Smith & Jolly, LLC is a full-service law firm focusing on providing the highest quality of legal representation to Indian tribes and their instrumentalities. In its practice of Indian law, Smith & Jolly, LLC follows a philosophy of dedication and loyalty to Indian nations and their interests. Thus, Smith & Jolly, LLC has chosen to avoid representing any interests which are opposed to the interests of Indian nations. Smith & Jolly, LLC's dedication to Indian law and representing Indian nations stems from a deep commitment to tribal sovereignty, self-determination, and self-government. At Smith & Jolly, sovereignty, self-government, and self-determination are not simply words, but fundamental principles which our attorneys consistently seek to uphold and strengthen. It is our firm position that, in the practice of law generally and Indian law in particular, representing parties against Indian nations or taking on representation contrary to the interests of Indian nations, even if ethically permitted, is a direct conflict with our dedication to the principles of tribal sovereignty and self-determination and disloyal to our tribal clients. It is this dedication to Indian nations and the principles of tribal sovereignty, self-determination, and self-government that forms the foundation of our law firm.

In its Indian law practice, Smith & Jolly prides itself on responsiveness to its clients' needs and a recognition of the uniqueness of each of our tribal clients. Our attorneys understand the innumerable differences amongst tribal communities, not just in terms of culture and tradition, but also economies, organization, values, history, and social and governmental structure. As a result, our work in Indian law is tailored to each of our clients in a manner that serves them best and responds to their specific needs and priorities. At the same time, we can pull on all of our attorneys' experience in Indian law, tribal law, and other areas of law to work efficiently and cost-effectively.

The attorneys at Smith & Jolly, LLC have extensive experience in Indian law working for tribal governments, tribal instrumentalities, and Native American organizations. Our attorneys have developed vast experience in general tribal governmental matters, such as jurisdictional issues, land issues, taxation matters, tribal courts, 638 contracting, tribal laws, tribal courts, the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). We have dealt with gaming regulatory, compact, and operational matters and represented tribes in employment and personnel matters, such as Fair Labor Standards Act issues, unemployment insurance benefits, and COBRA as well as architect, engineering, and construction projects and contracts. You can view more detailed information about our main practice areas, by clicking on any of the following links:

• General Federal Indian Law
• Government Relations
• Statute & Regulation Drafting
• Contracts & Agreements
• Indian Gaming
• Tribal Housing
• Commercial Transactions & Economic Development
• Real Estate & Land Issues
• Human Resources & Employment
• Indian Child Welfare Act
• Enrollment & Membership
• Tribal, Federal, & State Taxation
• Tribal Health Services
• Tribal Schools
• Tribal Law Enforcement

In addition to tribal government representation, our attorneys have represented many tribal economic enterprises, including hotels and resorts, gaming enterprises, convenience stores, hardware stores, and sand and gravel operations. Our attorneys are experienced in litigation in federal, state, and tribal courts as well as transactional work, such as contracts, drafting tribal codes, and providing legal opinions and advice to tribal governing bodies and departments.

If you have any questions about our services or would like more information, do not hesitate to contact us.

INDIAN LAW UPDATES

Morongo Confirms it Will Host Democratic Debate

The Morongo Band of Mission Indians has confirmed that it has been selected to host the first ever Indian country Democratic presidential candidate debate. The debate will be held at the Tribe's Morongo... 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 »

Supreme Court Denies Sovereign Immunity Case

The Supreme Court denied cert in Burrell v. Armijo, a 10th Circuit case involving tribal sovereign immunity. The suit was brought by non-Indians who leased land from the Santa Ana Pueblo. The lessees... more »

Agua Caliente Band Seeks Reconsideration of Immunity Decision

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians filed a petition with the California Supreme Court to reconsider its 4-3 decision holding that Indian tribes do not have sovereign immunity from suits brought... more »