Best Lawyers in America for Native American Law

Eric N. Dahlstrom is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Gaming Law and Native American Law. Eric N., who practices law in Tempe, Arizona, has been recognized since 2005. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Eric N. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Edward Ayoob is a partner and the co-chair of the Federal Relations Group in Barnes & Thornburg's Washington, D.C., office. His work on behalf of clients includes areas such as taxation, appropriations, Native American, small business, foreign affairs, and various regulatory concerns, among numerous other issues. Edward is the former legislative counsel, tax counsel, appropriations manager, and foreign affairs adviser to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). He was also the senat...

Troy A. Eid, the former U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado, is a principal shareholder in the firm's Denver office. He has wide-ranging experience in complex federal, state and tribal litigation at the administrative, trial and appellate court level. Mr. Eid also handles a wide range of sensitive commercial transactions and disputes that require statutory, regulatory or administrative approval. Recent examples include: Spearheading the statutory review and community participation proc...

Brian Nichols’ practice is primarily in federal Indian law and litigation, including tribal courts, with focuses on energy, natural resources, transportation and employment. His experience includes: Lead counsel in trials in federal, state, and tribal courts. Lead negotiator in labor negotiations. Advising and negotiating for clients with tribal nations. Consulting with clients doing or considering business on or with tribal nations. Brian has advised clients including BHP Billiton, Uni...

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...

Christine V. Williams is an adjunct law professor on Government Contracting at Seattle University School of Law’s Alaska Campus. She is widely recognized for her deep experience in the Government Contracting field and speaks nationally several times a year on the subject. Christine has admission to a diversity of courts, including various federal circuit courts of appeals, where she has prevailed. Christine concentrates her practice on Government Contracting from counseling on qualifica...

Timothy C. Seward is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Native American Law. Timothy C., who practices law in Sacramento, California, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Timothy 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.

Michael L. Roy is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Native American Law. Michael L., 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 Michael 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...

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...

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...

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.

James T. Meggesto is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Native American Law. James T., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jill Grant, the principal member of Jill Grant & Associates, LLC, has extensive background in environmental, administrative, and federal Indian law. Before starting her own law firm, Ms. Grant was a partner in private practice, representing Indian tribes on environmental and federal Indian law issues. Previously Ms. Grant wasan attorney at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of General Counsel, where she was on the team that drafted the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 and wo...

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...