Overview

Our attorneys understand the unique challenges facing Indian Country and Alaska Native Corporations, and provide strong legal representation and strategic advice to these clients.

Indian Country: Led by one of the country’s most experienced practitioners of environmental Native American law, our team is known for its deep understanding of the regulations and frameworks that impact reservation and Indian trust land. We work to protect natural resources, develop critical infrastructure, preserve tribal sovereignty, and enhance tribal governance.

We serve as outside general counsel to several tribes and advise many others on tribal enterprises involving real estate, economic development, business formation and federal government contracting, transactions, and tax planning.

We advise tribes on government programs such as the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development and HUBZone programs, and federal funding opportunities such as the American Rescue Plan and tribal broadband grant programs.

We are recognized for our deep knowledge of the regulations and regulatory frameworks that impact reservation and Indian trust land. We draft tribal codes, provide advice on implementation and enforcement, and counsel tribes concerning governance and sovereignty.

Alaska Native Corporations: Schwabe supports Alaska Native Corporations, which serve their Alaska Native shareholders by working to maximize their economic growth, protect ancestral lands, preserve Alaska Native cultures, and enhance their communities.

We advise Alaska Native Corporations and their subsidiaries on a wide range of issues, including government contracting; shareholder relations and corporate governance; business transactions; Small Business Administration business development programs, such the SBA’s 8(a) and HUBZone programs; land use and royalty agreements; tax; mergers and acquisitions; real estate; risk management; litigation; shareholder rights; employment; and labor relations.

We have recognized experience in the creation, operation, and leveraging of Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA), ANCSA Settlement Trusts and lands matters, and the significant tax benefits that such Settlement Trusts can provide to Alaska Native Corporations and their shareholders.