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Native American Law

The attorneys in our Native American Practice Group have a wealth of experience and expertise in representing and counseling tribes and tribal-affiliated clients in a wide range of legal matters. We routinely provide these clients with corporate, environmental, intergovernmental negotiation, litigation, intellectual property, employment, real estate, construction, fee-to-trust and regulatory expertise.

We understand and are sensitive to the unique interests of Native American tribal governments and the nuances of their legal status, including principles of tribal sovereignty and immunity, and are committed to providing the highest level of legal services in a multifaceted and regulated world.

We also serve as trusted advisors to tribal clients on matters relating to:

  • Planning for and protection of natural and cultural resources
  • Intergovernmental negotiations and agreements
  • Real estate acquisition and development
  • Financing and construction of facilities
  • Reservation land use plans
  • Creation and implementation of tribal regulatory programs
  • Endangered Species Act, Section 404 and Clean Water Act permitting for tribes
  • Fee-to-trust transfers
  • Reservation boundary defense
  • Water rights and Water District Agreements
  • Tribal Environmental Impact Reports
  • Tribal Access and Indian Roads

Native American Law Resources

Partnership with California Indian Legal Services

Procopio's Native American Law Practice Group is proud to announce its co-counsel relationship with California Indian Legal Services (CILS). CILS is the first Indian-controlled law firm organized to provide specialized legal representation to Indians and Indian tribes. CILS provides free or low-cost representation on those matters that fall within the priorities set by its Board of Trustees. Created by California Indian leaders and public interest attorneys, CILS has been one of the pre-eminent advocates for the rights of Native Americans and Indian Tribes for over forty years. Procopio's attorneys are providing CILS and its clients additional pro bono legal expertise in litigation, property rights, protection of cultural resources and other matters throughout California. CILS is supported by grants, namely the Legal Services Corporation and the State Bar of California, private foundations, and individual and corporate contributors as well as contracts from a host of California's 109 federally recognized Indian Tribes. Procopio is excited to be a part of this public interest collaboration serving the Native American Community. For more information, contact Procopio's Native American Practice Group Leader, Ted Griswold at ted.griswold@procopio .com.

Procopio Native American Law Internship

Procopio has a long standing tradition of providing growth opportunities to the community we serve. With the establishment of the Native American Practice Group, we extend this tradition specifically to the Southern California Native American Community.  The Native American Law Internship provides an opportunity for a Native American Law Student, or Law Student emphasizing Native American Law the opportunity to gain hands-on experience dealing with everyday legal issues facing the Native American Community.

The intern assists with specific Indian law related legal practice matters and other legal problems which do not raise inter-tribal or intra-tribal issues. The intern will conduct legal research on various Native American matters for Tribal Clients and pro bono matters affecting Indian country and gain experience working in a law firm. Projects may include the development of programs for Tribes that they can use in their governmental operations, including Tribal Histories, Program Audits and development, strategies for cultural resource protection and legislative and rulemaking review and analysis.

Applicants for the Native American Law Internship should have completed at least their first year of law school prior to the internship. There will be a single annual internship position which will typically last 8 to 10 weeks during the summer months. Interns are paid a stipend of $700 per week.  Applications for the 2012 summer internship should include a short cover letter expressing applicant’s interest in Native American Law, along with a brief resume and Law School transcript and should be sent to Ted Griswold (ted.griswold@procopio.com).

  • Learn more about the 2011 Native American Law Internship recipient here.
  • Learn more about the Winter 2012 Native American Law Internship recipient here.