in Seattle, Washington, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Rob Roy Edward Stuart is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

William E. Strickland, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Gaming Law and Native American Law. William E., who practices law in Tucson, Arizona, has been recognized since 2011. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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