Donald R Pongrace > Akin > Washington DC, United States > Lawyer Profile

Akin
Robert S. Strauss Tower
2001 K Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20006-1037
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
United States
Donald R Pongrace photo

Work Department

Partner; Lobbying & Public Policy

Position

Chair of Akin’s American Indian policy & regulation practice; advises and represents tribal clients on complex private, and government-to-government negotiations, including land and water claims, gaming compacts, development projects, transportation infrastructure and rights of way, among others; represents clients in negotiations, federal, state and tribal courts, and before federal agencies and the U.S. Congress.

To learn more about Don, please visit his full profile: https://www.akingump.com/en/lawyers-advisors/donald-r-pongrace.html

Memberships

District of Columbia Bar.

Education

BA (magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa), Bates College (1979); JD (magna cum laude), American University (1985); law clerk, Honorable HE Widener Jr, US Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit (1985-86).

Lawyer Rankings

United States > Industry focus > Native American law

(Leading lawyers)

Donald R Pongrace  — Akin

Based in Washington DC, Akin acts for Indian tribes across a myriad of issues with tribal sovereignty and self-sufficiency at its core. Practice head Donald R Pongrace has vast experience representing tribal clients in complex private and governmental negotiations and, most recently, acted as principal negotiator in addressing the Colorado River drought crisis on a Basin-wide basis. Drawing on previous experience working within tribal governments, Congress and the relevant federal agencies such as the Interior Department and National Indian Gaming Commission, the team is adept in advising tribal governments on sovereignty issues, economic development, and land and water rights settlements. Allison Binney, who previously served as chief counsel to the U.S Senate Committee on Indian Affairs is the key contact for land, tax, and gaming matters and routinely defends tribal government before tribal courts and federal agencies. Jason Hauter’s practice focuses on economic development and business entity formation and governance- prior to joining the firm, he served as in-house counsel for the Gila River Indian Community.