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Federal Indian Law is the primary practice of Smith & Jolly, LLC. Our attorneys all have a wide range of experience in Federal Indian Law in the representation of Indian tribes, their instrumentalities, and their economic enterprises. Some of the areas of Federal Indian Law which we routinely practice are:

• The extent of tribal, state, and federal jurisdiction both on and off-reservation
• The applicability to tribes of federal laws of general applicability, such as COBRA, Occupational Safety and Health Act ("OSHA"), ERISA, and the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") and other civil right laws, and approaching such issues in a manner which protects tribal sovereignty and self-government
• The development and strengthening of tribal self-government and self-determination
• The establishment and structure of tribal agencies, departments, and other governmental subdivisions of a tribe as well as economic enterprises of a tribe, including tribal corporations
• Drafting of resolutions and ordinances and development of tribal codes
• Development of procedures for handling both general and particular matters
• Drafting of legal opinions on issues facing tribes, tribal agencies, and tribal economic enterprises
• Dealing with issues of recognition of tribal acts, orders, and judgments by state authorities

All of Smith & Jolly's attorneys are well versed in all areas of Indian law. Over the years, we have gained experience in Indian law too broad to completely list here. But, we do not provide "generic" or "one size fits all" representation. We believe very strongly that the representation of any Indian nation must include proper consideration of the nation's unique history, culture, traditions, and interests. Only in doing so can a tribe's self-determination and self-government truly be exercised and effective legal representation be provided.

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INDIAN LAW UPDATES

Interior Proposes Insulting Settlement of Trust Fund Litigation

This week, the United States proposed paying $7 billion to settle the Cobell trust litigation - less than the $8 billion being considered by the previous Congress. Under the terms of the government's proposal,... more »

San Manuel v. NLRB, D.C. Cir. (Feb. 9, 2007)

On February 9, 2007, the District of Columbia Circuit handed down its decision in San Manuel v. NLRB. The D.C. Circuit held that the National Labor Relations Act ("NLRA") applies to Indian tribes... more »

Bush Proposes to Slash Indian Health Care, Education, and Housing Funding

Although the Bush Administration's proposed 2008 budget purports to include a modest increase in overall funding for Indian programs, it includes glaring cuts in Indian health care for Indians residing... more »

Settling IIM Trust Mismanagement Alone Not Option

Indian country's refusal to agree to the Bush Administration's disgusting proposal to settle the Cobell litigation was more than the correct response. However, it is seeming more and more that the... more »