Based in Washington DC, the Native American practice at Dentons has a strong track record acting for tribal governments and businesses on all matters relating to federal Indian law, particularly high-stakes litigation and land acquisitions. Overseen by Heather Sibbison, the team includes a number of former senior officials at the Department of the Interior, the Department of Justice, and the National Indian Gaming Commission, and has vast expertise assisting Indian tribes with their engagements with the federal government. Counsel Samuel Daughety is the key name for matters regarding the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and regularly appears before the courts and represents clients in arbitration proceedings. He also advises tribes on water rights, water settlement issues, and economic development projects. Also recommended is counsel Suzanne Schaeffer, who has over three decades of experience in matters relating to Indian lands, claims, and trusts. She also has particular expertise in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and is regularly involved in land acquisitions for both gaming and non-gaming purposes. On the associate level, Rose Petoskey is 'an asset to the team' and handles trust acquisitions and compliance matters.

Dykema Gossett PLLC's Michigan-based Native American practice has strength in the casino gaming industry and the establishment of casinos on Indian lands and around Detroit. Managed by Lance Boldrey, who has experience in transactional work related to tribal-state gaming matters, the group represents tribes, banks, investors, and businesses on financing agreements and matters involving the National Indian Gaming Commission. Transactional lawyer Jason Hanselman is a core member of the team and specializes in commercial and tribal gaming projects across Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, New York, California, and Hawaii. He is experienced in acting for tribes in financing agreements. The firm also has experience in tribal governmental representation where it is regularly involved in the drafting of constitutional ordinances for groups.

Led out of Washington DC, Jenner & Block LLP's Native American practice has an impressive track record acting for tribal governments, businesses, and individuals in a wide range of litigation matters, sensitive internal investigations, and high-end financial transactions. The group is managed by two new joiners from Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton: Charles Galbraith, who served in the Obama administration as Associate Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, and Keith Harper, who also has deep expertise across federal Indian law. The duo have appeared before all levels of the court, including tribal, state, and federal courts. Among its recent highlights, the team secured a US Supreme Court victory for a tribal client reflected in the McGirt decision; that matter was led by Ian Heath Gershengorn, who heads the firm's appellate and Supreme Court team. Also in the team is skilled litigator Zachary Schauf, who represents Indian tribes before the Department of Interior in sovereign immunity issues, gaming rights, and reservation matters.

WilmerHale's Native American law practice is singled out for its handling of high-stakes litigation mandates for tribal governments and nations at all levels of the judiciary, including the US Supreme Court. Fielding a coast-to-coast presence, the group is jointly managed by Seth Waxman in DC and Ken Salazar in Denver, and has considerable expertise advising on tribal issues including the cultural preservation of sacred sites, protection of natural resources, and land-into-trust matters. Salazar is note din particular for his expertise in energy, environmental, and natural resources matters, and is the key contact for conservation issues and development. The group also handles tribal self-determination matters. Another name to note in Washington DC is co-chair of the firm's appellate and Supreme Court litigation practice Danielle Spinelli, who handles administrative proceedings for Native American tribes relating to land-into-trust, gaming, and jurisdictional issues. In a representative matter, Spinelli and Christopher Babbitt secured a victory for the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians at the Ninth Circuit which ruled in favor of gaming on the tribe's land. Elsewhere, Michael Connor who splits his time between DC and Denver, specializes in water rights and protection of Indian resources. Counsel Kevin Lamb focuses on complex commercial disputes for tribal clients and maintains a busy pro bono practice focused on anti-discrimination law.