-
06.26.14
Don't “Waive” Goodbye to Sovereign Immunity…
By: Christopher R. Scott | Intern Theodore J. Griswold | Partner | ted.griswold@procopio.com For those of us interested in the more wonky corners of the profession, there is an ever-expanding jurisdictional split on the horizon at the intersection of Civil Procedure and Federal Indian law. As one of those enthusiasts, I found this most recent case to be fascinating both for its approach to Federal Indian Law generally and its take on sovereign immunity. The United States District Court for the E...
Read More -
06.23.14
Attorney General's Indian Country Fellowship
By: Stephanie Conduff | Law Clerk | stephanie.conduff@procopio.com Theodore J. Griswold | Partner | ted.griswold@procopio.com The Department of Justice has created an opportunity in Indian Country worthy of serious praise. Prosecutors have the best shot at helping people. They are positioned to assist our people into more empowering places – restorative justice programs – including federal court programs for veterans. For example, the U.S. District Court in Roanoke, Virginia, began its Vet...
Read More -
06.18.14
The Idea of Indians
By: Eric Abeita | Intern Theodore J. Griswold | Partner | ted.griswold@procopio.com During the NBA Finals, a television ad was aired that opposed using Native Americans as mascots, specifically targeted to the Washington Football Team.[1] The ad stated that Native Americans refer to themselves in many ways, “Indomitable, strong, Inuit, Blackfoot,” but they don’t refer to themselves as the R- word. It was particularly powerful in that it did not specifically state that R- word, but ended wi...
Read More -
06.16.14
Appreciating the Opportunity
By: Theodore J. Griswold | Partner | ted.griswold@procopio.com Procopio recently had the pleasure of being one of the sponsors of the Inter Tribal Sports Golf Tournament at Pechanga. Beautiful day, magnificent course, and great company. Our golf was not legendary, but it was a great way to support ITS along with other sponsors Pechanga, Pala, Sycuan and the Randy Jones Invitational. We appreciate the opportunity to give back to the community we work with. That got me thinking about som...
Read More -
06.12.14
Opportunities and Threats to Indian Country Business: E-Commerce and Tribal Sovereignty
By: Christopher Scott | Intern Theodore J. Griswold | Partner | ted.griswold@procopio.com Many tribal governments are in serious need of economic development avenues. As sovereign nations within U.S. borders, they have the inherent authority to bypass laws and regulations that regulate business relationships with non-tribal online retailers, tech start-ups, and even larger digitally-focused companies interested in hospitable climates for expansion. E-commerce, once a fledgling industry, is on ...
Read More -
06.10.14
On the Obvious Superiority of the Summer Intern Mind
By: Theodore J. Griswold | Partner | ted.griswold@procopio.com As seasoned attorneys, sometimes we don't ponder enough. We are busy. With experience, we have seen it before, and that experience allows for faster solutions for the client (and begets higher billing rates). This has worked before, so this is a good solution. However, is that going to be the best solution for the issue to be resolved? Maybe, because you came up with it previously, and you must have had good reasoning . ...
Read More -
06.05.14
Congratulations Judge Sykes for Re-election to Riverside County Superior Court Bench!
By: Jaclyn A. Simi | Attorney Theodore J. Griswold | Partner | ted.griswold@procopio.com In December 2013, Governor Jerry Brown appointed attorney Sunshine Sykes as the first-ever Native American woman on the Riverside County Superior Court Bench. Just 4 months later, her seat was challenged. This week, the Riverside County voters reaffirmed her selection by re-electing Judge Sykes to the bench with 68.81% of the vote! Judge Sykes is a member of the Navajo Nation and has nearly 15 years of broad...
Read More -
06.04.14
Cherokee Nation Citizen Confirmed as Ambassador
By: Stephanie Conduff | Law Clerk | stephanie.conduff@procopio.com Theodore J. Griswold | Partner | ted.griswold@procopio.com I am encouraged that the State Department will have the insight of a Native person to guide them in decisions regarding indigenous peoples. Today the U.S. Senate confirmed Cherokee Nation citizen Keith Harper as the country’s ambassador to the United Nations Human Rights Council. Nominated by President Barack Obama in 2013, Harper will be one of the few Native Americans...
Read More -
05.30.14
Welcome to Procopio’s Blogging Circle
By: Theodore J. Griswold | Partner | ted.griswold@procopio.com Blogging Circle is intended to provide updates on regional, and sometimes beyond regional, legal happenings—cases, legislation, rulemaking and policy moves—that affect the Native American Communities that we serve. The idea is to report on these activities and what they mean to Tribal Governments and their citizens. And sometimes we will report on what the happenings mean to us. The authors will be varied—attorneys work...
Read More