Van Norman Law Discusses Land Back on Native America Calling

I recently had the chance to talk to the great, nationally-syndicated radio show Native America Calling (May 13, 2024). For my portion, I talk about land back projects–or return of land to tribes. I go over a project I’ve done…

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Watch Sara V.’s Recent Panel Talk on Indian Country Law Practice

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…

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A Good Day for Clean Water: Fond du Lac Wins at the Minnesota Supreme Court in Minntac

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…

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A Win for Minnesota’s Wild Rice Waters: Fond du Lac Prevails on Key Aspect of Minntac NPDES Appeal

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…

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Sara has been appointed Associate Judge of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribal Court in South Dakota.

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…

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Sara is now a AAA Arbitrator and Mediator

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…

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