Sarah Roubidoux Lawson
Overview
Sarah Lawson works with tribal governments and tribal entities to achieve self-governance and economic development goals while protecting tribal resources and sovereignty. Before joining Schwabe, Sarah spent over 10 years working in tribal government, advising tribal council and tribal departments on a variety of matters including contracts, real estate development, and legislation. Sarah’s work is particularly focused on tribal tax and real estate matters, including the fee-to-trust process, and she is widely regarded as an authority on issues involving Indian trust land.
Sarah understands the importance of bringing business to Indian Country to strengthen tribal economies. She frequently advises companies doing business in Indian Country, helping them navigate tribal and federal laws and contracts with tribal entities. She also works with tribes and tribal members on estate planning and probate matters. Sarah is an enrolled member of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska.
Experience
Experience
- Drafted various tribal codes, including, HEARTH Act leasing, probate, environmental enforcement, and site investigation code for environmental emergency response.
- Advised corporation on Indian trust land matters, including lease renewal, partition, and fractional interest acquisition.
- Advised numerous tribal governments on lease and right-of-way compliance issues, including breach of contract, violation of federal and tribal law, and the new federal leasing and right-of-way regulations.
- Represented tribal corporation in federal litigation defending its lease on tribal trust land.
- Assisted and advised numerous tribal corporations in business and finance transactions, including tax planning for a tribal Section 17 corporation’s acquisition of a state chartered corporation.
- Advised tribal government on federal low-income housing tax credit application and partnership.
- Prepared, submitted, and advised on fee-to-trust applications with the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
- Assisted tribal radio station with FCC licensing.
Memberships & Awards
Memberships
- American Bar Association Section on Environment, Energy, and Resources (SEER) Committee Articles Vice-Chair and Board Member (2021-present)
- National Native American Bar Association, Board of Directors (2020-present)
- Northwest Indian Bar Association, President (2016-present)
- Northwest Indian Bar Association, Governing Council (2012-present)
- National Tribal Land Association
- Tribal In-House Counsel Association, Secretary
- King County Bar Association Diversity Committee
Awards
- National Native American Law Students Association, Alumni of the Year (2005)
- Washington Rising Stars List, Native American Law (2017)
Resources & Ideas
News
- Tacoma News TribuneOctober 27, 2021
- February 4, 2021
- Law360July 9, 2020
- Law360December 16, 2019
- Law360July 29, 2019
- Law360March 20, 2019
- NW LawyerDecember 2018
- Law360November 2, 2018
- September 4, 2018
- July 3, 2018
- September 18, 2015
Seminars & Speaking Engagements
- The Seminar GroupJune 2, 2022
- 37th Annual Alaska Native Law ConferenceOctober 30, 2021
- Cares Act, Federal Mandates, & Carbon CreditsTax Executives InstituteSeptember 29, 2021
- American Bar AssociationNovember 10, 2020
- June 6, 2019
- Washington State Bar Association Indian Law SectionMay 10, 2019
Rights-of-Way in Indian Country, May 20-21, 2019
What Does the Future Hold for Tribal Governments Under the New Administration? A 2017 Update, May 18, 2017
Negotiating Contracts on Tribal Lands, May 11, 2017, Boise, ID
Taxation on Indian Trust Land, Tribal Land Staff Conference, March 21-23, 2017, Tamaya Resort, New Mexico
Leases on Indian Trust Land and the HEARTH Act, NBI Continuing Legal Ed, Boise, ID
Federal Indian Law
Indian National Finals Rodeo - Las Vegas, Nevada
Nov. 11, 2016
Contracting in Indian Country
NBI Continuing Legal Education
Oct. 22, 2016
Day-long CLE on Indian law and contracting with tribes and tribal organizations.
Instructor
Rights-of-Ways in Indian Country II
Falmouth Institute
Sept 26-28, 2016
Advanced course on rights-of-way on Indian land, Instructor
Federal Indian Probate, Inheritance, and Cultural Patrimony, ACTEC Rocky Mountain Regional Conference, Park City Utah, Sept. 9, 2016
Tribal Self-Governance
Intertribal Environmental Council Conference - Hard Rock Hotel, Tulsa, OK
July 19-21, 2016
State Taxation of Indian Trust Land; Tulalip Tribes v. Smith – Spokane County Bar Association Indian Law Conference
Rights-of-Way in Indian Country – Idaho State Bar Association Indian Law Section CLE
Publications
- Daily Journal of CommerceFebruary 17, 2023
- September 10, 2021
- April 28, 2021
- The Regulatory ReviewApril 1, 2021
- October 12, 2020
- August 19, 2020
- July 17, 2020
- Washington State Bar NewsSpring 2020
- March 26, 2020
- March 25, 2020
- March 24, 2020
- January 16, 2018
- October 30, 2017
- October 6, 2017
- September 25, 2017
- American Bar Association: Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources - Native American Resources Committee Newsletter, June 2017
- October 17, 2016
- Law 360, November 13, 2015
Community Activities
Community Activities
- Northwest Indian Bar Association
- Tribal In-House Counsel Association
- National Tribal Land Association
- King County Bar Association Diversity Committee
- Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights, Washington State Judicial Diversity Program
- Red Eagle Soaring Native Youth Theater Board of Directors
- Leadership Tomorrow, Class of 2014
- Seattle University School of Law, Center for Indian Law and Policy Executive Council
- Adjunct Faculty, Seattle University School of Law Center for Indian Law and Policy
- Appellate Judge, Northwest Intertribal Court System
Services
Education
- University of Washington School of LawMaster of Laws (LL.M.) Taxation
- University of Wisconsin School of LawJuris Doctor
- University of MichiganBachelor of Arts
Admissions
Arizona Federal District Court
Arizona State Courts
Navajo Nation
Oregon State Courts
Snoqualmie Tribal Court
Tohono O'Odham Tribal Court
Washington State Courts
Wisconsin State Courts
Outside The Office
- Anything on or near the water—surfing, paddle boarding, scuba diving or loading my dogs in the RV and heading to the beach.