I recently got to speak on a great panel about what it means to practice law in Indian Country, “Tribal Practice: Perspective from Tribal Judges and Practitioners.” It was fun to reconnect with my co-presenters, all of whom I’ve worked…
The Minnesota Supreme Court recently agreed with my client, the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (the “Band”), that under state law, groundwater is to be regulated as Class 1 drinking water. While the decision specifically affirms Minnesota…
I’m proud to be on the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa’s legal team in this first-in-Minnesota tribal appeal of an off-reservation water discharge permit. The Minnesota Court of Appeals has granted a portion of the Band’s appeal…
Last night I attended the amazing annual event that is the Indian Horse Relay and Market at Canterbury Downs, hosted by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. It was great to spend time there with the good folks of Native-owned general…
Pictured: New SWO Associate Judge Sara K. Van Norman (on right) being sworn in. Last week, I traveled to Agency Village on the Lake Traverse Indian Reservation in northeastern South Dakota to be sworn in and hear my first cases…
The not-for-profit American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) is the go-to resource to find qualified neutrals—including (and maybe especially) for construction projects. This is just one reason that I’m delighted to announce that I’ve been invited to join the AAA National Roster…
There is one summer event around which I’ve postponed family vacations. For which I’ve missed fun, out-of-town conferences. For which I even rescheduled a move. That’s Northern Spark, a free, all-night, public arts festival that takes place in the Twin…
As an attorney working in Indian country, I get questions not only about Indian law, but also about tribes, current tribal issues, and Native people in general. I do my best to respond to these questions thoughtfully—while also acknowledging the…