Morgan Weber on left talking to Evan Thompson

With an Extensive Indian Law Practice, We Represent Tribes, Tribal Entities, and Insurance Providers in a Wide Variety of Litigation Matters, and Additionally Provide General Counsel Services.

Indian Law Attorneys for Insurance Defense Matters and General Counsel

BKBH represents tribes, tribal entities, tribal businesses, and individuals in a wide range of Indian law-related issues in tribal, state, and federal jurisdictions across the Northwest.

We have extensive experience assisting tribes and tribal entities in navigating the often-complex issues related to Indian Law, jurisdictional conflicts, and tribal government.  BKBH attorneys Michael Rausch and Evan Thompson focus much of their respective practices on Indian Law and tribal court practice, and are licensed in twelve tribal jurisdictions across the Northwest, including six tribal jurisdictions within Montana. Mr. Rausch and Mr. Thompson have over thirty years of combined litigation experience, and they are the co-authors of the article Tribal Sovereign Immunity, Its Origins and Development.[1]  Additionally, Mr. Thompson’s recent work includes assisting tribes develop new legal code for various matters.

Insurance Defense Litigation Before Tribal Courts

Much of our Indian Law practice is devoted to insurance defense litigation before tribal courts and tribal appellate courts involving personal injury and employment-related matters. In this regard, we frequently represent tribes, tribal entities, and tribal officials and employees who have been sued.

With a detailed understanding of tribal sovereign immunity and how to assert it as a defense in claims against a tribe, we have had significant successes in tribal court, tribal appellate courts, and in federal courts representing tribes.  We are also well-versed in tribal jurisdictional issues, which can sometimes also be asserted successfully in obtaining a desired outcome.

General Counsel Services

In additional to insurance defense litigation representation, we also provide general counsel and advisory services for tribes and tribal entities.  Our general counsel and advisory services focus on a number of tribal matters, including:

  • Tribal employment,
  • Indian water law,
  • Gaming,
  • Mineral rights,
  • Leases,
  • Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance (TERO),
  • Land transfers,
  • General consulting,
  • General litigation, including litigation concerning construction matters,
  • Estate planning, and
  • Lobbying on behalf of tribal interests.

BKBH’s capabilities in Indian law, coupled with our civil law practice areas and general experience, make us well-equipped to handle any Indian law civil issues that may arise.


[1] Published in the March, 2020 edition of “For the Defense”, a DRI publication.

 

Representative Matters

  • Insurance Defense Litigation Representation
  • Employment Counsel & Advice
  • Gaming
  • Leasing & Real Estate Matters
  • General Litigation Representation

Practice Contacts