Native American Law

For “American Indian” tribes, tribally owned businesses, and companies doing business in Native American territories, Native American law encompasses a host of complicated legal issues, including sovereign immunity, civil jurisdiction, energy, environmental, and tax treatment.

Porter Hedges is one of the few firms in Texas and the United States that handles a wide variety of matters for both tribes and companies. We are sensitive to the particular legal and political realities, whether based in treaty, statute, contract or otherwise. And we are adept at analyzing and applying federal, state, or tribal law.

Our team has long experience working for several tribes and companies across the U.S., including a partner who is active in the State Bar of Texas Native American Law Section and previously served as an adjunct professor in this field. We have hands-on experience dealing with this unique and often misunderstood area of law. Because of this involvement, we can understand the issues and skillfully represent your interests.

Among our services in Native American law are the following:

• Advising tribes on critical issues of sovereignty and jurisdiction.
• Representing companies doing business with American Indian tribes and tribal business enterprises.
• Negotiating specific details of transactions, including limited waivers of sovereign immunity, choices of law issues, and venue clauses.
• Identifying available business incentives and structures to American Indian tribes, tribal business enterprises, and companies for purposes of expanding economic development.
• Maintaining long-standing relationships with tribes, tribal organizations, and other experienced practitioners across the U.S.
• Drafting tribal resolutions, laws, and ordinances.
• Structuring, creating, and advising tribal court systems.
• Advising on tribal governance, election, membership, and employment matters.